Rusch, Elizabeth. Impact! Asteroids and the Science of Saving the World.

Rusch, Elizabeth. Impact! Asteroids and the Science of Saving the World. Houghton Mifflin/ Harcourt Brace  2018        76p.            $18.99           ISBN 978-0-544-67159-1          ms/hs  Nonfiction  E-BNS         

While asteroids assault our atmosphere on a daily basis with little impact on human lives, there have been some major strikes.  Rusch discusses several of the big hits, including one in Russia in 2013.  She offers a clear look into the activity in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, what can knock an asteroid out of its orbit, and the possibilities of a major Earth collision.  She describes the clues scientists use to discover long-ago impacts and explains the aftereffects of these collisions and the parts they have played in the history of our Earth.  She also examines the processes that scientists are developing that might prevent a major Earth-asteroid collision in the future. 

This book offers an incredible look into the world of asteroids.  The text is clearly written, if a bit more technically advanced than previous books in the series, and the excellent photographs are carefully presented and enhance the text.  The book ends with a section on what students can do, chapter notes, a bibliography of books, a list of web sites for students and teachers, a glossary, and an index.

The series is Scientists In the Field. This exemplary series con various outstanding titles about scientists who work in the natural world and make science and nature study much more accessible and interesting to budding naturalists.  These books offer an incredible look into hidden worlds at the frontiers of human knowledge.  The text is clearly written and the awesome photographs are carefully presented and enhance the text.

Summary: While asteroids assault our atmosphere on a daily basis with little impact on human lives, there have been some major strikes.  Rusch discusses several of the big hits, including one in Russia in 2013.  

Asteroids                                                                               --Susan Ogintz