Customer Reviews

Astronomy: Journey to the Cosmic Frontier Fourth Edition with Starry Nights Pro CD-ROM (v.3.1)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was an excellent book and fun to read. I've been a lover of astronomy for 7 years since I was 13 years old! I've read dozens of astronomy books and this one really is a great one. It definitely made my class easier and more enjoyable. The CD-ROM helps too! Nice big book with tons of color pictures, and interesting facts. Not boring at all. It was a good choice for the class.

This book is a well expresed and enjoyable introduction toastronomy; pictures and graphics, text-boxes on seminal concepts,clear writing do it an amazing reading. Programs and texts on CD arethe precise aid to textbook as a powerful tool for those that want learn about modern astronomy, this thanks to up-to-date references and glossary.

I have taught astronomy in high school and college for 25 years, and for the last 7 - I have used John Fix's Astronomy. The text is clear, easy to read and does not assume a great deal from the reader in the way of advanced knowledge of physics or astronomy.

The suplemental materials and on-line interactives are first rate, and I especially like the historical perspective of the rise of Western Astronomy from across many cultures.

If I could change anything, I would add a better section on geometric optics (lens and mirror theory, ray diagrams, how a telescope and binocular work, etc.), and a more comprehensive section on Einstein's Relativity - especially on the curvature of spacetime.

Any beginning student or instructor would do well to use this text - an excellent value. Do not however, get the edition with Starry Night software - overpriced and cumbersome. I use free planetarium software from Stellarium.org in my classes - it saves students money and works just as well.

Dr. Eugene Allen Grim
Associate Prof. Astronomy
Republic College

Its a good read, clear definitions, emphasis on getting sence of things, and simple relationships (say lifetimes scales as inverse of mass squared) but rather poor problems if one intends to use as a textbook... a 100lvl classes only :)

This is quite possibly one of the worst text books I have ever had the displeasure to read. I have no doubt that the author is a person of great intelligence, but his ability to write effectively and provide clear explanations is sorely lacking. The main problem deals with his lack of attention to detail when explaining fundamental concepts.

My main issue comes into play with the problems section of the book, supposedly designed to test one's knowledge/comprehension of the subject covered in that chapter or building on the preceeding chapters. However, this is not the case. The problems will hint to equations that do not exist in the text or asks questions too ambiguous for an accurate understanding. Answers are given in the back of the book, but no work is shown in how to arrive at those conclusions.

Honestly, I'd get more out of my Astronomy class if I had just been turned loose on the internet with a set of problems to solve.

Don't waste your money.

I had to buy this book for a class, but given textbooks in general, this one is perfectly adequate.

The book was in mint condition. I received it promptly. I am confused though as to the record of it's purchase date. I bought this book in early September and the notification I just received says I purchased it yesterday. Other than that, no complaints.