Meteorite
By: Maria Golia
Series: Earth series; Earth series (Reaktion Books (Firm))
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Published: 2015
Language: eng
Number of pages: 208
ISBN-13: 9781780234977
Subjects: Meteorites; History
Other titles: Nature and culture
Description: Meteorites are among the rarest objects on Earth, yet they have left a pervasive mark on our planet and civilization. Arriving amidst thunderous blasts and flame-streaked skies, meteorites were once thought to be messengers from the gods, embodiments of the divine. Prized for their outlandish qualities, meteorites are a collectible, a commodity, objects of art and artists' desires and a literary muse. 'Meteorite hunting' is an adventurous, lucrative profession for some, and an addictive hobby for thousands of others. Meteorite: Nature and Culture is a unique, richly illustrated cultural history of these ancient and mysterious phenomena. Taking in a wide range of sources Maria Golia pays homage to the scientists, scholars and aficionados who have scoured the skies and combed the Earth's most unforgiving reaches for meteorites, contributing to a body of work that situates our planet and ourselves within the vastness of the Universe.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 176-197) and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: Alpha and omega; title: Fallen gods; title: To have and to hold; title: All things said and done; title: Strange landings.