This illustrated account of comets has been written by the co-discoverer of Shoemaker-Levy 9, the comet that collided with Jupiter in July 1994. Levy argues that comet impacts on the Earth not only caused the extinction of dinosaurs, but also brought about new forms of life.

The Quest for Comets: An Explosive Trail of Beauty and Danger

Levy, David H.

Oxford Univ. Pr.

Traces the history of comets, discusses the effects of comet collisions with the Earth, and suggests what should be done to survive future collisions

Science & Math

Astronomy & Space Science

Plenum

On July 16, 1994 a world-shattering event occurred that would rivet our attention for six explosive days and go on to make history as the single most important celestial event of the century. Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 crashed into Jupiter, changing forever our understanding of comets and cosmic cataclysms. Our own sense of security would never be the same as the world witnessed fragment after fragment of the comet bash into Jupiter with the collective equivalent force of a 50-million-megaton bomb. David Levy, co-discoverer of periodic Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, shares his once-in-several-lifetimes' story from the time of the discovery, with Eugene and Carolyn Shoemaker, of this unusual "squashed" comet to the later shocking revelation of hearing that "their" comet was destined to collide with Jupiter. Never in recorded history has a comet created such a catastrophic event as smashing into a planet. Impact Jupiter takes off where David Levy's earlier acclaimed book, The Quest for Comets, left us. Magnificent photos of the impacts, including superb color pictures, accompany David's poetic words, vividly bringing to life his thrilling story. Savor the words of one of the world's most celebrated amateur astronomers as he humbly and eloquently opens the beauty of the heavens to all who are curious.

Impact Jupiter: The Crash of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9

Springer

What higher endeavor can there be than to open the universe to a child? this is the perfect guide for the parent or teacher who wishes to introduce the awesome delights of the universe to young people.  Sharing the Sky engagingly shows us: how to "observe" the sun safely, how to explore the magnificence of our neighboring planets, how to answer the most often asked questions of children, and how to explain why the history of comets, meteors, and asteroids is so enmeshed with the saga of dinosaurs and human evolution. Furthermore, to enchant child and adult alike, the book has a special handsomely illustrated section devoted to enjoying the colorful legends of the zodiac.The authors provide sound, practical guidance and creative recommendations detailing specific projects and experiments.

Sharing The Sky

Lebofsky, Larry A.

Reference

Basic Books

This is the perfect guide for the parent or teacher who wishes to introduce to young people the awesome delights of the universe. Contrary to popular wisdom, the daytime sky, as well as the nighttime sky, contains riches to explore. Sharing the Sky engagingly shows us how to "observe" the sun safely, how to "star-hop" - as in jumping from the Big Dipper to Scorpius, how to search for mysteries amid the deep craters of the moon, how to explore the magnificence of our neighboring planets, how to answer the science questions most often asked by children and how to explain why the history of comets, meteors, and asteroids is so enmeshed with the saga of dinosaurs and human evolution. A special, handsomely illustrated section devoted to the colorful legends of the zodiac and the constellations will enchant children and adults alike.

Sharing the Sky: A Parent’s and Teacher’s Guide to Astronomy

With their bright tails and otherworldly beauty, comets have fascinated mankind for centuries. They have heralded doom, they may have helped create life on Earth, and they may have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. In The Quest for Comets, one of the discoverers of the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 writes an exhilarating, eloquent history of comet hunting and hunters, comet collisions, and more.

Quest for Comets

Harper-perennial

If you are an amateur astronomer, and comets, asteroids, meteors, and the zodiacal light are your quarry, then this is the book for you. Comet observers can learn how to make visual estimates of brightness and size, and how to make photographic studies of cometary heads and tails. Asteroid hunters will find a "life list" of objects and guidelines on how to search for them and then how to photograph or electronically image them. Practical photographic and electronic methods for studying meteors and meteor showers are provided. Visual and photographic techniques show you how to examine the often elusive zodiacal light. The more adventurous are provided with advanced techniques on how to make successful astrometric, spectroscopic and electronic observations. David Levy is the author of The Sky: A User's Guide (CUP, 1991). Both authors have had asteroids named after them.

Observing Comets, Asteroids, Meteors, and the Zodiacal Light (Practical Astronomy Handbooks, Series Number 5)

Edberg, Stephen J.

Cambridge University Press

In this simple guide, David Levy inspires readers to experience the wonder of eclipses and other transient astronomical events for themselves. Covering both solar and lunar eclipses, he gives step-by-step instructions on how to observe and photograph eclipses. As well as explaining the science behind eclipses, the book also gives their historical background, discussing how they were observed in the past and what we have learned from them. This personal account contains examples from the 77 eclipses the author has witnessed himself. The guide also includes chapters on occultations of stars and planets by the Moon and of asteroids by stars, and the transits of Mercury and Venus. Tables of future eclipses make this invaluable for anyone, from beginners to practised observers, wanting to learn more about these fascinating events.

David Levy's Guide to Eclipses, Transits, and Occultations

Variable star astronomy is one field that still allows amateur astronomers to make significant contributions to the advancement of science. Everyone can play a part in variable star observations, using a small telescope, binoculars, or even the naked eye. Written by an award-winning astronomer, Observing Variable Stars provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of variable star observation for the amateur. The book begins with advice on binoculars and telescopes, and on how and when to observe stars effectively. Levy then explains the ways in which to interpret variation in light output in terms of the life of a star, from birth to sometimes violent death. All the major variables are described and classified, as well as other variable objects such as active galaxies, asteroids, comets, and the sun. The book also illustrates how astrophysicists interpret variations in light output in terms of the evolution of stars. Observing Variable Stars contains a seasonal guide to the night sky usable in all latitudes. Throughout, practical observations serve to complement the text, making this an enjoyable, readable introduction to an exciting area of astronomy.

Observing Variable Stars: A Guide for the Beginner

This is an ideal book for starting astronomy. It stirs the imagination, and puts observation of the sky into the framework of leisure activity as well as a personal adventure. Written by an award winning astronomer, it is a non-technical guide to the night sky, full of practical hints. The author's lively style enthuses, entertains and informs. • know the constellations, even if you live in a large city • observe the Sun safely • find out how comets are discovered • watch a star vary in brightness from week to week • explore star clusters and remote galaxies Author David Levy is one of the world's foremost amateur astronomers. He has discovered 17 comets. Minor Planet 3673 Levy is named in his honour. An English graduate, Levy has written a beautiful introduction to the glories of the observable universe of constellations, stars and galaxies.

The Sky: A User's Guide

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Levy, David H.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Levy, David H.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Levy, David H.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Quest for Comets: An Explosive Trail of Beauty and Danger

The Quest for Comets: An Explosive Trail of Beauty and Danger

Impact Jupiter: The Crash of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9

Sharing The Sky

Sharing the Sky: A Parent’s and Teacher’s Guide to Astronomy

Quest for Comets

Observing Comets, Asteroids, Meteors, and the Zodiacal Light (Practical Astronomy Handbooks, Series Number 5)

David Levy's Guide to Eclipses, Transits, and Occultations

Observing Variable Stars: A Guide for the Beginner

The Sky: A User's Guide