В настоящее время мало кто сомневается в актуальности проблемы, однако далеко не всегда астероидная опасность была очевидной. Был даже случай, когда существование «падающих с неба камней» отрицалось научным сообществом. Кратко опишем историю знаний о малых телах Солнечной системы и опасности, которую они представляют. Существенная часть этого и следующего раздела составлены по материалам книги «Астероиднокометная опасность. Вчера, сегодня, завтра» [2]. <...>

Primitive Asteroids and Meteorites was born as a collaboration among members of NASA’s Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) Formulation Assessment and Support Team (FAST). As such, we own a great debt of gratitude to Daniel D. Mazanek and David M. Reeves at NASA’s Langley Research Center, to Paul A. Abell at the Johnson Space Center, to Michele Gates at NASA Headquarters, and to countless others who worked in developing this mission. In many ways, ARM allowed for asteroid exploration and mining to move into the tangible realm. ARM brought together a diverse and very passionate group of scientists and engineers who have made the study of meteorites, asteroids, and how to get us there into their lives’ work.

In this book, the authors present current research in the study of the classification, geology and exploration of asteroids and meteorites. Topics discussed include meteorites and their asteroidal parent bodies; the diversion and exploitation of ice-rich NEOs using the solar collector; radar characteristics of asteroid 33342 (1998 WT24); asteroid dimensions and the truncated pareto distribution; Hilda asteroids in the Jupiter neighborhood; and asteroid Apophis and 1950 DA.

Asteroids, comets, and meteorites have been objects of fascination, speculation, and fear for most of recorded human history. Early peoples thought that fiery streaks in the sky were omens of ill fortune and sought refuge from their evil powers. Impacts of comets and meteorites with Earth are now recognized as the main cause for several periods of mass extinction on the planet, including termination of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Comets and meteorites may also have brought much of the water, air, and perhaps even life to Earth. The planets themselves coalesced from numerous smaller asteroids, comets, and interplanetary dust.Asteroids, comets, and meteorites were therefore essential for the formation of Earth and life and were also responsible for the end of the line for many species <...>