This book concentrates on some of the odd aspects of comets and asteroids. Strange behavior of comets, such as outbursts and schisms, and how asteroids can temporally act as comets are discussed, together with the possible threat of Centaurs-class objects like the Taurid complex.

Recent years have seen the distinction between comets and asteroids become less prominent. Comets in “asteroid” orbits and vice versa have become almost commonplace and a clearer view of the role of small bodies in the formation of the Solar System and their effect on Earth has become apparent. Seargent covers this development in detail by including new data and information from space probes.

Comets and asteroid transition objects
Meteorites and meteoroids
Meteor showers
Taurid complex
Comet morphology
Comet behavior
Temporary and ghost comets
Asteroid meteor comet complex
Wondering asteroids
Asteroid families

• Front Matter
• Unsung Little Worlds
• Weird Objects with Split Personalities
• Comet Oddities: Different Objects Sharing the Same Orbit
• More Comet Oddities: Outbursts, Disruptions and Other Strange Behavior
• The Fascinating Taurid Complex
• The Mice That Roared!
• Back Matter

Cowra, Australia
David A. J. Seargent

Book Title
Weird Comets and Asteroids

Book Subtitle
The Strange Little Worlds of the Sun’s Family

Authors
David A. J. Seargent

Series Title
Astronomers’ Universe

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56558-3

Softcover ISBN
978-3-319-56557-6
Published: 29 May 2017

eBook ISBN
978-3-319-56558-3
Published: 17 May 2017

Series ISSN
1614-659X

Series E-ISSN
2197-6651

Edition Number
1

Number of Pages
XIII, 279

Number of Illustrations
17 b/w illustrations, 28 illustrations in colour

Topics
Popular Science in Astronomy, Planetary Sciences, Natural Hazards, Astrophysics and Astroparticles