Astronomy on the Personal Computer [Hardcover]

Oliver Montenbruck (Author), Thomas Pfleger (Author), Storm Dunlop (Translator), Richard M. West (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 3540672214 | ISBN-13: 978-3540672210 | Publication Date: May 11, 2009 | Edition: 4th

A thorough introduction to the computation of celestial mechanics, covering everything from astronomical and computational theory to the construction of rapid and accurate applications programs. The book supplies the necessary knowledge and software solutions for determining and predicting positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, minor planets and comets, solar eclipses, stellar occultations by the Moon, phases of the Moon and much more. This completely revised edition takes advantage of C++, and individual applications may be efficiently realized through the use of a powerful module library. The accompanying CD-ROM contains the complete, fully documented and commented source codes as well as executable programs for Windows 98/2000/XP and LINUX.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From the Back Cover

Astronomy on the Personal Computer provides the reader with a thorough introduction to the computation of celestial mechanics, which is of particular significance to astronomical observations. Covering everything from astronomical and computational theory to the construction of rapid and accurate applications programs, this book supplies the necessary knowledge and software solutions for determining and predicting the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, minor planets and comets, solar eclipses, stellar occultations by the Moon, phases of the Moon and much more. This completely revised edition makes use of the widely implemented programming language C++, and individual applications may be efficiently realized through the use of a powerful module library. The accompanying CD-ROM contains, in addition to the complete, fully documented and commented source codes, the executable programs for use with the Windows 98/2000/XP and LINUX operating systems.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 316 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 4th edition (May 11, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3540672214
• ISBN-13: 978-3540672210
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #890,768 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional value for money, January 12, 2002

By 

Dan Dill (Boston MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Astronomy on the Personal Computer (Hardcover)

What I appreciate about this book is that details of many aspects of astronomical computations are clearly explained together with extensively documented full C++ source code and references for further information. As a bonus, extensive star catalogues are supplied, for use with, for example, astrometry.

C++ is *not* my language of choice, but the authors seem to have done a masterful job of using C++ features well, while avoiding obfuscation. Initially at least, I am translating things as I go into Mathematica, as a check that I am understanding what I am reading.

All in all, for getting under the hood, I think Montenbruck and Pfleger provide exceptional value for money.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Astronomy (Pascal Style), October 20, 2010

By 

A. J. Goldstein "jeffgold" (Virginia Beach VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Astronomy on the Personal Computer (Hardcover)

I was a little disappointed with the book's programming code in Pascal. I was hoping at least it was in a more modern language such as C++ or Java, however, the algorithms work well on the generic Pascal compiler. There are too many programs for the average person just to type in, so I suggest getting the book with the media included. Mine came with a 3 1/2" floppy disk (can you tell this was from the 90's). Most machines don't even have floppy disks any more. I had to put this in my older laptop with my floppy to transfer the programs to my jump drive.

Overall, I like the book, and I suppose for a few more dollars I can get these programs in the "modern languages". Thank you for reading this review.

5 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good C++ book for astromical calc, September 20, 2003

By 

fjsuva "bitstream vlbi" (Yokohama Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Astronomy on the Personal Computer (Hardcover)

This book does not use c-like/c++ but true c++. It begins with Vec3D class hiding private menbers. I learn many things of objective astronomical calc from this book.