Astrophysics is Easy!: An Introduction for the Amateur Astronomer (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) [Paperback]

Michael D. Inglis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1852338903 | ISBN-13: 978-1852338909 | Publication Date: February 6, 2010 | Edition: 1st Edition.

Astrophysics is often - with some justification - regarded as incomprehensible without at least degree-level mathematics. Consequently, many amateur astronomers skip the math, and miss out on the fascinating fundamentals of the subject. In Astrophysics Is Easy! Mike Inglis takes a quantitative approach to astrophysics that cuts through the incomprehensible mathematics, and explains the basics of astrophysics in accessible terms. The reader can view objects under discussion with commercial amateur equipment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "Inglis … offers a handy, useful resource both for amateur astronomers and colleges with small student-oriented observatories. It will be useful for introductory astronomy courses that include some observations. … Many different kinds of stars are discussed with the appropriate physics. In addition, Inglis treats topics such as different kinds of galaxies, gravitational lensing, and Hubble’s Law, all done using mathematics no more sophisticated than arithmetic. For all good college libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers; lower-division undergraduates; two-year technical program students." (K. L. Schick, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (6), 2006) "Inglis begins by discussing all the fundamental tools of the trade and then moves on to the astrophysics of the interstellar medium stars, and finally galaxies. The text’s tone is friendly and conversational, and the author sprinkles in his own anecdotal experiences. The book is generously illustrated with black-and-white figures and a few color photographs. … Astrophysics Is Easy! is a must for any amateur astronomer who desires to learn more about the science of astronomy … ." (Jennifer Birriel, Sky and Telescope, May, 2008) "The author has set himself the goal of writing a book that is useful to the amateur astronomer who wants to know more about the beauty in the sky … . this book is affordable for many young scientists, physicists, or amateur astronomy groups. It will also be useful to professional astrophysicists who have to address a broad audience or prepare a lecture for a non-scientific public. … this book may encourage more young readers to pursue a career in science, maybe even in astrophysics." (Fernande Grandjean and Gary J. Long, Physicalia Magazine, Vol. 30 (4), 2008)

From the Back Cover

With some justification, many amateur astronomers believe astrophysics is a very difficult subject, requiring at least degree-level mathematics to understand it properly. This isn’t necessarily the case. Mike Inglis' quantitative approach to the subject explains all aspects of astrophysics in simple terms and cuts through the incomprehensible mathematics with which this fascinating subject is all too often associated. Astrophysics is Easy! begins by looking at the H-R diagram and other basic tools of astrophysics, then ranges across the universe, from a first look at the interstellar medium and nebulae, through the birth, evolution and death of stars, to the physics of galaxies and clusters of galaxies. A unique feature of this book is the way that Dr. Inglis lists example objects for practical observation at every stage, so that practical astronomers can go and look at the object or objects under discussion – using only easily-available commercial amateur equipment.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1st Edition. edition (February 6, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852338903
• ISBN-13: 978-1852338909
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,395 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but marred by many errors, July 11, 2010

By 

G. Smith (Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Astrophysics is Easy!: An Introduction for the Amateur Astronomer (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) (Paperback)

The book promises to present a treatment of astrophysics which can be understood at a reasonably deep level while keeping the mathematics in the background. To a large extent, the author succeeds in doing this. The main text has almost no mathematics, while for those who wish to go a little deeper into the subject matter, there are boxed paragraphs which explain the topic in more detail. All in all, this is a good book to read, but unfortunately there are many typographical mistakes, which can in some cases confuse the reader. For instance, in box 1.3 on p8, the word "distance" in the first line of the third paragraph from the end should read "luminosity". In Table 1.2 on p9, the very last entry in the right hand column should be 100,000,000 and not 10,000,000. On p19, the statement that temperature is proportional to temperature is incorrect. It is, as the author states a few lines above, proportional to the fourth power of temperature, which is not the same thing. Clearly the author is trying to simplify matters for the non-mathematical reader, but this is not license to make incorrect statements. Many of the coordinates given for various objects are incorrect. An observer using a goto telescope and the author's coordinates to point to the famous double-double in Lyra would end up with the telescope pointing deep into the southern hemisphere. Same comment about 61 Cygni, NGC 891 etc, etc.
If the author is contemplating a second edition, it should be thoroughly proof-read before publication. I would also suggest that footnotes, rather than end of chapter notes would be less disruptive when reading the book.

It is a pity that a book of such promise looks to have been produced in a rush. I still have no hesitation in recommending it, but the reader should not necessarily accept everything in it as correct.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intended to help the amateur astronomer take a step into the physics of astronomy, February 16, 2010

By 

Michael A. Duvernois (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Astrophysics is Easy!: An Introduction for the Amateur Astronomer (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) (Paperback)

This is a great little book. Whenever I give a talk on my astrophysics research (in high energy cosmic rays and neutrinos) to the amateur astronomers, I mention this book as a good step for expanding their knowledge of the science underlying their hobby. Professional and amateur astronomy are a long distance apart, though many scientists got interested in science first from looking at the skies. This book helps bridge the gap somewhat.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise Introduction to Astrophysics, August 17, 2008

By 

J. Wallace (UT,United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Astrophysics is Easy!: An Introduction for the Amateur Astronomer (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) (Paperback)

Don't let the size of this book fool you. It is packed with useful information and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about what they see in the night sky. Each section of the book has example objects to view...I really like that aspect of this book.

Don't be concerned about too much technical/mathematical detail. The material is presented in a way that's "meaty" and concise which makes it easy to get the most out of it.

Prior to reading this book I read a college level astronomy text and several amateur astronomy books. I would say this is an important addition to any amateur astronomer's bookshelf. The material is up to date and well presented.