A Classic Returns

At PSRD, we aim to spread the word about discoveries in planetary science by writing about exciting and fascinating research published in scientific journals. Our archives are full of examples. Another way to explain science is to incorporate it into a story. That's what friends (mutually fascinated by petrology, space, and the allure of a well-turned tale) Ron Fodor and Jeff Taylor did a long time ago when they wrote the thriller IMPACT! It's a story centering around the threat of a big Earth-crossing asteroid that is heading right at us. Yes, the story contains meteorite and impact science along with sleazy government officials, international intrigue, and the usual "interpersonal activities" common in thrillers.

In his 1982 book Planetary Science: A Lunar Perspective, Ross Taylor wrote, “A fictional account of a scenario involving meteorite impacts with the Earth has been provided by Fodor and Taylor. A vivid eyewitness account of an impact is given on p. 62-65 and an excellent description of a freshly formed meteorite crater (4.2 km diameter, 750 m deep, rim height 40 m above the Kansas plain), a little larger than Arizona's Meteor Crater, appears on p. 104-108. Those who wish to toil through descriptions of numerous erotic episodes will find much useful information on meteorites and on the phenomena of impact in this book. ” (Page numbers refer to the paperback original.)

IMPACT! has been out of print for a long time, but is now available as a Kindle eBook. So, for a great time, read IMPACT! written by R. V. Fodor and G. J. Taylor. It's a classic!

 (CosmoSpark pdf version)

See:
·   Fodor, R. V. and Taylor, G. J. (1979) IMPACT! Reprinted in 2016 by Meteorite Impact Press. [ eBook ]

·   Taylor, S. R. (1982) Planetary Science: A Lunar Perspective. Houston: Lunar and Planetary Institute, 481 p. [ Book ]

Written by Linda M. V. Martel, Hawai‘i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, for PSRD.