Fundamental Astronomy [Hardcover]

H. Karttunen (Editor), P. Kröger (Editor), H. Oja (Editor), M. Poutanen (Editor), K.J. Donner (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 13, 2003 | ISBN-10: 3540001794 | ISBN-13: 978-3540001799 | Edition: 4th

Fundamental Astronomy gives a well-balanced and comprehensive introduction to the topics of classical and modern astronomy. While emphasizing both the astronomical concepts and the underlying physical principles, the text provides a sound basis for more profound studies in the astronomical sciences. The fourth edition of this successful calculus-based textbook and reference includes a wealth of new information and several chapters are restructured for clarity and improved organization. The chapters on radiation mechanisms and temperatures have been combined, and some of the material from the appendices has been redistributed to appropriate places throughout the text. In addition, the chapters on the solar system and cosmology are rewritten to reflect new understanding and tables in the appendix on the theory of relativity have been updated. Long considered a standard text for physical science majors, Fundamental Astronomy is also an excellent reference and entrée for dedicated amateur astronomers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For the book to reach the fourth edition, it must be hitting a niche in the market. The preface to the first edition in 1987 identifies that market as a ‘university textbook for a first course in astronomy’ which is also suited for serious amateurs who ‘find the popular texts too trivial’. In my opinion, that description from the original preface is ‘spot on’ and makes this volume a must-buy for any serious amateur looking for a comprehensive overview of matters astronomical." (Roger Feasey, Auckland Astronomical Society Journal, March 2004)

"This work remains a most excellent textbook for the student as well as the dedicated amateur astronomer." (ORION 62/321, )

"If you are looking for a solid undergraduate text outlining the physics which underpins so much of modern astronomy then this book will be a very useful addition to your personal library." (Astronomy Now, May 2004)

"… The wide range of expertise gives the book an authority that would be almost impossible for a single-author text ... There are other aids to the reader: worked examples ... starred sections in small print take the inquisitive reader beyond the general level of the book." (Nature)

"… Unique among available texts and has so much to offer ... No one involved in astronomy teaching will want to be without a copy." (The Physics Teacher)

"Gives a solid foundation to the basic ideas of astronomy in a clear and accessible fashion … Fundamental ideas are developed clearly and applied to real problems, and solutions are worked out." (Sky & Telescope)

From the reviews of the fourth edition:

"This book will well serve its readership which includes both undergraduate physical science and mathematics students … . covers all the important subjects of an introductory course in astronomy. … is beautifully illustrated with many black and white and color photographs, which will be most appealing … . they have produced a book that will prove useful for many years … . As such it is highly recommended … to the general reader who wants to be pleasantly and highly informed about astronomy." (Fernande Grandjean, Gary J. Long, Physicalia, Vol. 26(1), 2004)

"The book remains a calculus-based textbook and reference source containing many exercises … for the proper comprehension of the subjects treated. … This work remains a most excellent textbook for the student as well as the dedicated amateur astronomer. … can considerably widen the vision of the student … ." (Noël Cramer, ORIAN-Zeitschrift der Schweizerischen Astronomischen Gesellschaft Vol. 62(321), 2004)

"Fundamental Astronomy is both the title and an excellent description of the content … . is also suited for serious amateurs who "find the popular texts too trivial". In my opinion … this volume a must-buy for any serious amateur looking for a comprehensive overview of matters astronomical. … Its usefulness for education purposes is enhanced by worked examples in each section followed by exercises." (AAS Journal, March, 2004)

"This is the 4^th edition of this well known and well tested undergraduate-level text on astronomy. … All the derivations are well done and the problems selected for student work are interesting and will undoubtedly help the student in his or her studies. … if you are looking for a solid undergraduate text outlining the physics which underpins so much of modern astronomy then this book will be a very useful addition to your personal library." (Kevin P. Marshall, Astronomy Now, May, 2004)

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Finnish

Product Details

• Hardcover: 468 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 4th edition (August 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3540001794
• ISBN-13: 978-3540001799
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,607,610 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fundamental Astronomy Text, October 25, 2005

By 

Amateur Astronomer "Astro Art" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fundamental Astronomy (Hardcover)

As an amateur astronomer who loves theory and the math that goes with it, I found this text to be utterly exquisite for helping me recapture a lot of my old math skills. While the real amount of calculus needed in the text was not overtly taxing, I did find the text very useful indeed for requiring the use of a strong algebra background, along with lots of Trig, and of course, geometry and Calculus.

The problems in this book were intriguing, challenging and just awesome in every respect. For example, I found myself for the first time since I can recall, drawing Trig and geometrical diagrams to assist in visualizing a particular problem as an aid toward the ultimate answer! These problems, all of them mathematical in nature, are extremely interesting and encourage you to make a sketch of the phenomenon at hand in order to arrive at a solution.

And in addition to the problems, the text has very useful solved examples that show you how a particular problem calculation is reached. You really do learn a lot just from these examples.

I think the book might have benefitted from having even more exercises in it, which to me would make it even more useful for a semester university course in introductory Astrophysics. Instead of having 73 exercises, perhaps 150-200 problems would have been more 'whetting' to an appetite like mine is for Astronomy. But, I can heartily recommend that this book, if completed and all the problems worked, will definitely prepare one for a more challenging text with more Math and problems!

The authors could only improve this thing with more text length and more problems, as far as I am concerned. The appendixes and Tables in the back give the student a little bit of good background to the Math needed in the book as well.

This text is a complete WINNER in the category of INTRODUCTORY TEXTBOOKS for the beginning course in college Astronomy!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Astronomy Textbook!, January 23, 2004

By 

"lupus_" (Finland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fundamental Astronomy (Hardcover)

.This is a great and comprehensive primary textbook for a student. It is massive introduction to the huge field of astronomical study, and as such contains much of the basic concepts and plenty of hands-on exercises.
I have been mainly using the Finnish version, but having also browsed through the English one I can safely say that the two differ from each other only minimally and thus my experiences with the original hold true with the translation too.
As an end note I might point out, that even though having studied astronomy at the university, it is by no means my area of expertise: I'm majoring in linguistics. That alone, I think, proves how clear and well-written this tome really is: even an Arts students can read it and actually understand and learn! ;)

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fundamental Astronomy Reference, June 30, 2005

By 

R. Feasey (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fundamental Astronomy (Hardcover)

Fundamental Astronomy is both the title and an excellent description of the content of this handsome hard back volume. For the book to reach the fourth edition, it must be hitting a niche in the market. The preface to the first edition in 1987 identifies that market as a "university textbook for a first course in astronomy" which is also suited for serious amateurs who "find the popular texts too trivial". In my opinion, that description from the original preface is "spot on" and makes this volume a must-buy for any serious amateur looking for a comprehensive overview of matters astronomical.

The book covers the basics of astronomy, stellar astrophysics and mainly features of our Universe which are relatively close-at-hand. Large scale structure and cosmology are less than ten percent of the content. It covers all topics to considerable depth, far more so than most publications aimed at a general readership. It is mathematical, although the maths is present largely for academic completeness, and can be skimmed or by-passed as required without reducing to any great extent, the utility provided. Its usefulness for education purposes is enhanced by worked examples in each section followed by exercises.

Within its 19 major sections, it contains much relevant and dare I say fundamental material. The book is well illustrated with mainly monochrome plates which are relevant to the subject at hand plus many carefully constructed, concise graphics and illustrations.

This is a comprehensive reference volume, which will age but slowly on any serious amateur's book shelf, as the subject matter is largely timeless.