Did you know that as you read these words showers of high-speed particles from exploding stars are raining down on you? This book reveals the startling ways life on Earth is touched by our cosmic environment, and demonstrates why without such contact, life itself wouldn't be possible.
"Jim Kaler, who has passionately and expertly described the stars and their vagaries, now brings the whole Universe--from the tides through hypernovae and gamma-ray bursts--to general readers. His writing is not only clear and straightforward but also correct and up to date, addressing both standard topics and the latest astronomical goodies."--Jay M. Pasachoff, Williams College
""Heaven's Touch" examines the physical effects of gravity, radiation, solar storms, asteroid and comet impacts, cosmic rays, supernovae, and gamma-ray bursts on our home planet. Its conclusions are significant: our planet does not exist in isolation but rather is part of a complex planetary, stellar, and galactic system whose influences are profound. I found myself propelled along in the reading."--J. Michael Shull, University of Colorado at Boulder
""Heaven's Touch" presents the diverse ways that astronomical objects affect the Earth and humans, beyond their visual appearance in the sky. Kaler is a senior astronomer with an excellent reputation as a researcher, educator, and author. There is a lot of good material here that has not featured in very many popular astronomy books."--Chris Impey, author of "The Living Cosmos"
""Heaven's Touch" contains much of interest that should be informative and engaging to readers."--Donald Brownlee, coauthor of "Rare Earth"
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Heaven's Touch is a thought-provoking and inspiring book that will leave readers with a deeper appreciation for the vastness and complexity of the universe. . . .It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in astronomy, cosmology, or the origins of life."
---Gerrard Russell, Magonia Review of Books
