Fundamentals of Solar Astronomy (World Scientific Series in Astronomy and Astrophysics) [Hardcover]

Arvind Bhatnagar (Author), William Livingston (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 9812382445 | ISBN-13: 978-9812382443 | Publication Date: April 15, 2005

There are several textbooks available on solar astronomy which deal with advanced astrophysical aspects of solar physics, and books which provide very elementary knowledge about the Sun. This book will help to bridge the gap. It aims to stimulate interest in solar astronomy, presenting at one place the basic methods and techniques used in the field, together with the latest findings and the excitement in solar physics. As solar astronomy is becoming very popular among amateur astronomers and laymen, the book provides the practical knowledge to build simple solar telescopes and other equipment for making solar observations. Amateur astronomers have made important contributions to solar astronomy, and this book will help to guide them in their endeavours. The book can also serve as a text for undergraduate and graduate students starting out on solar physics. Using it, graduate students can easily embark on specific topics of research in solar astronomy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

... a good textbook for undergraduate and graduate students ... instructive and useful. -- Jingxiu Wang, Chinese Academy of Sciences

...presents fascinating comparisons of the detail in historic drawings of the Sun with modern high-resolution photographs. -- Physics Today

This book is mainly addressed to those who are starting to study the sun. -- Zentralblatt MATH

Product Details

• Hardcover: 468 pages
• Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company (April 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9812382445
• ISBN-13: 978-9812382443
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,650,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ideal for the Advanced Amateur, October 26, 2005

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fundamentals of Solar Astronomy (World Scientific Series in Astronomy and Astrophysics) (Paperback)

The Sun, our closest star, has been studied for centuries. Stonehenge, built around 5,000 years ago is basically a solar observatory.

This book is mainly addressed to those who are starting to study the Sun either as amateurs or professionals. Although this book is by professionals and is used as a text for upper level undergraduate and graduate level classes, it stresses the work being done by amateurs with very small telescopes.

This book is positioned between the very elementary level books and the advanced astrophysical texts. It is obviously written as a labor of love. The two authors have almost a century of experience between them. They have spent their working careers studying the sun. They talk about everything from the early myths to the latest scientific findings. Equipment from building your own to the new SOLAR-B satellite planned for launch in September of 2006. (Actually the book says August 2005, but it's been delayed.)

This book is an excellent introduction to the interested reader.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not very enlightening, May 11, 2006

By 

L. Blodgett (Eau Claire,WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fundamentals of Solar Astronomy (World Scientific Series in Astronomy and Astrophysics) (Paperback)

Very involved concepts discussed by experts. This is a textbook for advanced students. I just wanted more information on the Sun while using my small H-alpha telescope. Too deep for me!