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J. Brit. Astron. Assoc., 110, 2, 2000, p.102
Cambridge University Press, 1999. ISBN 0-521-58303-9 (hbk), 0-521-58751-4 (pbk). Pp xii + 310, £45.00/£16.95.
reviewed by Monica Grady
Meteorites and their Parent Planets is a complete introduction to the science of meteoritics, written by one of the community's foremost and respected experts on the subject. The book is a thorough revision and update of the first edition, published in 1987. Unlike many other texts on the subject, McSween has taken a much broader view of meteorites, by setting each different group in its wider astronomical context, relating (as the title suggests) materials to possible source objects. The first chapter provides a general introduction and historical background to the study of meteorites, outlining some of the most significant stages in the acceptance of meteorites as natural, extraterrestrial materials rather than objects of superstition. Here, the difference between a meteorite 'fall' and one that is 'found' is outlined, along with why this distinction is so important, and where the main meteorite collection areas are located. The significance of the terrestrial impact and cratering record is also discussed in the context of Near Earth Objects and their relationship to the general asteroid population.
The following six chapters comprise three linked pairs: Chondrites and chondrite parent bodies; achondrites and achondrite parent bodies; iron and stony-iron meteorites and their parent bodies. The structure of the paired chapters is generally similar: the first chapter describes the mineralogy, chemistry, petrogenesis and structure of the various meteorite groups in each class, whilst the second chapter goes on to discuss their progenitors. Topics such as asteroid classification, comets and interplanetary dust, principles of radiometric age-dating, noble gas chemistry, possible heat sources, cooling rate, etc. are introduced in the context of parent objects; whilst this is useful, it is sometimes a little disjointed.
The penultimate chapter (A Space Odyssey), a more in-depth review of asteroid dynamics, covers the delivery mechanism of meteorites to the Earth and their exposure history, whilst the final chapter (The Importance of Meteorites) provides a very brief description of some of the main problems in astronomy that can be illuminated through the study of meteorites. These problems include issues such as nucleosynthesis and the origin of elements, star formation and production of interstellar grains, and the origin of life on the Earth and (possibly) Mars.
The volume is copiously illustrated with clear and well-drawn diagrams. However, one big disappointment in an otherwise excellent text is that photographic plates have been reproduced so poorly, resulting in grainy black and white images that look as if they have been produced on a photocopier. Examples of meteorite thin sections, where differences in texture and composition are picked out by variations in grey scale colours, suffer particularly from this poor reproduction quality.
This text is an essential introduction for any student of meteoritics, whether professional or amateur. It provides sufficient background material to introduce important concepts and key ideas to non-specialists, whilst delving sufficiently deep into classification and inter-relationships between meteorite groups to satisfy more advanced students. The breadth of material to be covered has necessarily ensured that discussion of individual topics is often quite brief. It is therefore especially helpful to have the lists of suggested further reading that complete each chapter. It is also pleasing to find an appendix of minerals and a glossary that will be particularly useful to non-specialists. The text is written with a lightness of touch that makes even the most complex of problems accessible. I have no hesitation in recommending that this book is given a prominent place on any meteoriticist's bookshelf.
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