The Big Splat: Or How Our Moon Came to Be

First popular book to explain one of the great recent breakthroughs in planetary astronomy, a successful theory of the Moon's genesis. Science journalist Dana Mackenzie traces the evolution of this theory. 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.

A"A...Dana MackenzieA...reveals the truthA...A"(The Mail on Sunday, 30 March 2003) "...this is a most useful and interesting bookA...A" (New Scientist, 7 June 2003) "A most useful and interesting book."(Patrick Moore in New Scientist ) A"A...an absorbing and informative account of the quest to explain the genesis of the moonA...A" (Astronomy & Space, June 2003) A"A...fascinating! For everyone with even the slightest interest in astronomyA...an insightful and entertaining readA...A" (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)

Introduction: Genesis Revised. 1. A Highly Practical Stone. 2. The Stone Star. 3. Kepler Laughed. 4. The Clockwork Solar System. 5. Daughter Moon. 6. Captive Moon. 7. Sister Moon. 8. Renaissance and Controversy. 9. "A Little Science on the Moon". 10. When Worlds Collide. 11. The Kona Consensus. 12. Introducing Theia. Appendix: Did We Really Go to the Moon? Glossary. References. Acknowledgments. Index.