How to Kill an Asteroid bookcover

How to Kill an Asteroid

The Real Science of Planetary Defense
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Description

There are approximately 25,000 "city killer" asteroids in near-Earth orbit--and most are yet to be found. Small enough to evade detection, they are capable of large-scale destruction, and represent our greatest cosmic threat. But in September 2022, against all odds, NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission deliberately crashed a spacecraft into a carefully selected city killer, altering the asteroid's orbit and proving that we stand a chance against them.

In How to Kill an Asteroid, award-winning science journalist Robin George Andrews--who was at DART mission control when it happened--reveals the development of the technology that made it possible, from spotting elusive asteroids and comets to figuring out their geologic defenses and orchestrating a deflection campaign. In a propulsive narrative that reads like a sci-fi thriller, Andrews tells the story of the planetary defense movement, and introduces the international team of scientists and engineers now working to protect Earth.

Product Details

PublisherW. W. Norton & Company
Publish DateOctober 01, 2024
Pages336
LanguageEnglish
TypeBook iconHardback
EAN/UPC9781324050193
Dimensions9.4 X 6.5 X 1.2 inches | 1.1 pounds

About the Author

Robin George Andrews is an award-winning science journalist who regularly writes about space and geosciences for outlets including the New York Times, the Atlantic, National Geographic, Scientific American, Atlas Obscura, and Quanta Magazine. He lives in London, England.

Reviews

[A] wonderful book...Andrews is a marvellous and witty storyteller...This is a scientific page-turner that builds up to a great climax and is written in an accessible and entertaining style, yet chockful of serious information. A direct hit, I'd say.--Govert Schilling "BBC Sky at Night Magazine"
A deep dive into the extremely badass business of thwarting a destructive asteroid ... [Andrews's] thorough research brings readers all over the world and across time.--Shi En Kim "Science News"
There is much here that will fascinate any space enthusiast.--Andrew Crumey "Literary Review"
This vividly written book reads as much like a thriller as the film plots it is trying to correct ... Andrews's dexterity in explaining complicated concepts, including how to knock asteroids off-orbit, makes this book well worth picking up, but that verbal vivacity is matched by deep reporting ... You will finish the book as informed as you are entertained.--Chris Stokel-Walker "New Scientist"
[E]ngrossing. As Andrews moves on from the hypothetical and into reality--the history and the science that the book is all about--he keeps it interesting with a conversational writing style that makes even the jargon feel readable.--Cheyenne Macdonald "Engadget"
Acclaimed science journalist Robin George Andrews offers a sometimes scary, often humorous and always erudite account of the people and projects striving to safeguard Earth from space rocks and help humanity avoid the dinosaurs' dismal fate.--Lee Billings "Scientific American"
Robin Andrews offers a rare personal look at the development of the mission, the team that made it happen, and what it was like to be inside the mission control room when the asteroid got smacked. The book leans into the sci-fi fantasy aspect of the mission, detailing all the cool science while still delivering drama, humor, and a great group of characters.--Passant Rabie "Gizmodo"
[A] rollicking study ... Andrews's sharp eye for detail captures the expertise and eccentricity of scientists involved in the DART mission ... [A] surprisingly fun report on averting catastrophe.-- "Publishers Weekly"
A captivating report on efforts to mitigate the worst existential risk that humanity faces...A must read for space geeks and long-term-survival aficionados.--Avi Loeb, New York Times best-selling author of Extraterrestrial and Interstellar
Andrews' writing style is funny, wry, passionate, and deeply informed. How to Kill an Asteroid is one of the most entertaining pop-science reads of the year.--John Keogh, Booklist (starred review)
Deeply researched and tenaciously reported, How to Kill an Asteroid is a detailed inside look at some of the most important recent undertakings in the history of space science...Robin George Andrews is a spirited, erudite, and humorous guide.--Ferris Jabr, author of Becoming Earth: How Our Planet Came to Life
How to Kill an Asteroid is a testament to humanity's ingenuity in the face of cosmic danger, and you will not find a more enthusiastic and skilled planetary guide than Robin George Andrews. With riveting detail and cinematic flair, the book catapults readers into a reality that feels like science fiction.--Kristy Hamilton, science journalist and award-winning author of Nature's Wild Ideas
A page-turner of a cosmic mystery about one of the most important subjects facing humanity--planetary defense from killer asteroids. Robin George Andrews is the perfect storyteller, making NASA science accessible for everyone.--Col. Terry Virts, author of How to Astronaut and View from Above
Bookended by disparate visions of future asteroid encounters, Robin George Andrews's storytelling and nerdy humor make the DART mission feel personal. Reading this book should assuage the fears of anyone worried that humanity will blaze out like the dinosaurs did.--Dr. Moiya McTier, author of The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy
Brilliantly captures the urgency and complexity of planetary defense, highlighting the innovative technologies and dedicated scientists working to protect Earth from these cosmic threats. A compelling and informative read for anyone interested in space exploration and the future of our planet.--Dante S. Lauretta, Regents Professor of Planetary Science, University of Arizona, and author of The Asteroid Hunter
Highly readable and engaging. . . . Exciting and surprisingly funny, How to Kill an Asteroid is a must read for space enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys good narrative science journalism.--Rebecca Renner, author of Gator Country: Deception, Danger, and Alligators in the Everglades
If we're going to avoid the fate of the dinosaurs, we need to be looking toward the sky. Robin George Andrews vividly explains how we may do just that, drawing from decades of discovery and invention to think through how we might accomplish the seemingly impossible task of pushing back against an asteroid with Earth's name on it.--Riley Black, author of The Last Days of the Dinosaurs and When the Earth Was Green

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