Customer Reviews

Astronomy on the Personal Computer

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I`m very intresting this book (disk