Cosmic Catastrophes

Seven Ways to Destroy a Planet Like Earth

Part of Smithsonian

In the vast realm of outer space, accidents happen all the time. Things bump into each other. Stars blow up. Space rocks smash into planets. Black holes gobble up everything in their path. The sun is burning out. A comet swarm is bearing down. Any of this could change—or even eliminate—life on a planet like Earth.

Countdown to cosmic catastrophes!

From asteroid hit to alien invasion, astronomer David Aguilar builds the scientific case for seven extreme events that could impact Earth. (Though not as we know it: most of these catastrophes are way down the cosmic line . . . we hope!) He tells an exciting nonfiction story about how and why these space catastrophes could happen and then creates beautiful, original art to show just how devastatingly spectacular it will be when any one of these seven “big ones” hit!

The SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION is the world’s largest museum and research complex. Founded in 1846, it includes nineteen museum and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research facilities. Its vast collections house 138 million artifacts, specimens, and works of art, which represent our nation’s rich heritage, art from across the globe, and the immense diversity of the natural and cultural world.
© Aspen Skies
DAVID A. AGUILAR is an internationally recognized astronomer. He is the author and space artist of nine National Geographic and three Random House award-winning books, including: 7 Wonders of the Milky Way, a lively galactic journey through our home in the cosmos and Luna: The Science and Stories of Our Moon. He is an on-screen contributor and space artist for the History Channel's Universe series, the Science Channel's NASA's Unexplained Files, and the NHK (Japanese National Television Corporation) Cosmic Front series. In 2015, he joined NASA's New Horizons Mission Team as part of the historic Pluto Mission, and later in 2018-19, the Ultima Thule Kuiper Belt (KBO) Flyby Mission. In 2010, Asteroid 1990DA was named to honor his exceptional decades-long work to advance science education outreach.
CHRISTINE PULLIAM is the news director for the Space Telescope Institute in Baltimore, MD, and the past manager of media relations for the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, MA. In her spare time, she flies airplanes.
PATRICIA DANIELS has written more than a dozen science and history books for adults and children, including the National Geographic Encyclopedia of Space and Constellations: My First Pocket Guide. View titles by David A. Aguilar

About

In the vast realm of outer space, accidents happen all the time. Things bump into each other. Stars blow up. Space rocks smash into planets. Black holes gobble up everything in their path. The sun is burning out. A comet swarm is bearing down. Any of this could change—or even eliminate—life on a planet like Earth.

Countdown to cosmic catastrophes!

From asteroid hit to alien invasion, astronomer David Aguilar builds the scientific case for seven extreme events that could impact Earth. (Though not as we know it: most of these catastrophes are way down the cosmic line . . . we hope!) He tells an exciting nonfiction story about how and why these space catastrophes could happen and then creates beautiful, original art to show just how devastatingly spectacular it will be when any one of these seven “big ones” hit!

The SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION is the world’s largest museum and research complex. Founded in 1846, it includes nineteen museum and galleries, the National Zoological Park, and nine research facilities. Its vast collections house 138 million artifacts, specimens, and works of art, which represent our nation’s rich heritage, art from across the globe, and the immense diversity of the natural and cultural world.

Author

© Aspen Skies
DAVID A. AGUILAR is an internationally recognized astronomer. He is the author and space artist of nine National Geographic and three Random House award-winning books, including: 7 Wonders of the Milky Way, a lively galactic journey through our home in the cosmos and Luna: The Science and Stories of Our Moon. He is an on-screen contributor and space artist for the History Channel's Universe series, the Science Channel's NASA's Unexplained Files, and the NHK (Japanese National Television Corporation) Cosmic Front series. In 2015, he joined NASA's New Horizons Mission Team as part of the historic Pluto Mission, and later in 2018-19, the Ultima Thule Kuiper Belt (KBO) Flyby Mission. In 2010, Asteroid 1990DA was named to honor his exceptional decades-long work to advance science education outreach.
CHRISTINE PULLIAM is the news director for the Space Telescope Institute in Baltimore, MD, and the past manager of media relations for the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, MA. In her spare time, she flies airplanes.
PATRICIA DANIELS has written more than a dozen science and history books for adults and children, including the National Geographic Encyclopedia of Space and Constellations: My First Pocket Guide. View titles by David A. Aguilar

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