Comets: Creators and Destroyers

by David H. Levy

David Levy brings these "ghostly apparitions" to life. With fascinating scenarios both real and imagined, he shows how comets have wreaked their special havoc on Earth and other planets. Beginning with ground zero as comets take form, we track the paths their icy, rocky masses take around our universe and investigate the enormous potential that future comets have to directly affect the way we live on this planet and what we might find as we travel to other planets.

In this extraordinary volume, David Levy shines his expert light on a subject that has long captivated our imaginations and fears, and demonstrates the need for our continued and rapt attention.

Genres: Science, Astronomy, Space, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

David Levy is a prominent astronomer and author, most famous for his co-discovery in 1993 of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, which collided with the planet Jupiter in 1994.

Levy was born in Canada, but now lives in Arizona. He has been involved with astronomy, as an observer, promoter, and author, for his entire adult life. Levy has discovered twenty two comets, given innumerable lectures, television appearances, and published articles in the major science and astronomy magazines.

He gained a Phd in English literature in 2010. There is an asteroid named in his honour, Levy 3673. He is married to Wendee Levy.

Reviews

[Bridget Whitfield]

In this book their is an aspect of mystery. On page 1 the author says, "Comets are kike cats." This quote is towards the start of this book and a weird way to begin. This makes you want to think more because you might be confused and catches your attention. The writer of this book later says, " Could a sword in the sky be a comet?" This question is a weird one and can be questioned as well as room to be explained. The idea of comets themselves are mysterious and are wondered about all over.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to concentrate on sky watching and found this at the library. It was a great introduction to comets and had so much information on star gazing in general. An enjoyable read. I will look for more by the author.

[John Giroux · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too much waxing poetic for me in parts.

[Bri Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a great intro to comets and I learned so much.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

If we take the spiritual premise, and we should that the mind/chitta/nous etc. solidifies in the material world first as breath/spirit/pneuma etc. and then as sperm. We see the same thing with the cosmos the meteorological storm and finally as comets. I was first attracted to this book because of Eliade's "The Forge and the Crucible" and "Violent Origins: Walter Burkert, Rene Girard and Jonathan Z. Smith on Ritual Killing and Cultural Formation". Eliade presents the idea that iron first found and used by mankind was meteor iron with this in mind it seems to me that a link between the northern bear worshipers and the battle axe culture existed and hinged upon things from the sky or thought to be from the sky.
Some nice info in this book about the Kuiper Belt and the Oort cloud. Also a couple of comets stories about the wonderful Heaven's Gate cult and the icky "Children of God' freaks who saw comet Kohoutek as foreshadowing cataclysm leading his cult to various communes and sordid sex acts.

[S.E. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating exploration of these cosmic wanderers and their impact on our universe. The book is a true gem, both in terms of its informative content and Levy's engaging writing style.

Levy takes us on a journey from the birth of comets to their dramatic impact on Earth and other planets. He skillfully weaves together real-life events with imaginative scenarios, making even the most complex scientific concepts accessible and exciting to read about.

But what really sets this book apart is Levy's humor and wit. His writing is both entertaining and educational, making "Comets" a joy to read from cover to cover. Whether he's sharing his own experiences as a comet hunter or recounting historical events, Levy's engaging storytelling keeps the reader fully invested.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the fascinating world of comets. With Levy as our guide, we gain a new appreciation for these celestial bodies and their potential impact on our future.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

He used an excessive amount of exclamation points and an awkward "doomsday" fiction chapter.

[Surendran Velath · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent eye opener to comets

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dull.

[Butch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at the history of comets and their effects on the earth.