1. To check on the current state of Eta Carinae, consult Francis Reddy, “The Supernova Next Door,” Astronomy, 2007; 35 (6): 33-37. The possible connection between gamma-ray bursts and black holes is discussed by Steve Nadis, “The Secret Lives of Black Holes,” Astronomy; 2007, 35 (11): 29-33.
2. Various astronomical data sets present the orbits and properties of asteroids and comets. One of these is Arthur N. Cox, ed., Allen’s Astrophysical Quantities, 4th ed., (New York: Springer-Verlag, 2000).
3. To survey craters produced on Earth by past asteroid and comet impacts, see Francis Reddy, “Illustrated: Earth Impacts at a Glance,” Astronomy, 2008; 36 (1): 60-61. The possible problem posed by Apophis’s visit in 2026 is reviewed in Bill Cooke, “Fatal Attraction,” Astronomy, 2006: 34 (5): 46-51.
4. Many astronomy texts discuss the interaction of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with Jupiter. One is Eric Chaisson and Steve McMillan, Astronomy Today, 6th. ed. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 2008) (1999).
5. An excellent source to review many of the NEO-deflection concepts is T. Gehrels, ed., Hazards Due to Comets and Asteroids, (Tuscon, AZ: University of Arizona Press, 1994). The parasol concept was introduced in the paper by Gregory L. Matloff: “Applying International Space Station (ISS) and Solar-Sail Technology to the Exploration and Diversion of Small, Dark, Near Earth Objects (NEOs),” Acta Astronautica, 44, 151-158 (1999). For current model calculations regarding the solar collector, see Gregory L. Matloff, “The Solar Collector and Near-Earth Object Deflection,” Acta Astronautica, Volume 62, Issues 4-4, February-March 2008, pp. 334-337 and “Deflecting Earth-Threatening asteroids Using the Solar Collector,” Acta Astronautica, 2012..