A Rending Clash of Worlds: The Astronomers

In 1871 an astronomer in Europe discovers an asteroid on a unique Earth-crossing orbit. Motivated by this unusual discovery, astronomers around the world begin to search for Earth-approaching asteroids, a difficult and nearly futile task until photographic technology arises to permit effective searches. The science and mathematics for tracking and predicting the orbits of these asteroids develops slowly, until by about 1890 it becomes clear that the first discovered near-Earth asteroid is passing ever closer to Earth on each trip around the Sun, one orbit every six years.

It becomes clear that the asteroid, now named Thanatos, will pass extremely close to Earth, close enough to be a serious collision hazard, in 1938. Is this a death sentence for Earth? A young American astronomer sees this as a challenge to mankind to set aside their political and religious differences and work together for a common path to survival.

This book recounts the global struggle to save Earth from impending doom, through learning about our planetary environment, and then by developing the technologies needed to defend life on Earth against the coming threat.