The explosive growth of knowledge in the field of space exploration and, in particular the interdisciplinary character of the subject of collisions in the solar system, put the scientific interest of planetary and galactic astronomers, as well as specialists in geophysics, dynamics, and cosmochemistry in a common focus.
Obvious highlights include the explosion in the rate of discoveries of Kuiper belt objects; better understanding of dynamics of main belt asteroids and the processes affecting their injection into the inner planets crossing orbits; growing understanding of the importance of comets and asteroids in the delivery of volatiles to the inner planets and even possibly in life origin on the Earth; great acceleration of NEO discovery and more reliable prediction of their future threat to the Earth.
All these topics are thoroughly addressed and discussed by the top-level specialists in the field on the most comprehensive and unprecedented basis. Owing to its interdisciplinary character the book will undoubtedly meet an interest of specialists in the different fields of astronomy, planetary and Earth sciences.

Inhalt

Preface. Size-frequency distributions of planetary impact craters and asteroids; B.A. Ivanov, et al. The meteoroidal influx to the Earth; Z. Ceplecha. The impact record on asteroid surfaces; W.F. Bottke, Jr., R. Greenberg. Cometary Dynamics; H.F. Levison, M.J. Duncan. Variable Oort cloud flux due to the Galactic tide; J.J. Matese, et al. Galactic triggering of periodic comet showers and mass extinctions on Earth; M.R. Rampino. The role of non-gravitational forces in decoupling orbits from Jupiter; D.J. Asher, et al. The cometary contribution to planetary impact craters; H. Rickman, et al. Physical properties of planet crossing objects; D. Jewitt, Y. Fernandez. Distant comet observations; K.J. Meech, O.R. Hainaut. Long-term orbital evolution of protoplanets; K. Yoshinaga, et al. Accretional origin of the giant planets and its consequences; W.-H. Ip, J.A. Fernandez. N-body simulations of Moon accretion; S. Ida, et al. Volatile inventory and early evolution of the planetary atmospheres; M.Y. Marov, S.I. Ipatov. From the interstellar medium to planetary atmospheres via comets; T.C. Owen, A. Bar-Nun. Dust influx to Titan from Hyperion; A.V. Krivov, M. Banaszkiewicz. Collisional effects in the Edgeworth-Kuiper belt; D.R. Davis, P.F. Farinella. In Memoriam: Paolo Farinella; D.R. Davis. Origin and evolution of near Earth asteroids; A. Morbidelli. Formation of asteroid families and delivery of NEO showers from the main belt; V. Zappala, A. Cellino. Near-Earth asteroid surveys; A.W. Harris. NEO, the Spaceguard system and the Spaceguard Foundation; A. Carusi. Index.