The Big Splat, or How Our Moon Came to Be

by Dana Mackenzie

Overview

The first popular book to explain the dramatic theory behind the Moon's genesis

This lively science history relates one of the great recent breakthroughs in planetary astronomy-a successful theory of the birth of the Moon. Science journalist Dana Mackenzie traces the evolution of this theory, one little known outside the scientific community: a Mars-sized object collided with Earth some four billion years ago, and the remains of this colossal explosion-the Big Splat-came together to form the Moon. Beginning with notions of the Moon in ancient cosmologies, Mackenzie relates the fascinating history of lunar speculation, moving from Galileo and Kepler to George Darwin (son of Charles) and the Apollo astronauts, whose trips to the lunar surface helped solve one of the most enigmatic mysteries of the night sky: who hung the Moon?

Dana Mackenzie (Santa Cruz, CA) is a freelance science journalist. His articles have appeared in such magazines as Science, Discover, American Scientist, The Sciences, and New Scientist.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471150572
Publisher:	Turner Publishing Company
Publication date:	03/01/2003
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.34(w) x 9.32(h) x 0.86(d)

About the Author

DANA MACKENZIE holds a doctorate in mathematics from Princeton University. After teaching mathematics at Duke University and Kenyon College for more than a decade, in 1997 he completed the Science Communication Program at the University of California at Santa Cruz. Since then he has been a freelance science writer, with articles appearing in such magazines as Science, Discover, American Scientist, Astronomy, and New Scientist. He lives in Santa Cruz with his wife as well as three cats and a dog.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Genesis Revised.

1. A Highly Practical Stone.

2. The Stone Star.

3. Kepler Laughed.

4. The Clockwork Solar System.

5. Daughter Moon.

6. Captive Moon.

7. Sister Moon.

8. Renaissance and Controversy.

9. “A Little Science on the Moon”.

10. When Worlds Collide.

11. The Kona Consensus.

12. Introducing Theia.

Appendix: Did We Really Go to the Moon?

Glossary.

References.

Acknowledgments.

Index.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Ace science writer Mackenzie's account of humanity's long relationship with Earth's only natural satellite, from a probable lunar calendar found in the Lascaux caves to the new "giant impact" theory of the moon's origin, is magnetically readable, preternaturally clear, and amazingly concise.
— Booklist Editors' Choice '03

Editorial Reviews

* "...Dana Mackenzie-reveals the truth..." (The Mail on Sunday, 30 March 2003)

"...this is a most useful and interesting book..." (New Scientist, 7 June 2003)

"A most useful and interesting book." (Patrick Moore in New Scientist)

"...an absorbing and informative account of the quest to explain the genesis of the moon..." (Astronomy & Space, June 2003)

"...fascinating! For everyone with even the slightest interest in astronomy-an insightful and entertaining read..." (M2 Best Books, 14 July 2003)

"Besides telling an interesting tale well and elucidating how science progresses, Mackenzie's book emphasizes the fact that impacts have been the primary creative and destructive process throughout the history of the Solar System." (NATURE)

"The Big Splat is a superb exploration of an important chapter in the history of Earth and its satellite. Every Moon-buff will want a copy." (Astronomy)

"...a comprehensive travelogue of lunar nativities throughout history..." (Astronomy Now, March 2004)

From the Publisher