Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe, Fourth Edition [Paperback]

Eric Chaisson (Author), Steve McMillan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0131007270 | ISBN-13: 978-0131007277 | Publication Date: July 23, 2003 | Edition: 4

For one-semester Introduction to Astronomy courses.The authors incorporate three themes in the briefer of their two textbooks; process of science (how we know what we know), the size and scale of the universe as well as the evolution of the universe. A Beginner's Guide emphasizes critical thinking and visualization, and a leading-edge technology program.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Like its best-selling predecessor, Astronomy Today (1993), this text presents scientific literacy in the context of astronomy, teaching students to think critically and analytically about the physical world and the development of science. The text requires a minimum level of simple algebra and trigonometry (less than Astronomy Today) and maintains the parent text's visual emphasis through an illustrative program sure to become the market standard. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

Astronomy Today 4/e (ISBN 0-13-091542-4) is the more comprehensive text by this: proven team of authors. This twenty-eight chapter text begins with the foundations of the history of science and physics as they relate to astronomy (Part One), then proceeds with an "Earth-out" organization for coverage of the solar system (Part Two), stars and stellar evolution (Part Three), and galaxies and cosmology (Part Four). New with the fourth edition, the book is now available in two paperback splits:

Astronomy Today 4/e: The Solar System (ISBN 0-13-093560-3) covers Part One on foundations (Chapters 1-$); Part Two on the solar system (Chapters 6-15); the Sun chapter (Chapter 16); and the final chapter on life in the universe (Chapter 28).

Astronomy Today 4/e: Stars and Galaxies (ISBN 0-13-093571-9) includes Part One on foundations (Chapters 1-S); Part Three on stars and stellar evolution (Chapters 16-22); and Part Four on galaxies and cosmology (Chapters 23-28).

Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe 4/e (ISBN 0-13-100727-0) is the authors' briefer text. It covers the same scope of material in the same order as Astronomy Today 4/e, but with less detail and in fewer chapters (eighteen instead of twenty-eight) and fewer pages.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 552 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 4 edition (July 23, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131007270
• ISBN-13: 978-0131007277
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,672 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Textbook, February 28, 2001

By 

cinemagirl (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

For anyone who has a vague interest in astronomy, this would be the book to read. Albeit not entirely simple, this is a relatively straight forward book that uses excellent examples to explain difficult concepts. There are many charts and diagrams. How exactly does a black hole work? What's the difference between a nova and a supernova (not as simple as you might think)? Why do we get meteor showers? There is a bit of mathematics involved, but nothing too intimidating. This is an excellent textbook. Best of all, a CD-ROM is included with lots of multimedia content, study questions, and links to more sources. Avoid other dry textbooks and purchase this one.

4.0 out of 5 stars Not hard to read at all!, July 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Astronomy: A Beginners Guide to the Universe, 2000 Media Update Edition (Paperback)

This book is exactly what it claims to be: "A Beginners Guide to the Universe." I had a vague interest in astronomy and picked up this book to see if this interest could be further developed. There was information about a wide variety of topics: the planets, telescopes, and, of course, stars. While the reading was not thrilling, it never got too specified which would have made it hard to read. There were also some nice little pieces of history here and there, which I really liked. All in all, a good basic source of information about all aspects of astronomy.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Astronomy book, January 12, 2008

By 

Jennifer Salazar-meixner "jenn2277" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

I was very pleased with the timeliness of delivery as well as the condition of this book. Excellent condition.