This calculus-based introductory text thoroughly explains how and why certain astronomical phenomena occur and how astronomers collect and interpret information about stars and the solar system. Incorporates the most recent theories and findings in the field, including particle physics and cosmology, results from recent observations of space, and new information on star formation, the galactic center, and dark matter. Fully describes the nature and properties of stars; the cycle of stellar birth, life, and death; the nature of galaxies; and the overall structure of the universe. Throughout the book, the emphasis is on understanding phenomena by applying some basic physical principles to a variety of situations. Contains extensive examples, useful equations, problem sets, chapter summaries, and test examples.
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Instructor's Manual with Solutions available. -- The publisher, John Wiley & Sons
Book Description
This fully revised and updated text is a comprehensive introduction to astronomical objects and phenomena. By applying some basic physical principles to a variety of situations, students will learn how to relate everyday physics to the astronomical world. The text contains useful equations, chapter summaries, worked examples and end-of-chapter problem sets. It is suitable for undergraduate students taking a first course in astronomy, and assumes a basic knowledge of physics with calculus.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Generally good book with a few big flaws,
This review is from: Astronomy: A Physical Perspective (Paperback)
This book offers a good introduction to astronomy, with chapters devoted to everything from telescope technology to general relativity and cosmology. Its explanations are generally clear and instructive, although the sections on subjects like nuclear and particle physics could be a little overwhelming to the uninitiated - it's simply a lot of information to present in a relatively small amount of space, but the author does a decent job. The book gives a good understanding of the science aspect of astronomy, but rushes through some of the technicalities, with, for example, a surprisingly brief and uninformative section (3 pages!) on astronomical coordinates and timekeeping.
My big complaint about this book is that it is chock full of errors! Some entire diagrams need to be replaced, and more importantly, there are way too many errors in the equations and exercises. As a student with weekly problem sets to get through, I found this quite frustrating. In one case, an entire exercise was an error and had to be replaced with a different question. If you're thinking of using this book for a course, make sure you find the list of after press corrections, and hand it out on the first day of class.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent introductory astronomy textbook,
By Jill Malter (jillmalter@aol.com) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Astronomy: A Physical Perspective (Paperback)
I like this up-to-date textbook. I like the explanations, the diagrams, the marvellous photographs, the exercises. It covers pretty much everything I'd want as a teacher or student, and in well under 600 pages. Maybe the parts I liked best were the sections on relativity and cosmology. But it was all just great, as it sailed through telescopes, stars, spectra, binaries,the Sun, stellar evolution, the Milky Way, star formation, the interstellar medium, normal galaxies, active galaxies, clusters of galaxies, and the Sun's planetary system. The treatment of the solar planetary system included planetary atmospheres, surfaces, and interiors. It even talked about planetary resonances.
One weakness, to my way of thinking, was the overly brief appendix on astronomical coordinates and timekeeping. And there were a couple of minor topics I would have wanted to see mentioned. One was Gamma Ray Bursters. Another was Blue Stragglers.
2.0 out of 5 stars
Leaves much to be desired,
By Havisham (Cambridge) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Astronomy: A Physical Perspective (Hardcover)
I have to agree with Ballpoint legs - this textbook is adequate as a survey, but when it comes to the mathematical, the textbook fails to provide clear explanations of concepts that then lead into examples with reliable solutions. I have trouble feeling that I have a deep understanding of the concepts, and I feel unprepared for the problem sets in my class. Unfortunately, this is the textbook assigned. So much for going to an Ivy League institution.
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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subcentral point, stellar old age, minimum energy orbit, spectral line observations, higher mass stars, degeneracy pressure, virial mass, photospheric light, arc sec, tional potential energy, recent star formation, blackbody spectra, distance modulus, high mass stars, mass per particle, superluminal expansion, molecular clouds, flux freezing, mag fainter, lunar interior, interstellar lines, jeans length, luminosity profile, stellar sizes, spectroscopic parallax Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Solar System, Milky Way, Nobel Prize, Orion Nebula, Kitt Peak, Mauna Kea, Crab Nebula, Hubble Space Telescope, Mars Global Surveyor, William Keel, University of Texas, Great Red Spot, Kuiper Belt, Nova Mon, Andrea Ghez, Olympus Mons, Science Working Group, Andromeda Galaxy, University of California, Cerro Paranal, University of Alabama, Tarantula Nebula, Princeton University, Horsehead Nebula, Cerro Tololo Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
subcentral point, stellar old age, minimum energy orbit, spectral line observations, higher mass stars, degeneracy pressure, virial mass, photospheric light, arc sec, tional potential energy, recent star formation, blackbody spectra, distance modulus, high mass stars, mass per particle, superluminal expansion, molecular clouds, flux freezing, mag fainter, lunar interior, interstellar lines, jeans length, luminosity profile, stellar sizes, spectroscopic parallax Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Solar System, Milky Way, Nobel Prize, Orion Nebula, Kitt Peak, Mauna Kea, Crab Nebula, Hubble Space Telescope, Mars Global Surveyor, William Keel, University of Texas, Great Red Spot, Kuiper Belt, Nova Mon, Andrea Ghez, Olympus Mons, Science Working Group, Andromeda Galaxy, University of California, Cerro Paranal, University of Alabama, Tarantula Nebula, Princeton University, Horsehead Nebula, Cerro Tololo Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
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