Minor bodies in the Solar System, though representing only a small fraction of the mass in the Solar System, may well play a fundamental role in terrestrial evolution. This book contains investigations of the dynamics and physics of comets, asteroids and meteor streams, and the rather controversial topic of periodic phenomena in the Solar System as signified by geological records, together with several associated developments in celestial dynamics. All these problems are interwoven. This book makes a contribution towards unravelling the nature of the interactions between the Earth and its celestial environment.

Investigates the dynamics and physics of comets, asteroids, and meteors, and--small as they are compared with other celestial bodies--what role they may play in terrestrial evolution. Also discusses the controversial question of periodic phenomena in the Solar System as embedded in geological records, and several associated developments in celestial dynamics. The 28 papers, from a conference in Kyoto, Japan, October-November 1991, considers such topics as structure and evolution of the Jupiter family, the origin of short-period comets, and shock metamorphism on the Moon. Reprinted from Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy, Vol. 54, Nos. 1-3, 1992. No index.
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