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Astronomy Today (5th Edition) (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Steve McMillan (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)


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16 new from $27.35 117 used from $6.54

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  Hardcover, July 18, 2007 $104.79 $86.99 $50.00
  Hardcover, July 26, 2005 -- $27.35 $6.54
  Paperback, June 30, 2004 $30.00 $30.00 --
There is a newer edition of this item:
Astronomy Today (6th Edition) Astronomy Today (6th Edition) 4.0 out of 5 stars (15)
$104.79
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Editorial Reviews

Review

*The"Process of Science" is integrated into the text narrative. In particular the focus on scientific discovery and scientific method, or "how we know what we know", is now a much more integral part of the text (e.g. p. 6-8, 121-22, 160-65, 596-97, 611-12).*Part-opening essays emphasize the human endeavor aspect of science. Each part opener introduces a discovery and provides a historical context to the chapters that follow (e.g. p. 1, 140, 402, 600). "What role does your textbook play in your course?"*Student perspective--For this revision, the text's development editor read the text from a student perspective, helping the authors identify places they could clarify or simplify an explanation, better define a term, and discuss the process used in making a discovery. The result is a text that is truly accessible and useful resource for all students. *Expanded Glossary--200+ terms added, including definitions of words students may not know, but are not necessarily "scientific" terms (e.g. "flyby" now defined within chapter 6 Mariner 10 discussion on p. 152). "How can you involve your students in class and make large lectures more interactive?"*Lecture Tutorials -- Developed by Jeffrey Adams, Edward Prather, Timothy Slater and the Conceptual Astronomy and Physics Education Research (CAPER) team, class-tested lecture tutorials challenge students with thought-provoking questions that spark classroom discussion. Designed for large classes (300+) and scaleable for smaller sections. *Classroom Response Systems enhances the interactivity of a lecture course by asking students questions and providing instant feedback on key concepts from the chapter. "Do you have an observation component in your course?"*Starry Night Pro 4.0.5 provides everything the amateur astronomer or hobbyist needs to explore the heavens. Content Changes: *Thoroughly updated Chapter 5-- Reflects recent discoveries and innovations, such as Telescope Design in Section 5.1 *Introduction to solar system formation added to Chapter 6--Sets the stage for the planetary chapters (p. 144-45). *Reorganized Chapter 22--Expands the historical development of Special and General Relativity. *More contemporary coverage in Chapters 24 and 25--Reorganizes material to emphasize the connection between normal and active galaxies, and expands the discussion of black holes in galactic nuclei. *Updates include new discoveries and data, including: *New material in Chapter 7 on the Ozone Hole and Global Warming. *Expanded coverage in Chapters 6 and 10 of the most recent missions to Mars. *Updates in Chapter 10 on Martian oppositions, gullies, oceans, and ice. *Final update on the Galileo/GEM mission in Chapter 11. *Updated discussion of solar system formation in Chapter 15; expanded coverage of competing theories, planet migration, planetesimal ejection, plutinos, and the angular momentum problem. *Latest results in Chapter 23 on Sgr A* and the Galaxy's central black hole. This chapter also includes a new discussion of the Shapley-Curtis debate giving historical context to the "Measuring the Milky Way" section. *Extensive revision of Chapters 26 and 27 to include the most recent observations of cosmic acceleration and discussion of "dark energy" *Revised discussions of the cosmological constant and the age of the universe; results from the CBI and WMAP experiments suggesting a flat universe. *Updated coverage of Europa, Mars, interstellar organic molecules, extra solar planets, and SETI in Chapter 28.


Product Description

For one- or two-semester introductory courses in astronomy. Chaisson/McMillan is a trusted text that offers the most complete and innovative learning package available for introductory astronomy. The goal of the Fifth Edition is to focus on the process of discovery and to better convey how science is done. Particular attention was given to clearly and concisely presenting scientific terms to the non-science student. Volume 1 includes Chapters 1-16, plus chapter 28. Volume 2 includes Chapters 1-5 plus 16-28.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 848 pages
  • Publisher: Benjamin Cummings; 5 edition (July 26, 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0131445960
  • ISBN-13: 978-0131445963
  • Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.7 x 1.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8.2 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #265,636 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
5 star:
 (10)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A joy to read!, February 17, 2005
By Peter (Netherlands) - See all my reviews
This book is really outstanding! It contains 757 pages of text (not counting the preface and appendix), about 480 (mostly quite smallish) photos, some 400 drawings/figures/illustrations and almost 50 tables. The writing style is very clear, not at all dry or overtly technical. It is a joy to read this book. I know of no other book that clarifies all kind of astronomical subjects as thoroughly and understandably as this book (and I did read many books on astronomy.....). Highly recommended!
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30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars What astronomy lovers should know other than telescopes ..., May 26, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Astronomy Today (Hardcover)
Written for non-science college students, this book is highly recommended for anyone interested in astronomy. Its breath, clarity, superb illustrations and software are first rate. Prentice Hall appears to hvae repurposed this text for amateur astronomers in another book, Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe, which is nearly identical, albeit abbreviated in areas. Both books are an excellent value and users need to decide whether the academic version is worth more. Having read "Astronomy Today" cover to cover, there is much than can be shortened, such as when the authors discuss difficulties encountered in obtaining astronomy knowledge, rather than the knowledge itself. Its generous illustrations reinforce much of the text, taking this philosophy further, it could have been that much of the text could take a back seat to more detailed illustrations. Nevertheless a marvelous job!

Marvin Gozum, MD

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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars For the Non-Science Major, March 7, 2007
This book is designed to be the astronomy book that non-science majors would use to meet their one-year of science requirement as part of their undergraduate degree. As such it is written without the mathematics content that would be normal in a course aimed at astronoly or physics students. In addition, this particular book has several advantages. To identify just a few:

1. Throughout the book there is an emphasis on teaching the scientific method. This area has been strengthened in this edition because (I'm guessing) the current attempts by the un-intelligent design people to disparage scientific theories.

2. Revised to include the latest discoveries being made by the Mars rovers and the down grading of poor Pluto to a minor planet.

3. Updating the current theories regarding dark matter and dark energy.

In summary this is a well written, well illustrated text, ideally suited for the non-scientists.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed
This was my first time purchasing something from Amazon and i tell you it will be the last. The book took two weeks to come and i paid 7 dollars for shipping. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kareen Wayvines

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent, technical introduction
Chaisson and McMillan here present perhaps the most rigorous of the introductory astronomy textbooks. Read more
Published 4 months ago by spumn

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
I think this is a wonderful book. It is very easy to read and has a lot of great information. The visuals are awesome. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Rebecca Malloy

5.0 out of 5 stars Great
The book was in great condition and it was delivered very quickly. I was very impressed.
Published 5 months ago by Monica J. Perkins

3.0 out of 5 stars How Complete?
I bought the Astronomy Today:Stars and Galaxies, 4th edition paperback several years ago. Amazon lists the HARDBOUND 6th edition as having 848 pages, while the 6th edition two... Read more
Published 22 months ago

1.0 out of 5 stars Extremely bad textbook...
The authors of this book say it is for the laymen. Bull. This book is not only exceptionally difficult to comprehend with all the manifold "big terms and measurements" they throw... Read more
Published on November 25, 2007 by Harold Olcese

1.0 out of 5 stars New Book that was NOT a new Book
Simply put - I purchased this Astronomy book through Amazon because the price was the same as elsewhere but I would save on shipping. Read more
Published on June 7, 2007 by A. Dudinsky

5.0 out of 5 stars Astronomy Today 5th edition
I have had a lifetime love of Astronomy but have lacked the mathmatical background for a thorough understanding. Read more
Published on March 10, 2006 by Jack D. Turken MD

4.0 out of 5 stars A Paradox of Blind Astronomers!
This is an excellent textbook, but I deducted one star (from a possible five-star rating) because of the absurd comments made by the authors in the beginning of the book. Read more
Published on June 22, 2005 by Bob Shepherd

5.0 out of 5 stars nice book
It is a nice book of astronomy. New datas and complete explanations make it worth reading!
Published on April 18, 2002 by ligeng

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