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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.
"...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)