How to Kill an Asteroid
The Real Science of Planetary Defense
by Robin George Andrews
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Pub Date Oct 01 2024 | Archive Date Sep 30 2024
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Description
A gripping account of the “city-killer” asteroids that could threaten Earth and the race to build a planetary defense system.
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.
Advance Praise
"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
"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
"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 and Director of the Institute for Theory and Computatio
"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
"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
"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
"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
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9781324050193 |
| PRICE | $29.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 336 |
