In this month’s reading selection, esteemed planetary geologist Erik Asphaug explores why the moon’s two sides are markedly different: the far side is mountainous, the near side has plains created by lava. In this exhilarating read, Asphaug takes us on a tour through the farthest reaches of our galaxy and of time itself to find out why our celestial satellite has such extraordinary geology.

Summary from publisher Harper Academic:

“An astonishing exploration of planet formation and the origins of life by one of the world’s most innovative planetary geologists.

Fourteen billion years ago, the universe exploded into being, creating galaxies and stars. Planets formed out of the leftover dust and gas that coalesced into larger and larger bodies orbiting around each star. In a sort of heavenly survival of the fittest, planetary bodies smashed into each other until solar systems emerged. Curiously, instead of being relatively similar in terms of composition, the planets in our solar system, and the comets, asteroids, satellites and rings, are bewitchingly distinct. So, too, the halves of our moon.”

Date: Sunday, November 26
Time: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Venue: Online meeting; details emailed with your registration confirmation.
Cost: Free (donations appreciated)

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