Meteorite Books

By Dante S. Lauretta and Marvin Killgore, 301 pages, 10 X 7 1/4”, cloth binding. Included are 414 color photographs and 11 line diagrams. This is the first photographic survey of meteorites in thin sections. Nearly every known stony meteorite type is included. The book is organized by classification and sub-type, from primitive chondrites LL3.0, to planetary achondrites. The first section of the book is dedicated to the ordinary chondrites, followed by the enstatite, carbonaceous, K, and R chondrite classes. The next two sections of the book cover primitive and evolved achondrites. A data block is presented with each meteorite that gives its name, the locality from which it originated, its classification, shock and weathering grades if known, and the source of the thin section photographed. Each classification is presented in six views. The first two are overviews (10mm – 25mm) in cross-polarized and plane-polarized light, followed by four low magnification views with plane-polarized, cross-polarized, reflected-light and BSE (Back Scattered Electron) images. Assumes the reader has a basic knowledge of thin sections and meteorite science. Although each chapter gives the encapsulation of the grouping of the type, a brief description of each of the meteorites chosen to represent the classification is given with brief notations and comments on the selected photographs. “A Color Atlas of Meteorites in Thin Section” is a comprehensive reference for anyone interested in meteorites, mineralogy, or petrology. Published by the Golden Retriever Press, and Southwest Meteorite Press, Arizona, April 2005.
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By Kenneth Regelman, 368 pages, 9 X 6”, pictorial soft cover. This is the most up to date compilation, covering all known falls and finds of meteorites, since the “Catalogue of Meteorites” was published by the British Museum (NH) in 1984. The “ARN’S History of Meteorites” lists over 3,000 meteorites, alphabetically, by exact location, gives the find or fall date, the classification, total known weight, and includes additional important information and facts about each meteorite. Information is provided for all known finds/falls, through July 1997! This book is a must have for anyone interested in buying, selling, collecting, and research on meteorites! Published by the Astronomical Research Network, Maplewood, MN, l997.  
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By Kevin Kichinka, this is the first book dedicated solely to the theory and methodology of collecting meteorites. The hobby’s evolution is covered from its earliest beginnings among the “rich, royal or religious” to the advent of the “Bessey Speck.”  Strategies to purchase the highest-quality specimens at the most favorable prices are clearly outlined and a new tool for price determination is introduced. This guide offers advice on care and first aid for your specimens, compares the materials involving their display and affecting their preservation, and suggests an integrated system for cataloguing holdings.  Select contributions by the author to the acclaimed quarterly Meteorite are reprised, including those that track his expeditions to discover Bolivia’s first authenticated meteorite. The most powerful legend of the hobby grows, as new forensic evidence and commentary from the grave of the original “Meteorite Man” seals the coffin of the dog a farmer saw struck by a Martian meteorite in 1911. The “Timeline of Historical Meteoritical Events” transports the reader on a breath-taking ride through history that will fire the imagination and enhance the knowledge of every researcher, dealer and collector. The Art of Collecting Meteorites offers the author’s unvarnished observations to help the collector understand and harness the forces driving the marketing of these souvenirs from space.
Read an interview with the author, Kevin Kichinka in Meteorite Times Magazine

The first CD-ROM based entirely on meteorites and meteorite craters! The “Space Rocks” CD-ROM, produced by the Astronomical Research Network, contains a multimedia set of five electronic books with hundreds of pages of text, over 1,000 pictures, sound, and movies. With windows based software, the electronic books cover the following topics: the history of meteorites, Antarctic meteorites, terrestrial impact crater list, Robert Haag’s Field Guide of Meteorites, as well as an introduction to the Swiss Meteorite Lab. Tips are also given on how to find and identify meteorites, plus much more. For a limited time, the ARN is offering “Space Rocks” F R E E with the purchase of the “ARN’s History of Meteorites”. Computer and equipment required to be able to run “Space Rocks”: CD reader, and sound. Description Credit – Mineralogical Research Co.

By: O. Richard Norton Beautifully illustrated with over 150 full color photographs, 354 pages, 11″ X 9″, hard cover. “The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Meteorites” provides a thorough guide to the study of these fascinating extraterrestrial rocks – our only contact with materials from beyond the Earth-Moon system. Using well-known petrologic techniques, this book reveals in vivid color the extraordinary external and internal structures of meteorites. The book is also an invaluable guide to assist field collectors in recognizing the many classes of meteorites. Additionally, it is an excellent reference source for students, teachers, and scientists. Data provided includes information on cosmic dust particles, the phenomenon of the fall of meteorites, detailed descriptions of every meteorite type, a listing of terrestrial impact crater sites, information on catastrophic impacts on Earth (Tunguska, Chicxulub crater, etc.), recent fall and find data, and details regarding important meteorite collections. A discussion of asteroids includes the last images taken by the NEAR-Shoemaker spacecraft as it descended onto the asteroid Eros in February 2001. Several appendices at the end of the book cover such topics as the classification of meteorites, preparing and etching iron meteorites, testing a meteorite for nickel, and a summary of meteorites by classification. Finally, there is a 7 page glossary of meteorite terms, followed by a general index, and an index of all of the meteorites discussed in the book. The author has devoted is life to the study of astronomy and meteorites – he is a fellow of the Meteoritical Society, the author of the best-selling book “Rocks from Space”, and a contributing editor to the popular journal entitled “Meteorite”. Published by Cambridge University Press, 2002.
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By Monica M. Grady, The Natural History Museum, London, England
Includes 690 pages, 11 1/4″ X 8 3/4″ size, heavyweight cloth binding with pictorial cover. This Fifth Edition of the Catalogue of Meteorites will, like previous editions, become an essential reference volume for all those with an informed interest in meteorites. The volume is a complete catalogue of all authenticated meteorites, and gives information on their classification and chemistry. It is the definitive, descriptive list of The Natural History Museum, London, which maintains the official world database of all known meteorite falls and finds. Much of the older nomenclature has been discontinued, and the various classification groups have been expanded and updated to bring the Catalogue of Meteorites up to date with current scientific knowledge. It includes the 10,000 new specimens recovered since publication of the fourth edition, including many hundreds of new finds from Antarctica, the Nullarbor Region of Australia, 101 new finds from New Mexico (USA), and all of the recent finds from the Sahara Desert. The very useful summary pages covering meteorites by classification and geographical listing, as well as the lists of all known meteorites by classification and geographical location, have been updated to include all finds and falls through December 1999. This Fifth Edition of the Catalogue of Meteorites is THE major reference volume for everyone interested in meteorites: professional scientists, meteoriticists, collectors, dealers and academic libraries. Monica M. Grady is the head of the Petrology and Meteoritics Division in the Department of Mineralogy at The Natural History Museum (NHM), London. Published by the Cambridge University Press, London, 2000.
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The meteorite hunter’s Bible! Harvey’s thrilling autobiography is beloved by meteorite enthusiasts the world over. Long out-of-print and difficult to find, we are pleased to be able offer a limited number of mint condition, never-read copies, with glossy covers and bright white pages. A real delight for meteorite collectors, and a must-have for meteorite hunters. Learn from the master!
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by Matthew l. Morgan. Learn about meteorite classification and how to recongize them. Contains updated listings of all Colorado meteorites and a map of their locations. Handy field guide-sized with loads of full-color photos.
Image and Description Credit – Mile High Meteorites

METEORITES – SECOND EDITION, By Dr. Alain Carion, University of Paris, 9 1/2” X 6 1/4”, 36 pages, illustrated with line drawings, tables, B & W photos, soft cover. Translated from the French by Anne Black, Impactika. This excellent quality, soft cover booklet contains an amazing amount of basic information for the collector. Topics covered include historical background of early finds of meteorites dating to as early as 3200 B.C., origin of meteorites, classification, information about fakes and pseudo-meteorites, the age of meteorites, and the effects and consequences of impacts. Special condensed reports cover selected impact sites, lunar meteorites, tektites, the disappearance of the dinosaurs, and the origin of life. The front cover of the book has a color photograph of an attractive specimen of the Class IIB meteorite which fell at Sikhote-Alin, Russia on February 12, 1947. An exceptional aerial color photograph of Meteor Crater, Arizona, blanketed with a winter snow fall, is featured on the back cover (see the second illustration at the left). Published by the author, and printed in France.
Image and Description Credit – Mineralogical Research Co.

By R. Hutchison and A. Graham, The Natural History Museum (British Museum), 60 pages, 8 1/4 X 7 5/8”, illustrated with ninety-five photographs, several diagrams, pictorial soft cover. This excellent book contains a wealth of information about meteorites and their science, written by two experts from the British Museum in London. Their “Catalogue of Meteorites”, 4th Edition, is a classic work on the subject. The color photographs in “Meteorites” are exceptional — subjects include several historical photographs of localities and personalities along with numerous color, as well as black and white photos which illustrate examples of most of the different classified types of meteorites. Since the British Museum houses one of the largest collections of meteorites in the world, the specimens selected to illustrate this book are first rate! Topics covered by the authors include the classification and age of meteorites, asteroids, comets, Antarctic meteorites, micrometeorites, and much more, all written in a simplified and generally easy to understand format, and of a high scientific caliber. “Meteorites” is a very good introductory book to the study of meteorites, with emphasis on their scientific importance. The illustrations on the cover, shown at the left, are: an aerial view of Meteor Crater in Arizona, a polished section of the Thiel Mountains, Antarctica pallasite (left), and a view of one of the Cronstad, South Africa stones from the meteorite shower of 1877 (right). First published in 1992 in England, this 1993 printing is by the Sterling Publishing Company, NY.
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By Robert Hutchison, Natural History Museum, London, 520 pages, 10” X 7”, pictorial hardback.  ISBN-10: 0521470102  Meteorite research is fundamental to our understanding of the origin and early history of the Solar System. This book considers the mechanism and timing of core formation and basaltic volcanism on asteroids, and the effects of heating water-rich bodies. Results from meteorite research are placed in a galactic setting, and a theory is proposed for the origin of the planets of our Solar System. This advanced yet succinct introduction classifies meteorites in the context of their ages and origin.  Contents:  1. Introduction;  2. The chondrites: chemistry and classification;  3. The components of chondrites;  4. Petrography of the chondrites I: carbonaceous chondrites;  5. Petrography of the chondrites II: Non-carbonaceous chondrites;  6. Time in the evolution of chondrites;  7. Origin of chondrites and their components;  8. Differentiated meteorites I: Primitive achondrites, ureilites and aubrites;  9. Differentiated meteorites II: asteroidal, lunar and Martian basaltic meteorites; 10. Differentiated meteorites III: Iron and stony iron meteorites;  11. Parent body processes and petrogenetic associations;  12. Origin of Solar System planets: A meteoriticist’s view.  Published as number two in the Cambridge Planetary Science series by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 2004.
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By Harry Y. McSween, Jr., 256 pages, 6 X 9 1/2″, illustrated, hard cover. “Meteorites and Their Parent Planets” provides a comprehensive, very readable and easy to understand introduction to the study of meteorites and their significance. Unlike other books on the subject, which merely classify meteorites, this book explores their origins by tracing meteorites back to their parent bodies — the sites of various geologic processes. In this way, the author uses his subject as a key to unlocking the secrets of orbiting worlds, such as asteroids, planets, and the Moon, all from which meteorites are thought to originate. Special emphasis is placed upon the chondrites, achondrites, iron, and stony-iron meteorites. A short appendix of minerals found in meteorites is included, as well as a fairly comprehensive 8-page glossary of terms relative to understanding all phases of the study of meteorites, their composition, and their origins. Included are 30 halftones, 1 color plate, 2 tables, 66 line diagrams. Published by the Cambridge University Press, 1987.  
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By: Harry Y. McSween, Jr. 310 pages, 9 1/4″ X 6″, soft cover, with numerous tables and charts, diagrams, and excellent black & white photographs of meteorites found in all parts of the world. This excellent book is a highly readable, well synthesized introduction to the field of meteoritics, and the broader study of the formation and evolution of the solar system. The book describes the nature of meteorites, where they come from, and how they arrive on Earth. Meteorites offer important insights into processes in stars and in interstellar regions, the birth of our solar system, the formation and evolution of planets and smaller bodies, and the origin of life. The first edition of “METEORITES AND THEIR PARENT PLANETS” was immensely popular with meteorite collectors, scientists, and science students in many fields, as well as amateur astronomers. In this second edition, all of the illustrations have been updated and improved, many sections have been expanded and modified based upon discoveries in the last decade, and a new chapter on the importance of meteorites has been added. Everyone with an interest in meteorites will want to have a copy of this book for his/her reference library. In addition, a very complete Index (12 pages!) follows the Glossary. Harry Y. McSween, Jr. is a professor and former head of the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Tennessee, and is also a past president of the Meteoritical Society. Published by Cambridge University Press, 1999.
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by William A. Cassidy, University of Pittsburgh, 364 pages, 9 1/4” X 6 1/4”, hardback.  ISBN-10: 0521258723  Bill Cassidy led meteorite recovery expeditions in the Antarctic for fifteen years and his searches have resulted in the collection of thousands of meteorite specimens from the ice. This personal account of his field experiences on the U.S. Antarctic Search for Meteorites Project reveals the influence the work has had on our understanding of the Moon, Mars and the asteroid belt.  Cassidy describes the hardships and dangers of field work in a hostile environment, as well as the appreciation he developed for its beauty. William Cassidy is Emeritus Professor of Geology and Planetary Science at the University of Pittsburgh.  He initiated the U.S. Antarctic Search for Meteorites (ANSMET) project and led meteorite recovery expeditions in Antarctica in 1976. His name is found attached to a mineral (Cassidyite), on the map of Antarctica (Cassidy Glacier), and in the Catalog of Asteroids (3382 Cassidy). Profiled in “American Men of Science,” and “Who’s Who in America,” he is also a recipient of The Antarctic Service Medal from the United States and has published widely in Science, Meteoritics and Planetary Science, and The Journal of Geophysical Research.  Contents  Part I. Setting the Stage: 1. Antarctica and the National Science Foundation;  2. How the project began;  3. The first three years;  4. Later years of the ANSMET Program;  5. Alone (or in small groups). Part II. ANSMET Pays Off: Field Results and Their Consequences;  6. Mars on the ice;  7. Meteorites from the Moon;  8. How, and where in the Solar System?; Part III. Has It Been Worthwhile?:  9. Evaluating the collection – and speculating on its significance;  10. Meteorite stranding surfaces and the ice sheet; 11. The future: what is, is; but what will be, might not.  Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 2003.
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CD by Philip M. Bagnall In this new CD, Phil Bagnall sets out to explain what meteorites are, how they are related to other minor bodies in the Solar System, and what they tell us about the birth and evolution of our planetary family. The CD is packed with information of both historical and current interest, and the author combines hard facts and occasional humor to produce a highly readable, and always thought provoking volume. He starts by recounting the spectacular arrival of the Peekskill meteorite in October 1992. He uses this event to draw parallels with other meteorite falls throughout history and explains why it took so long for the scientific community to realize the relationship between meteorites and fireballs. In Chapter 2 the author explains the physical properties and dynamics of fireballs, and dispels several popular misconceptions. Chapter 3 covers what happens when meteorites – of all sizes – hit the ground. The author looks at people who have been struck by meteorites, and species that have been wiped out by them. The fourth chapter goes into some detail on the shape, structure and composition of meteorites and includes stunning photographs by Jim Hurley. The next chapter builds on this information, to explain how meteorites are categorized and how they are related. Chapter 6 looks at the sources of meteorites — the asteroids and comets, the Moon and the planets. The asteroids are examined in Chapter 7; the following chapter explains what meteorites and asteroids tell us about the origin and history of the Solar System. Chapter 9 reveals everything you ever wanted to know about comets, while Chapter 10 looks at the end products of comet disintegration: meteor shows, the Zodiacal Light, Band and Gegenschien. There is a wealth of basic data on asteroids in the appendices, plus a free copy of StarFall 2000 – the Non-Antarctic Meteorite Database listing details of more than 5,000 known specimens. Philip M. Bagnall has studied minor Solar System bodies for 30 years and his articles on the subject have appeared in magazines such as “Astronomy”, “Astronomy Now”, “Focus”, and “New Scientist”. His previous work on meteorites and tektites is “The Meteorite and Tektite Collector’s Handbook”. The new CD “Meteorites, Minor Planets and Meteors” is released by Positron Press, England, 2002. This CD is intended for those with a basic knowledge of science. Available in PC format only!
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Edited by: B. Zanda and Monica Rotaru. Written by a team of experts, “Meteorites – Their Impact on Science and History” is a very comprehensive guide that features over 200 full color photographs, diagrams, and graphs. Size of the book is 9″ X 6 3/4″, with 128 pages, pictorial soft cover. The book consists of a collection of 12 individual papers, written by internationally known meteoriticists. Within the book, the authors have covered an amazing diversity of topics. The book is literally filled with beautiful photographs illustrating all of the topics covered. An interesting feature is an indexed glossary, where the reader can look up a word and its definition, then refer to the pages in the book where each topic is discussed. Published by Cambridge University Press, 2001.
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By James P. Tobin, 194 Pages, 9 1/4” X 7 1/4”, with more than 50 black & white photos and several data tables, pictorial soft cover. This is the third and much expanded edition of James Tobin’s history of the first hundred years of investigations at Meteor Crater. Meteor Crater remains today the best preserved crater on Earth. It is still the wonderful natural laboratory for research that it was more than 100 years ago when researchers first acknowledged that it was an impact crater, caused by the impact of a very large meteorite. The dramatic story of Meteor Crater’s history is told in detail, and shown vividly in pictures. In addition to the historical material, the author takes the reader on guided tours of the rim and the floor of the crater. Every location of interest is visited, even those no longer accessible to the public. The author’s descriptions are accompanied with contemporary photos. The second half of the book is devoted to historical papers written by several of the earliest investigators. These papers are presented close to their original form, with all of the original historical photographs included. Commentary by the author is limited to before and after these early works, so as not to alter their form. Reading this work is as close to visiting the crater, as can be done with a book! Published in the USA, 2008. Image and Description Credit – Mineralogical Research Co.

By James P. Tobin, 43 pages, 8 1/4 X 5 3/8″ size, illustrated, pictorial soft cover. This completely revised, updated, and enlarged 2nd Edition contains a wealth of information on Meteor Crater, Arizona. In addition to information provided through the author’s considerable private research, he has included a wealth of information taken from older research papers and reports on the subject. Included are numerous black and white photographs covering scenes around the crater and crater floor, as well as photographs of iron meteorites from Meteor Crater (Canyon Diablo), Odessa, TX, Gibeon, Namibia, and Sikhote-Alin, Russia. Published by J. B. Tobin, 1998.
Image and Description Credit – Mineralogical Research Co.

By: Jim Tobin – Mr. Tobin, the author of the book by the same name, has now made his extensive studies of Meteor Crater available in CD-ROM format.  The following information is condensed from a book review written by Martin Horejsi, which appeared in “Meteorite!” magazine, May 1999, P. 41-42.  The CD is laid out in six sections. Navigation is easy, using obvious buttons and colored frames around graphics to indicate active links. The material on the CD is coded so it can be read using any html viewing program.

The first section begins with an introduction to the Solar System and the small bodies that cause impacts on Earth. The importance of this section is to provide background information, in which to place the resulting impact site here on Earth. The second section, entitled History of Explorations, provides an excellent, in-depth story full of pictures beginning in 1891. The early mining operations at Meteor Crater are a main focus, but this section also chronicles the interesting journey of scientific thought as it evolved through time…..it is hard to believe both how little, and how much, scientists knew about meteorites at the turn of the century compared to our current knowledge. The third section, Canyon Diablo Irons, describes the actual meteorite material found at the crater site. Explanations for impact material are provided, along with several pictures. Part four, Moment of Impact, contains more meteorite images as well as text explaining the scientific information gleaned from the artifacts remaining after the impact. The Conclusion contains a wrap-up of the crater’s history, along with its place in the surrounding geology. The section entitled Other Craters offers a glimpse into eight other cratering events. The final section covering Meteor Crater’s history is the Timeline. From 1886 to 1975, all major events at the crater are listed in chronological order. The user is then treated to a Walking Tour of the crater, featuring information about specific locations around the rim, as well as down to the crater floor. Meteor Crater is closed to public exploration, making this CD the only way most of us will ever explore the crater. Tobin has also included a reprint of Barringer’s 1909 paper about Meteor Crater, as well as some additional information about other craters and impact structures. In addition to all of the above, there is a very informative section covering tektites. In summary, this CD-ROM is a wealth of information for anyone interested in meteorites and craters accompanied by nice, easy to listen to electronic music.
Image and Description Credit – Mineralogical Research Co.

18″ tall X 14″ wide, extra sharp black & white line drawing reproduction of the topographical map featuring Meteor Crater and the immediately surrounding area, similar to the drawing to the left, but with superior quality resolution. 
Image and Description Credit – Mineralogical Research Co.

By Kathleen Mark, 288 pages, 9 X 6″, illustrated, hard and soft cover editions available. The idea that stones can fall from the sky was, until recently, regarded by scientists as absurd. Today more than 100 meteorite craters are known, suggesting that the Earth underwent intense meteoritic bombardment early in its existence. This book reveals the slow process by which the scientific community came to recognize meteorite craters, and to comprehend their significance. Astronomy magazine commented, in their review: “For an accurate, well-researched introductory overview of the field, you could not find a better book.” “Meteorite Craters” was first published by the University of Arizona Press in 1987, with the first paperback printing in 1995.
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By Willy Ley, Illustrations by John Bierhorst. 136 pages, 6 1/2 by 8 1/2 inches, hard cover Numerous charts, illustrations, and black & white photographs
Published, 1968
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By Roy A. Gallant. 240 pages, 6 1/4 by 9 1/4 inches, hard cover. Numerous black & white photographs. Published, 2002. Professor Roy Gallant, “The Indiana Jones of Astronomy” ranges across the vast wastes of Siberia, in search of meteorites and ancient meteorite craters in this fabulous science/adventure autobiography.
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by A. Bevan and J. de Laeter, 256 pages, 11″ X 9″, 160 color photographs, 20 b & w photos, plus numerous tables, maps, and diagrams, cloth binding. Meteorites – the fragments of space debris that survive their fall to Earth – have much to tell us. They hold answers to the complexities of star formation and can help to explain the earliest events in the birth of the solar system. They may also have brought to Earth the water in the oceans, gases of the atmosphere, and other essential ingredients for the evolution of life. This comprehensive book is an expertly guided, in-depth look at meteorites. The authors trace the formation and breakup of the planets, asteroids, and comets where meteorites originated, their long journey through space, their fall to Earth, their recovery, and what scientists are learning from them. The fist chapter contains information about historical beliefs and encounters with meteorites, historical uses of meteoritic iron, and the birth of the science of studying meteorites. Meteorites: A Journey Through Space and Time includes much of the evidence on which our current understanding of meteorites and planetary science is based. The book also contains a great deal of material about the “84001 Martian meteorite”, which has raised provocative new questions about life on the red planet. Looking forward, the authors chart the exciting new era of planetary, asteroidal, and cometary exploration planned for this century. The 160 color, and 70 b & w illustrations that illuminate the text present some of the most stunning examples of these ancient voyagers, taken from worldwide museum and private collections. A comprehensive Glossary of Terms is included, and the Index was very meticulously prepared to include information about all subjects discussed, as well as all meteorites described and pictured in the book. About the authors: A. Bevan is curator of minerals and meteorites at the Western Australian Museum in Perth, Australia; J. de Laeter is emeritus professor of physics at Curtin University in Perth. Copyright by the University of New South Wales, Australia. Published by the Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC, 2002.
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By Michael R. Jensen and William B. Jensen. A must have for even the most casual meteorite enthusiast, this new THIRD EDITION of “METEORITES FROM A TO Z” is a complete listing of all meteorites recognized by the Meteoritical Society up to Jan. 1, 2008, except numbered Antarctic specimens. This is the most complete listing available, in book form, of the over 10,000 recognized meteorite finds / falls. Features include:

*Main section lists 3,721 worldwide meteorites (up from 3,389 in the second edition). The numbered Saharan, Arabian peninsula and Antarctic meteorites are excluded.

*Additional section lists 6,366 (up from approx. 4,000 in the second edition) numbered Saharan and Arabian peninsula meteorites.

*Includes three indexes showing classification (10,087 listings), chronological order for falls (958 listings) and a geographical listing with 3,721 entries.

*Small and compact measuring 5.5” X 8.5”, with 287 pages.

*Plastic spiral binding for easy and full opening (rests flat for easy use next to the computer).

*Check box for inventorying and tracking your collection.

*References are included for changes in all categories including classification, TKW, dates.

With all the meteorites of recent years designated by only letters and numbers, this THIRD EDITION of “METEORITES FROM A TO Z” is a must have book for any collector. But, that is far from being the only reason to buy this book. It is a resource that many collectors have said they use daily. Bound in spiral binding, its 5.5” X 8.5” size is very convenient and easy to carry to shows, for use at auctions, or for on the spot information. Published by Michael R. Jensen, Aurora, Colorado, 2008.
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By Derek W. G. Sears, University of Arkansas, 222 pages, 9 5/8” X 6 3/4” (247 X 174 mm), with 26 line diagrams, 40 half-tones, 17 tables, hard cover. This is No. 3 in the Cambridge Planetary Science Series. Drawing on research from the various scientific disciplines involved, this text summarizes the origin and history of chondrules and chondrites. Including citations to every published paper on the topic, “The Origin of Chondrules and Chondrites” forms a comprehensive bibliography of the latest research. In addition, extensive illustrations provide a clear visual representation of the scientific theories. The text will be a valuable reference for meteorite collectors, graduate students, and researchers in planetary science, geology and astronomy.

Contents:
1. Historical introduction
2. Potential meteorite parent bodies
3. Chondrites and their main properties
4. Chondrules and their main properties
5. Theories for the origin of chondrules
6. Discussion of theories for the origin of chondrules
7. Making the chondrites: chondrule sorting and metal-silicate fractionation
8. So how far have we come and where do we go next?

The author is a researcher at the W. M. Keck Laboratory for Space Simulations, Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA. Published by the Cambridge University Press, January 2005.
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S. Ghosh and A. Dube, Geological Survey of India Catalogue Series No. 3, 308 pages, 9 1/2″ X 7″, pictorial soft cover, in English. The Geological Survey of India maintains a Meteorite Gallery in the Indian Museum, Calcutta, for public display. This catalogue includes pictorial documentation of morphological features of 100 of the meteorites in the collection. The catalogue includes 84 chondrites, 10 achondrites, and 6 irons. All of the surface morphological features are well documented with black & white photographs of each specimen and some new, eyewitness falls are described in detail. For each specimen the exact location of origin is given, date and time of fall / find, weight and dimension of the individual or total number of individuals or fragments recovered, degree of weathering and fracturing (if any), brief morphology, flight history, classification, a list of other worldwide institutions where specimens are available, and the photographic record of each specimen. In many cases, more than one view of a specimen is presented. Even if you have no meteorites in your collection from India, this pictorial catalogue is well worth having for its scientific value! There is a lot of general information about the surface features of the various types of meteorites to be studied and learned. Comparison of photographs of whole, uncut meteorites is an excellent way to learn about surface features – regmaglypts, flight orientation, etc. Published by the Government of India, Calcutta, India, 1999.
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By O. Richard Norton, 467 pages, 9 X 6″, 45 two-color illustrations, 33 color photographs, 260 black and white photographs, soft cover. This expanded and updated edition of the popular guide to all essential topics in meteoritics skillfully combines scientific information rarely found outside technical sources, with amazing anecdotes and how-to instructions rarely found in technical literature. With more than 50 new photographs and updated illustrations, plus new and expanded appendices, bibliography, glossary, and index, this non-technical introduction to the fascinating world of meteorites, asteroids, comets, and impact craters is now even more comprehensive! The SECOND EDITION journeys into the last frontier for close-up looks at the newest astronomical discoveries, and gives the latest information on meteorite chemistry and classification, as well as including all of the information originally printed in the 1994 FIRST EDITION. In the FIRST EDITION the author provided a non-technical, yet very comprehensive introduction to the fascinating world of meteorites, asteroids, comets, and impact craters. Part One tells the story of cosmic debris, beginning with an overview of meteorite falls, finds, and craters around the world. Part Two describes the origins and identifying characteristics of each type of meteorite. Part Three focuses on hunting and recovering meteorites, and profiles the colorful lives of two of this century’s most eminent meteorite hunters. The book ends with a look at where meteorites come from, and speculates about what the cosmos might hurl earthward in the future. Updated information includes data on recent observations on comets Hale-Bopp, and Shoemaker-Levy, with photos of the impact scar produced when the latter collided with Jupiter. A list of meteorite verification labs is given, a complete listing of meteorite dealers is provided, and a list of worldwide impact craters is given. The author, O. Richard Norton, is former director of the Grace Flandreau Planetarium and Science Center at the University of Arizona in Tucson, and the Fleischmann Planetarium at the University of Nevada in Reno. His articles on meteorites and their astronomical topics have appeared in “Sky and Telescope”, “American West”, and “Pacific Discovery”. Published in 1998 by Mountain Press Publishing Co., Missoula, MT.
Image and Description Credit – Mineralogical Research Co.

by M. & K. Killgore – 7 1/4″ X 10″ size, 200 pages, with nearly 500 full color photographs, pictorial hard cover. First class presentation! This new book is a comprehensive guide to the meteorite and tektite collection of Marvin and Kitty Killgore of the Southwest Meteorite Laboratory in Arizona. It is intended to be used for reference, and as a pictorial comparison. A brief synopsis on each specimen in the collection is given – name of the find / fall, location, date found, total known weight, classification, description, history, and data on specimens present in the collection. The authors share historical personal knowledge of events, explore significant features of collection pieces, and highlight the research value of certain meteorites. The Killgores have traveled to over 40 countries, and logged more than one million miles in their quest for meteorites. They have kept the best of the best from their acquisitions of meteorites over the years, and slowly built an absolutely outstanding collection. Over the years, focus has been on acquiring complete meteorite specimens with significant sizes, shapes, and features such as fusion crust, flight markings, etc., or slices and end pieces which allow a view into the interior structure and composition of the specimens. Their emphasis on very fine quality, visually attractive iron meteorites, including silicated irons and mesosiderites, is obvious when scanning through the numerous color photographs in the book. The Killgores also have a significant reference collection of thin sections of meteorites, and many of these are pictured in the book in full color. Approximately 200 specimens of tektites, including some absolutely outstanding examples of Australites and Moldavites, plus several examples of impact glass, are also catalogued. Many of these are accompanied by exceptional color photographs. The Southwest Meteorite Collection has become the largest privately owned collection of meteorites on earth. It weighs close to 4 tons in total, and represents more than 333 meteorite locations. Many specimens are the largest and finest found in any collection, worldwide. The collection houses many main masses, and significant amounts of the rarest meteorites on earth. This limited edition publication is surely destined to be on the list of rare meteorite books, in the future. Don’t miss this opportunity to add one of these to your reference library, and to take a visual tour of this world class collection. Published by Southwest Meteorite Press, 2002.
Image and Description Credit – Mineralogical Research Co.

by Hal Povenmire, edited by John A. O’Keefe, 9″ X 6″ size, 209 pages, with numerous B & W illustrations, photographs and maps, soft cover. This comprehensive book, published in 2003, covers all of the major knowledge to date on these strange glass meteorites. “Tektites, and their origin, have become one of the greatest scientific riddles of all time, yet books on Tektites are practically nonexistent. Here is an up to date, simply written book that includes interviews with the leading Tektite authorities. This book is made more fascinating by the fact that we now know that Tektites were deeply involved with the extinction of the dinosaurs.” Two world experts, Bill Glass and John O’Keefe, discuss theories of Tektite origins. This well illustrated book, clearly written for easy reading, gives an exciting insight for both student and professional.
Image and Description Credit – Mineralogical Research Co.

By Hal Povenmire, edited by Dr. John A. O’Keefe, 8 3/4 X 6 1/2″, 112 pages, illustrated, soft cover. This comprehensive book covers all of the up to date facts about the strange glass meteorites known as tektites. Two world experts, Bill Glass and Dr. John A. O’Keefe, discuss theories of tektite origins. This well illustrated book, clearly written for easy reading, gives an exciting insight into the current facts known about tektites, and will provide new knowledge for students, collectors, and professionals alike. The book features large print, and includes five black and white pictures and one map. Published in 1997.
Image and Description Credit – Mineralogical Research Co.

by Guy Heinen, 222 pages, 9.5” X 6.5”, soft cover, illustrated with 38 color photos, more than 50 black & white photos, line drawings, maps, and tables, pictorial soft cover.  This exciting and very authoritative book is divided into 36 chapters or sections.  It is well referenced and up to date.  Chapters cover all types of tektites or natural glasses, i.e., Australites, Moldavites, Ivory Coast tektites, North American tektites, the Australasian strewnfield, Asian tektites, Australites, Colombianites, Urengoites, Libyan Desert Glass, Zhamanshinites, Aouelloul Glass, Darwin Glass, fossil tektites, and others.  Theories of tektite formation, shapes, physical properties, sculpture, age, water content, and other topics are discussed in detail.  Color photos include collecting sites, photos of tektites and Libyan Desert Glass “in situ”, Earth and Lunar craters, geologic strata of collecting sites, as well as some astonishing color photos of various types of transparent / translucent tektites in incident and transmitted light.  The photos of inclusions (flow lines and gas pockets) within Moldavites are outstanding! The author includes a very helpful glossary, along with notes on some of the famous researchers in the field.  Published by the author, 1998.
Image and Description Credit – Mineralogical Research Co.

By Hal Povenmire,  9″ X 6″, 165 pages,  several b & w photos, soft cover.  This is the author’s third book covering meteorites / tektites, and related subjects.  In this publication, the author covers meteors, the appearance of a meteorite fall,  meteorite producing fireball events, and near misses with large meteorites around the world. The chapter on hits and injuries by meteorites covers several very large events.  He then discusses earth skimming meteoroids, unlikely and uproven events, as well as close encounters with asteroids and comets.  Space debris, flying saucers, and potpourri are discussed briefly.  This new book was published in 2003.
Image and Description Credit – Mineralogical Research Co.

By Robert T. Dodd, 196 pages, 9 1/2 X 6 1/4″, illustrated, soft cover. Meteorites, which range in size from particles of dust to massive chunks of metal and rock, bombard the Earth constantly, adding hundreds of tons of new material to our planet each day. What are these objects? How do we recover and study them? Where do they come from, and what do they tell us about the birth and infancy of the Solar system? Why do many scientists now believe that meteorites have played a dramatic, albeit occasional, role in the evolution of life on Earth? In “Thunderstones and Shooting Stars”, the author gives an up to date report on these questions. He summarizes the evidence that leads scientists to believe that most meteorites come from asteroids, although a few come from the Moon and a few more are from a planet, probably Mars. He explains how chondrites, the most numerous and primitive of meteorites, contribute to our evolving picture of the early Solar system and how some of them may tell us of events that took place beyond the Sun, and before its birth. Finally, he examines the controversial hypothesis that impacts by asteroids or comets have interrupted the evolution of life on Earth, accounting for such geological puzzles as the rapid demise of the dinosaurs. This lively, very readable book illuminates the complex science of meteoritics a science that is unlocking many mysteries of Earth and space. The book is fully indexed, and has numerous black and white photos of meteorites and tektites, as well as many tables and maps. Published by the Harvard University Press, 1986.
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By: Richard R. Willey, 47 pages, 11 X 8 1/2”, illustrated, soft cover. The Tucson Meteorites — the two known fragments totaling more than a ton of primordial space matter — were discovered during the first half of the 19th Century on the desolate Mexican frontier that later became the State of Arizona. In this book, Richard R. Willey recounts the bizarre history of these meteorites and explores the mystery, unresolved to the present day, of where they fell and whether more fragments remain to be found in the mountains of southern Arizona. Willey tracks the meteorites through years of confiscation and disputed ownership, to the Smithsonian Institution. The book features both historical illustrations and photographs of the meteorites, and also includes data on their physical characteristics. Willey’s story will leave readers with an enhanced appreciation of life on the early Arizona frontier, and of the facts surrounding the fate of the Tucson Meteorites in that frontier setting. Richard Willey is the former director of the Flandreau Planetarium at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Published by the University of Arizona Press, 1997.
Image and Description Credit – Mineralogical Research Co.