Orbital Motion, Fourth Edition [Paperback]

A.E. Roy (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0750310154 | ISBN-13: 978-0750310154 | Publication Date: December 31, 2004 | Edition: 4

Long established as one of the premier references in the fields of astronomy, planetary science, and physics, the fourth edition of Orbital Motion continues to offer comprehensive coverage of the analytical methods of classical celestial mechanics while introducing the recent numerical experiments on the orbital evolution of gravitating masses and the astrodynamics of artificial satellites and interplanetary probes.

Following detailed reviews of earlier editions by distinguished lecturers in the USA and Europe, the author has carefully revised and updated this edition. Each chapter provides a thorough introduction to prepare you for more complex concepts, reflecting a consistent perspective and cohesive organization that is used throughout the book. A noted expert in the field, the author not only discusses fundamental concepts, but also offers analyses of more complex topics, such as modern galactic studies and dynamical parallaxes.

New to the Fourth Edition:

•          Numerous updates and reorganization of all chapters to encompass new methods

•          New results from recent work in areas such as satellite dynamics

•          New chapter on the Caledonian symmetrical n-body problem

Extending its coverage to meet a growing need for this subject in satellite and aerospace engineering, Orbital Motion, Fourth Edition remains a top reference for postgraduate and advanced undergraduate students, professionals such as engineers, and serious amateur astronomers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis; 4 edition (December 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750310154
• ISBN-13: 978-0750310154
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,276,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Well written, topical survey now too expensive, January 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Orbital Motion, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

The first (1978) edition of "Orbital Motion" was a revised extension of Dr. Roy's 1965 text "Fundamentals of Astrodynamics", and deserves continuing recognition as one of the better topical introductions to celestial mechanics and astrodynamics. Dr. Roy excels in his ability to elaborate on the practical consequences of celestial motion through his thoughtful and intuitive discussion of pertinent equations. His concise style is easy-to-read and provides for a gentle mix of topics that generally appeals to astronomers and physical scientists, yet also have relevance to engineers interested in problems of Newtonian gravitation.

Although this title draws deserved attention and respect, its longevity has also resulted in some rather dated recommended practices. The 2nd chapter, devoted to the complicated subjects of co-ordinate and time-keeping systems, is abbreviated and approaching obsolesce. Chapter 3 ("The Reduction of Observational Data") emphasizes optical measurement reduction perhaps as it was done three or four decades ago without a computer. And some of the recurring space surveillance systems mentioned, such as Baker-Nunn cameras, have been out of regular service for years...

Any owner of the 2nd edition who purchases the 3rd edition will find the two editions to be practically identical. There are about seven (7) additional pages largely resulting from two new sub-sections: Jacobian co-ordinates for the many-body problem, and three-body stability criterion. A few sentences have also been added to the introductory chapter to reflect c.1988 state-of-the-art, and some tables of constants have been necessarily updated as well. Because of the 3rd edition's extraordinarily high price relative to the 2nd edition (with little additional content), I am reluctantly compelled to subtract an additional star from its rating.

The inappropriate hardcover price and the publisher's lack of new, inexpensive paperback copies makes it difficult to fully recommend Dr. Roy's otherwise excellent treatise. Fortunately, interested readers may be well served by the less expensive, used copies of the earlier edition.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential book, October 17, 2001

By 

Michael Baxter (LONDON United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Orbital Motion, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

For anyone interested in the arcane discipline of astrodynamics, this book is essential reading. Obviously, it assumes a good knowledge of mathematics (vector analysis and calculus) but nothing exceptional. So clear and logical are the mathematical arguments that you will be fooled into thinking that the subject is easier than it is! The discussion of the Lagrangian points (places where a small particle can remain in a stable or semi-stable position relative to two more massive bodies) is exemplary. While not everyone will be able to read through and understand this book, anyone who can will learn a great deal.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic astronomy text, November 12, 2002

By 

"howard2391" (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Orbital Motion, 3rd Ed, (Hardcover)

Required reading for astronomy students. Only one problem with the new edition of the book: it is pricey. Try to obtain a used copy, or perhaps an earlier edition of the book.