The Cambridge Atlas of Astronomy [Hardcover]

Jean Audouze (Editor), Guy Israel (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521434386 | ISBN-13: 978-0521434386 | Publication Date: November 28, 1994 | Edition: 3

This new edition is an unrivalled source of information and images covering the whole of modern astronomy. Its 130 articles written by experts form an absorbing panorama of information arranged by topic. Almost every page of the Atlas is richly illustrated with colour photographs, maps, and detailed diagrams. This reference book commences with a survey of the Sun and the solar system, followed by the stars and the Galaxy, and concludes with the extragalactic universe and cosmology. For this edition there are entirely new sections on the planets Venus, Neptune and Pluto, solar system debris, black holes and collapsed stars, active galaxies, galaxy clusters and cosmology. Many photographs have been replaced by improved images from modern telescopes, including the Hubble Space Telescope. An elaborate 24-page glossary and index has been added to increase the ease with which this sumptuous and lavish encyclopedia can be used for quick reference. There are substantial changes throughout the section on the Solar System. The material on Venus is re-written, to take account of the spectacular Magellan mission. The Mars chapter now includes the Phobos results. In the outer solar system new results on the satellites of Jupiter and Saturn are included, as well as new photographs from the Hubble Space Telescope. There is also a new chapter on planetary climate change. The section on stars and the Galaxy now includes chapters on astrometry and protoplanetary systems, as well as many modifications to the existing texts on evolved stars.

Editorial Reviews

Review

' ... beautiful, clear and enthralling, the story of our universe being unveiled in a fascinating way ...' The Times Higher Education Supplement

' ... this is a beautifully produced book of great pedagogic value. Amateur astronomers, high school students and professionals will find here a visual display which is both arresting and informative.' Nature

'The lavishly illustrated Atlas ranges from our Sun and solar system through stars and galaxies to the Universe and cosmology. The added glossary and index makes it ideal for use as a reference book.' Physics World

'stupendous in its coverage and illustrations' Daily Telegraph

Book Description

This important reference work has been completely updated. Expanded by an additional 32 pages, the new edition integrates excellent illustrations with an informative text.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 471 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 3 edition (November 28, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521434386
• ISBN-13: 978-0521434386
• Product Dimensions: 14.3 x 10.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,067,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for anyone interested in Astronomy, November 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cambridge Atlas of Astronomy (Hardcover)

This is astronomy in a very big nutshell. This tome starts off with a very brief history of astronomy then it explores the universe from the inside out.

Early chapters deal with the sun, planets and the interstellar medium. Terrestrial planet descriptions include gorgeous topographies, volcanic and techtonic activity and internal structures. Chapters on gas giants include rings, clouds and magnetospheres. All satellites receive the same attention to detail as the planets. This book is thorough!

A salient point is this atlas is its treatment of the HR diagram--the Rosetta stone of astronomy. If you know the HR diagram you know a big chunk of astronomy. This book teaches you all about it in page after page of beautiful prints and pictures.

Later chapters deal with stellar evolution, galactic structure, quasars and finally cosmology. From nebulae to black holes to the debate on extra-terrestrial life this book covers it all!

The best thing about this atlas is that anyone can pick it up and read it. True, it's more than just a bunch of pretty pictures. It's technical but not TOO technical. It's meant for serious astronomers as well as someone just plain interested in space stuff.

Visually stunning as well as topically complete this is quite simply the best book on astronomy I have ever seen. You won't be disappointed.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful and absorbing look at the Universe., August 13, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Tallahassee, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cambridge Atlas of Astronomy (Hardcover)

This book covers the entire range of the subject, from the Earth to the Universe and all in between. It is well illustrated with many supporting topic boxes containing more detailed explainations of the underlying physics and chemistry. The topics are well ordered and explained. My only complaint is it is a very large book making it difficult to curl up with, but if it were not big, the photographs would not be as stunning. I pick this book up often and spent many hours exploring the Universe with it

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars no atlas, but scientific articles, for amateurs ?, November 9, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (amsterdam, netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cambridge Atlas of Astronomy (Hardcover)

Beuatiful pictures, but rather scientific/technical book, per item articles. An amateur who has read Hawkins, Griffin, Davies etc (like me) can understand about 50 % of the written part. No atlas !