Astronomy! A Brief Edition [Paperback]

James B. Kaler (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 067398561X | ISBN-13: 978-0673985613 | Publication Date: January 8, 1997 | Edition: Revised

For the beginner, this revised, edition of the text has been updated and shortened. It includes 12 background essays which seek to make astronomy relevant to everyday life with discussions of ancient astronomy, how to oberve the sky, and hypothetical trips to the moon and planets. James Kaler relates modern astronomy to identifiable subjects and events such as the daily movement of celestial bodies, sunrises, sunsets and the movements of the planets. In the comparative planetology sections, he emphasizes the differences and similarities of all planets to each other and the Earth.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. James B. Kaler is a Professor of Astronomy at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research area, in which he has published over 100 papers, involves dying stars. He has held Fulbright and Guggenheim Fellowships, has been awarded medals for his work from the University of Liege and the University of Mexico, has written for a variety of magazines, was a consultant for Time-Life Books on their Voyage Through the Universe series, and appears frequently on Illinois television and radio. His books include Stars and their Spectra (Cambridge University Press), Stars (Scientific American Library), Astronomy! (HarperCollins), The Ever-Changing Sky (Cambridge), Astronomy! A Brief Edition (Addison-Wesley), and Cosmic Clouds (Scientific American Library). He has also developed, with Sarah Kennedy, the scientific kit Elements of the Universe. He is a past president of the Champaign-Urbana Symphony.

Product Details

• Paperback: 533 pages
• Publisher: Benjamin Cummings; Revised edition (January 8, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067398561X
• ISBN-13: 978-0673985613
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,405,595 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Observatory backup book. High school senior or College 101 Astronomy course, April 16, 2011

By 

Thomas Erickson (Lutz Fl and Felt Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Astronomy! (Hardcover)

As an amateur astronomer of 40 years I wanted a backup book for myself and others to use for our astronomy club to be used at our observatory.

Even though this book is dated 1994 most of the information is fine and will not change. You may need a later copy for exoplanet exploration or specific technology after 1994. I got a used copy in good condition for about $1.50 plus shipping and handling. Fine for general Astronomy.

Lots of color pictures. James Kayler uses a sensible method of explaining from the simpler subjects to the more complex. There are elementary and more advanced questions and answers on each subject. The book would make a great textbook for a high school senior or college freshman taking an Astronomy 101 course. Not too difficult in math and most should be able to follow the subjects without too much difficulty.

Parts are...Classical, Physical,Planetary and Stellar Astronomy. Birth and Death In the Galaxy and Galaxies and the Universe. James Kayler did a good job and covered all the important bases. This book should give readers the knowledge and excitement of Astronomy for them to explore the wonders of the Universe more. 4 stars and recommended.