Donald Brownlee

Review of THE MEDEA HYPOTHESIS and other news from The Science Shelf

May 12, 2009 by Fred Bortz

I just e-mailed the "Bookonomic Stimulus Edition" of the Science Shelf Newsletter to subscribers.

It includes pointers to numerous new titles, including the one reviewed below. You might call that book "Goodbye Gaia; Hello Monster-Mom," but author Peter Ward prefers The Medea Hypothesis: Is Life on Earth Ultimately Self-Destructive?

'The end of the world' has already begun, scientists say

In its 4.5 billion years, Earth has evolved from its hot, violent birth to the celebrated watery blue planet that stands out in pictures from space. But in a new book, two noted astrobiologists say the planet already has begun the long process of devolving into a burned-out cinder, eventually to be swallowed by the sun.

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NASA's Stardust Comet-Chaser Passes Asteroid Test

All systems on NASA's Stardust spacecraft performed successfully when tested in a flyby of asteroid Annefrank on Friday, heightening anticipation for Stardust's encounter with its primary target, comet Wild 2, 14 months from now. As a bonus, Stardust discovered that Annefrank is about twice the size anticipated, but with a dimmer surface. The dimmer surface increased the challenge of sighting the object as the spacecraft approached.

Review of THE MEDEA HYPOTHESIS and other news from The Science Shelf

May 12, 2009 by Fred Bortz

'The end of the world' has already begun, scientists say

NASA's Stardust Comet-Chaser Passes Asteroid Test

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