Accretion of Extraterrestrial Matter Throughout Earth’s History

Accretion of Extraterrestrial Matter Throughout Earth’s History
Author: Bernhard Peucker-Ehrenbrink
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 484
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1441986944

Every year Earth is bombarded with about 40,000 tons of extraterrestrial material. This includes microscopic cosmic dust particles shed by comets and asteroids in outer space, meteorites, as well as large comets and asteroids that have led to catastrophic events in the geologic past. Originally considered only a curiosity, extraterrestrial matter found on Earth provides the only samples we have from comets, asteroids and other planets. Only recently mankind has started to actively collect extraterrestrial matter in space (Apollo program, Stardust mission) rather than to wait for its delivery to Earth. Still, most of our knowledge of the origin and evolution of our solar system is based on careful studies of meteorites, cosmic dust, and traces of large impact events in the geologic record such as the mass extinction that terminated the Cretaceous Period and led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. This book summarizes our current knowledge of the properties, origin, orbital evolution and accretion mechanism of extraterrestrial matter accreted on Earth and sheds light on accretion processes and fluxes in the geologic past. The chapters in the first part of the book are arranged in order to follow extraterrestrial matter from its origin in space, its orbital evolution on its way to Earth, its interaction with the Earth magnetosphere and atmosphere to its more or less violent collision with the Earth's surface. In the second part of the book several chapters deal with the present?day flux of cosmic dust and meteorites to Earth. Finally, several chapters deal with the reconstruction of the accretion history of extraterrestrial matter on Earth, starting with the most recent geologic past and ending with the very early, violent accretion period shortly after the formation of Earth, Moon and other solid planets in our solar system.

The Late Eocene Earth

The Late Eocene Earth
Author: Christian Koeberl
Publisher: Geological Society of America
Total Pages: 334
Release: 2009
Genre: Science
ISBN: 081372452X

The Late Eocene and the Eocene-Oligocene (E-O) transition mark the most profound oceanographic and climatic changes of the past 50 million years of Earth history, with cooling beginning in the middle Eocene and culminating in the major earliest Oligocene Oi-1 isotopic event. The Late Eocene is characterized by an accelerated global cooling, with a sharp temperature drop near the E-O boundary, and significant stepwise floral and faunal turnovers. These global climate changes are commonly attributed to the expansion of the Antarctic ice cap following its gradual isolation from other continental masses. However, multiple extraterrestrial bolide impacts, possibly related to a comet shower that lasted more than 2 million years, may have played an important role in deteriorating the global climate at that time. This book provides an up-to-date review of what happened on Earth at the end of the Eocene Epoch.

Meteorites and the Early Solar System II

Meteorites and the Early Solar System II
Author: Dante S. Lauretta
Publisher: University of Arizona Press
Total Pages: 992
Release: 2006-07
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780816525621

They range in size from microscopic particles to masses of many tons. The geologic diversity of asteroids and other rocky bodies of the solar system are displayed in the enormous variety of textures and mineralogies observed in meteorites. The composition, chemistry, and mineralogy of primitive meteorites collectively provide evidence for a wide variety of chemical and physical processes. This book synthesizes our current understanding of the early solar system, summarizing information about processes that occurred before its formation. It will be valuable as a textbook for graduate education in planetary science and as a reference for meteoriticists and researchers in allied fields worldwide.

Micrometeorites and the Mysteries of Our Origins

Micrometeorites and the Mysteries of Our Origins
Author: M. Maurette
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 334
Release: 2007-05-22
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3540343350

Gives the first a coherent and comprehensive account of how meteorites may have brought the seeds of life to Earth. Embedds specific results within a broader framework that considers the creation and evolution of the Early Earth. Provides experienced researchers with a modern and compact reference, as well as a source of material for lectures in this field.

From Suns to Life: A Chronological Approach to the History of Life on Earth

From Suns to Life: A Chronological Approach to the History of Life on Earth
Author: Muriel Gargaud
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 371
Release: 2007-07-05
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0387450831

This review gathers astronomers, geologists, biologists, and chemists around a common question: how did life emerge on Earth? The ultimate goal is to probe an even more demanding question: is life universal? This not-so linear account highlights problems, gaps, and controversies. Discussion covers the formation of the solar system; the building of a habitable planet; prebiotic chemistry, biochemistry, and the emergence of life; the early Earth environment, and much more.

Asteroids III

Asteroids III
Author: William Frederick Bottke
Publisher: University of Arizona Press
Total Pages: 818
Release: 2002-01-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780816522811

Two hundred years after the first asteroid was discovered, asteroids can no longer be considered mere points of light in the sky. Spacecraft missions, advanced Earth-based observation techniques, and state-of-the-art numerical models are continually revealing the detailed shapes, structures, geological properties, and orbital characteristics of these smaller denizens of our solar system. This volume brings together the latest information obtained by spacecraft combined with astronomical observations and theoretical modeling, to present our best current understanding of asteroids and the clues they reveal for the origin an,d evolution of the solar system. This collective knowledge, prepared by a team of more than one hundred international authorities on asteroids, includes new insights into asteroid-meteorite connections, possible relationships with comets, and the hazards posed by asteroids colliding with Earth. The book's contents include reports on surveys based on remote observation and summaries of physical properties; results of in situ exploration; studies of dynamical, collisional, cosmochemical, and weathering evolutionary processes; and discussions of asteroid families and the relationships between asteroids and other solar system bodies. Two previous Space Science Series volumes have established standards for research into asteroids. Asteroids III carries that tradition forward in a book that will stand as the definitive source on its subject for the next decade.

Noble Gases

Noble Gases
Author: Donald P. Porcelli
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG
Total Pages: 864
Release: 2018-12-17
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1501509055

Volume 47 of Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry introduces to Noble Gases. Although the mass spectrometry principles are not complex, the tricks involved in getting better data are often self taught or passed on by working with individuals who themselves are pushing the boundaries further. Furthermore, much of the exciting new science is linked with technical developments that allow us to move beyond the current measurement capabilities. Be they better crushing devices, laser resonance time of flight, multiple collection or compressor sources - the technical issues are central to progress. Contents: Noble Gases – Noble Science An Overview of Noble Gas Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry Noble Gases in the Solar System Noble Gases in the Moon and Meteorites: Radiogenic Components and Early Volatile Chronologies Cosmic-Ray-Produced Noble Gases in Meteorites Martian Noble Gases Origin of Noble Gases in the Terrestrial Planets Noble Gas Isotope Geochemistry of Mid-Ocean Ridge and Ocean Island Basalts: Characterization of Mantle Source Reservoirs Noble Gases and Volatile Recycling at Subduction Zones The Storage and Transport of Noble Gases in the Subcontinental Lithosphere Models for the Distribution of Terrestrial Noble Gases and the Evolution of the Atmosphere Production, Release and Transport of Noble Gases in the Continental Crust Tracing Fluid Origin, Transport and Interaction in the Crust Noble Gases in Lakes and Ground Waters Noble Gases in Ocean Waters and Sediments Cosmic-Ray-Produced Noble Gases in Terrestrial Rocks: Dating Tools for Surface Processes K-Ar and Ar-Ar Dating (U-Th)/He Dating: Techniques, Calibrations, and Applications

Asymmetric Autocatalysis

Asymmetric Autocatalysis
Author: Kenso Soai
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
Total Pages: 330
Release: 2022-10-28
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1839166282

Asymmetric autocatalysis is a reaction in which chiral compound acts as a chiral catalyst for its own production. The process is a catalytic automultiplication of the chiral compound leading to an end product with a high enantiomeric excess. It has advantages over non-autocatalytic reactions because the amount of catalyst increases and no loss or deterioration of the catalyst is observed. Additionally, because the catalyst and product have the same structure, the separation of product from the catalyst is not necessary. Asymmetric Autocatalysis provides a comprehensive introduction to the topic of autocatalysis and an in-depth review of the current state of the research. Edited by a team including Professor Kenso Soai, who first described these types of reaction, and written by experts from around the world this book is a great resource for anyone with an interest in organic synthesis, catalysis and chirality.

African Meteorites

African Meteorites
Author: Abderrahmane Ibhi
Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers
Total Pages: 225
Release: 2023-10-03
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9815136305

African Meteorites is a comprehensive exploration of meteorite falls and finds across the arid and hot regions of the African continent, offering profound insights into a significant collection of meteorites, second only to Antarctica. The book is divided into seven chapters, covering the origin and formation of meteorites, statistical analyses of meteorite falls in African countries, classes and mass distribution of meteorite finds, allocation and renaming of North West African (NWA) meteorites, exceptional and rare meteorite falls and finds in Eastern Morocco Sahara, protocols for recognizing, recovering, and preserving meteorites in Sahara, and a review of confirmed and proposed meteorite falls, finds, and impact structures in Egypt, Sudan, and Libya. With detailed and updated references complementing the simple presentation, this book is an invaluable resource for meteoriticists, hunters, museums, astronomers, students, and geology and astronomy enthusiasts, on the origin, characteristics, and collection of meteorites discovered in Africa. Key Themes: Meteorite origin, formation, and classification Meteorite falls and finds in Africa Unique features of North West Africa (NWA) meteorites Rare and exceptional meteorite falls and finds in Eastern Morocco Sahara Protocols for recognizing and preserving meteorites in the Sahara Meteorite falls, finds, and impact structures in Egypt, Sudan, and Libya Readership: Meteoriticists, geologists, mineralogists, historians, researchers and general readers.

Fred Hoyle’s Universe

Fred Hoyle’s Universe
Author: N.C. Wickramasinghe
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 340
Release: 2003-10-31
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 9781402014154

Proceedings of a Conference celebrating Fred Hoyle's Extraordinary Contribution to Science, 25-26 June 2002, Cardiff University, UK