The solar system has always been a messy place in which gravity wreaks havoc. Moons form, asteroids and comets crash into planets, ice ages commence, and dinosaurs disappear. By describing the dramatic consequences of such disturbances, this authoritative and entertaining book reveals the fundamental interconnectedness of the solar system - and what it means for life on Earth. Here, Alan Rubin provides succinct and up-to-date accounts of the energetic interactions among planetary bodies, the generation of Earth's magnetic field, the effects of other solar-system objects on our climate, the heating of asteroids, and the origin of the mysterious tektites. Along the way, Rubin introduces us to the individual scientists - including the famous, the obscure, and the newest generation of researchers - who have enhanced our understanding of the galactic neighborhood.