Product Description
Arny: Explorations-An Introduction to Astronomy, 4th edition, is built on the foundation of its well known writing style, accuracy, and emphasis on current information. This new edition continues to offer the most complete technology/new media support package available. That technology/new media package includes: 23 Interactives including 17 NEW and 6 originals converted from Java to Flash(located on the text website and Digital Content Manager CD); Online Learning Center (that allows instructors to take their course to the web if they choose); and Starry Night Planetarium Software (packaged free with each new text). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

great price
much cheeper then new. and its was still new. don't ever buy from campus book stores again, amazon is the way to go

Necessary for a Class
This book was necessary for a class but I also found it interesting and I am learning a lot more that I did not know before.

Far from the best!
I am teaching an introductory astronomy course this semester, and chose to use this book because others before me had used it.In the end, I was very disappointed.The author devotes very few pages to several important topics, while devoting too much material to trivial information.The figures, while adequate, could be greatly improved.There is also not much math in this text, and on occasion I have found a few things that were downright wrong.Online support (for either students or instructors) was minimal.However, the copy of Starry Night Pro included with the text makes it almost worth the purchase price, and we ended up designing several labs around this excellent program.

Explorations
This book is very detailed and the CD-Rom has excellent pictures.The only downfall is that the mathmatical functions are not detailed enough for me.

up to date introduction
A very solid, and up to date discussion of modern astronomy. Well suited for undergraduate astronomy majors taking a first course. You get a coherent formulation of our best understanding of galaxy formation on a cosmological scale. And also how first and second generation stars appear and evolve. Then, within a stellar system, how planets can condense out of gas.

Naturally, our solar system is well described. From both observations made on Earth and by satellites (especially the Hubble), and by US and Russian probes.

The CD will appeal to some of you. Arny has put considerable effort into it. But the main text stands well, even if the CD is missing. ... Read more

Product Description

Packed with color photographs, this comprehensive reference chronicles the history of astronomy.

This extraordinary book traces humans' interaction with the endless wonders of the night sky. The authors, both expert astronomers, researched 29 locations worldwide, from Beijing's ancient observatory to the observatory in Puerto Rico that searches for alien radio signals. They also interviewed 26 of the world's most esteemed astronomers, including Stephen Hawking.

Comprehensive in scope, The History of Astronomy covers such topics as:

• Early navigators and astronomers, the Star of Bethlehem
• Early concepts of the Earth's shape and orbit
• Galileo and Copernicus
• The solar system and the movements of the planets
• Newton and Halley
• The discovery of Uranus and Neptune, plus the discovery and demotion of Pluto
• What stars are made of and why they shine
• Hubble, the cosmos, new galaxies, the Big Bang
• Pulsars, quasars and black holes
• Are we alone?

Through its engaging narrative and stunning full-color photography, The History of Astronomy tells the remarkable story of a discipline that continues to test the limits of imagination and exploration.

Customer Reviews (2)

Entertaining and Excellent Light Reading for All Age Groups
This book is large enough at 10" x 12" to be considered a `coffee table' book.The book features a nice mix of scientific explanation, biographical information, and excellent pictures.

The history starts with ancient astronomical structures and Polynesian navigators and continues in a progressive timeline to the 1976 Mars Viking landers and current SETI antennas.The latest Mars rovers and Phoenix lander are not covered.

I highly recommend the book for light bedtime reading.As the book isn't too technical, it is suitable for younger readers.At the same time, it provides intriguing enough information to encourage me to search the web for additional details regarding some of the astronomers and topics that are presented.

great book
Gave this as a gift this past Chrristmas and was very well recieved.I paged thru it both before and after I gave it and was very impressed with its history and pictures. ... Read more

Product Description
This focused, advanced undergraduate text provides broad coverage of astronomy and astrophysics with a strong emphasis on physics. Many researchers, faculty, and graduate students use this book as a reference. This text has an algebra and trigonometry prerequisite, but calculus is preferred.Features: * "Concept Applications" are fully worked-out, in-chapter problems that focus on an important concept found within that chapter. * "Key Equations and Concepts" neatly summarize the important equations and concepts found in each chapter.New to this edition: * Many new problems have been added, most 3rd Edition problems remain. * Physics Prelude serves as preview and preorganizer of the physics at a level appropriate to the book and the course. * Reorganization of Part 3--Chapters on stellar evolution are now consecutive. * Key new astronomical material further enhances the text. * "Hale-Bopp Comet Update" has been added after Chapter 26. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

There are better books to be had for an intro astronomy class
Obviously Physical Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy (Series of Books in Astronomy) is the standard by which all introductory astronomy books must be measured. This book is more expensive, less clear, has more typos and even glaring errors. But it's newer, and more "up to date." I'd explain to the students that we're going to use an old book and I'd fill in newer research as needed as we go along. It's not as if there are fundamental changes to how stars work, Galaxies form, or how telescopes work. (Especially not at an introductory level.)

Book review
It was very good, reliable and the product is what I expected to be. Thank you for the safe shipping, I wish the shipping was a little faster though.

Not a bad reference book for astrophysics students
This book is an ok reference book, if you've already seen the material in the book.The price is way too high.Whatever you do don't pay 180 bucks for this book. The preliminary section is weirdly way harder than the main text of the book. I had as my freshman astrophysics course text book and nearly dropped the course because the prelimary section was so scary. My biggest problem is the book uses MKS not CGS units. This would make the book more acessible to the reader with a physics (but no astronomy) background, but only does a disservice to the reader who wishes to use this book as a bridge to more advanced astronomical literature.

Intro to Astronomy
Nicely written textbook for the first year student in astronomy and astrophysics.Clearly written.

An excellent introductory book in astronomy/astrophysics
I used this book in an independent study class in astronomy and astrophysics while I was an undergraduate.With the exception of the some errors in the equations in the opacity section I found this book to be clearly written and not too difficult.You will need to know your college physics and some math but that should be expected since this is not a descriptive text.If you want a descriptive astronomy text search elsewhere, if you want an introductory astrophysics text this is a good choice. ... Read more

Product Description
Comprehensive, authoritative coverage of interferometric techniques for radio astronomy

In this Second Edition of Interferometry and Synthesis in Radio Astronomy, three leading figures in the development of large imaging arrays, including very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI), describe and explain the technology that provides images of the universe with an angular resolution as fine as 1/20,000 of an arcsecond.

This comprehensive volume begins with a historical review followed by detailed coverage of the theory of interferometry and synthesis imaging, analysis of interferometer response, geometrical relationships, polarimetry, antennas, and arrays. Discussion of the receiving system continues with analysis of the response to signals and noise, analog design requirements, and digital signal processing.

The authors detail special requirements of VLBI including atomic frequency standards, broadband recording systems, and antennas in orbit.Further major topics include:

• Calibration of data and synthesis of images
• Image enhancement using nonlinear algorithms
• Techniques for astrometry and geodesy
• Propagation in the neutral atmosphere and ionized media
• Radio interference
• Related techniques: intensity interferometry, moon occultations, antenna holography, and optical interferometry

Interferometry and Synthesis in Radio Astronomy, Second Edition is comprehensive in that it provides an excellent overview of most radio astronomical instrumentation and techniques. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

amazing engineering feats
You can think of this as a course in very specialised antenna design. Certainly, the broad concepts would be immediately recognisable to any engineer who has built antennas. But here the sources that are being detected are at far reaches indeed. Correspondingly, the sizes of each radio dish far exceeds your typical antenna in industrial or military use.

Of course, the book points out that radio telescopes further enhance their resolving power by positioning these dishes at precise distances from each other, and adjusting the phases of incoming signals accordingly. To someone new to radio astronomy, one of the impressive achievements is that an array of dishes can thus be combined into one large telescope, spanning several kilometers.

The book then shows how this is taken to a logical limit of VLBI. Where arrays at different locations across the globe might combine their signals, giving a telescope comparable to the size of the globe, for greater resolution. A tribute to how engineering helps drive advances in pure research. ... Read more

Product Description
The most sought-after "answer man" for astronomy takes us on an all-new excursion to the always exciting, frequently sobering, world of the deep cosmos in search of answers to popular questions.

How fast does gravity travel? When will the sun go nova? Who invented the light year? Will we ever travel to the stars? These are just some of the unusual and popular questions NASA astronomer Sten Odenwald answers in Back to the Astronomy Café, based on his award-winning website "for the astronomically disadvantaged."

Since his acclaimed earlier book The Astronomy Café published in 1998, the space community has been turned on its head with entirely new discoveries: ion propulsion, dark matter, gravity and magnetic reversals, the Cosmic Dark Ages, and over 100 new planets. In the all-new Back to the Astronomy Café, Odenwald answers the latest and most-asked questions relating to these recent discoveries. His highly personal and authoritative style makes understanding the cosmos less intimidating, exciting, and fun.

Since he opened his website "The Astronomy Café" in 1995, Odenwald has answered over 50,000 e-mailed questions. His individual answers have been downloaded over 7.5 million times, making him the most sought-after "answer man" for astronomy in human history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

astronomy cafe
i found the book very interesting, with comprehensive answers, which allows beginner and non beginners to have a detailed vision of what is happening in the universe.very well done. an index of all the questions would improuve it.

This science teacher's new best friend
Teaching astronomy is not easy when you know nothing.This book asks all the questions I have and my students have.It has fairly technical language for my 7th graders, but I can get the main ideas and relay them.
How old is the solar system? (I forget) Will the sun go super nova? (no)
There is an awesome time line which goes way back, and then tracks events predicted by science fiction authors. (fun!)
There is an excellent website too, but I had to buy the book because the web site wouldn't give all the answers - it said to buy the book!
I did and I am not sorry.

All kinds of astronomy questions answered.
Due to the fact that this book is written in a question and answer format, its easy to read a little at a time as your schedule allows. It covers a broad range of topics related to astronomy with very understandable answers. The author isn't afraid to admit that scientist often don't know the answers. This type of honesty isrefreshing in that you feel you are being leveled with as opposed to being given an answer that is intentionally over the layman's head to avoid admitting ignorance. On the other hand, sometimes the author presents theories as if they are established facts. I think that a lot of scientist do this (perhaps unintentionally) because they are putting forth the explanation that is dogma in the scientific community and forget to remind the reader that other possibilities may exist. Overall, this is a great book and is certainly worth your time. ... Read more

Product Description

Discover the wonders of the night sky with this bestselling astronomy guide

For a generation, Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide has introduced hundreds of thousands of readers worldwide to the night sky. Now this classic beginner's guide has been completely revised to bring it up to date with the latest discoveries and graphics.

• Features over 80 new photos and illustrations, including a full-color insert
• Reviews the newest telescopes and spacecraft
• Includes an overview of the best astronomy Web sites
• Written by award-winning author Dinah Moch?

Packed with valuable tables, charts, and star and moon maps, this user-friendly guide makes it easy for you to quickly grasp the basic principles of astronomy and start observing the night sky. The book includes objectives, reviews, and self-tests, and can be used on its own as a self-teaching guide or as a supplement to astronomy course materials. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Astronomy:A Self-Teaching Guide, 7th EditionbyDinah L. Moche
A very good book for little more than a beginner.Would have been nice to have colored pictures, but then the cost would have been higher.However, the diagrams and black and white photos were good enough to relate to the information.The book met the requirements for the purpose of what it was meant for.I would rate it as a 4 1/2.

Not Bad
This allows the reader to know a bit more about Astronomy by having questions after each chapter, which is nice.

Astronomy:A selfteaching guide
THis is a great book, easy to read and follow.Ilistrations are helpful and easy to follow.
I am glad I purchased this book and would recommend it to others.

Excellent resource for parents
I'm a mother who doesn't know much about astronomy but now I've found a resource to use when my kids ask me questions about the stars and planets.This is an easy-to-read guide for parents who are not experts.

Excellent and Easy to Use
Even with the high level of material in this book, as a high school student, I was fully able to understand everything!The information is excellent and is extremely easy to use.There is no better astronomy self teaching guide than Dr. Moche's.Her simplicity in the complex concepts is brilliant.

Thanks for a great guide!

-Lucy Schwartz ... Read more

Product Description

Special and General Relativity are concisely developed together with essential aspects of nuclear and particle physics. Problem sets are provided for many chapters, making the book ideal for a course on the physics of white dwarf and neutron star interiors. Norman K. Glendenning is Senior Scientist Emeritus at the Nuclear Science Division, Institute for Nuclear and Particle Astrophysics, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley. He is the author of numerous books.

Product Description

Viewing the Constellations with Binoculars is a complete guide to practical astronomy, written for beginners, intermediate-level astronomers, and even people who have not yet turned their gaze to the night sky. The required observing equipment to get the full value from this book is no more than a pair of regular 10 x 50 binoculars, but even more can be seen with a small astronomical telescope.

This comprehensive introduction to astronomy and practical observing is far more than a guide to what can be seen in the night sky through binoculars. It introduces the reader to some basic (and some not-so-basic) astronomical concepts, and discusses the stars and their evolution, the planets, nebulae, and distant galaxies. There is a guide to selecting and using binoculars for astronomy, as well, as a ‘getting ready to observe’ section containing invaluable practical hints and tips.

The second part of the book is an extraordinarily complete atlas and guide to the night sky down to 30º N (covering all the USA and Europe). It is illustrated with superb and sometimes beautiful amateur astronomical photographs, detailed maps (down to 5th magnitude), descriptions, and data on all astronomical objects of interest.

Product Description
With this newly revised 6th edition of ASTRONOMY: THE SOLAR SYSTEM AND BEYOND, Mike Seeds and Dana Backman's goal is to help students use astronomy to understand science and use science to understand what we are. Fascinating and engaging, this text illustrates the scientific method and guides students to these fundamental questions: "What are we?" and "How do we know?" In discussing the interplay between evidence and hypothesis, The authors provide not just facts, but a conceptual framework for understanding the logic of science. The book vividly conveys their love of astronomy, and illustrates how students can comprehend their place in the universe by grasping a small set of physical laws. Crafting a story about astronomy, The authors show students how to ask questions to gradually puzzle out the beautiful secrets of the physical world. With the use of mathematics set off in boxes, the book's presentation is flexible and allows instructors to teach to differing student levels. This is the only Seeds/Backman text to be written using a traditional planets-first approach. The revision addresses new developments in astrophysics and cosmology, plus the latest discoveries, from Mars' buried water to proto-galaxies at the limits of the observable universe. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Visual Intro to Astro! Cool!
Our local community college has adopted this book for the Fall 2009-Spring 2010 academic year. I must say that I am highly impressed with this book's fresh, engaging layout, easy to read fonts, and other features. It's better--light years better-- for the student than the previous text: The Cosmos: Astronomy in the New Millennium (with AceAstronomy(tm), Virtual Astronomy Labs Printed Access Card) (Paperback)

Astronomy: The Solar System and Beyond, 6E book offers an array of beautiful images and illustrations that really give the student lasting impressions of astronomy concepts, inspiring wonder, sparking curiosity. This text will be most appreciated by those who are visual learners and those who struggle reading science texts for comprehension. I wish I had had this text when I was taking my beginning astronomy courses! // Use Amazon's "Look Inside" feature to view the book's table of contents!

I love the Flash Reference insert that describes the H-R Diagram, comparative planetology, and motion. I especially enjoy the inner sheets that depict "The Universe Bowl," a helpful image which describes the history of the universe in terms of a football field game. This image allows the student to visualize the formation of the universe from the Big Bang Theory to present. The image takes a difficult concept and makes it approachable to the non-scientist. The Sky Around You, The Cycle of the Seasons, The Phases of the Moon, The Ancient Universe, Atomic Spectra, Three Kinds of Nebulae, Terrestrial and Jovian Planets pages are the best graphics (and explanations)I've ever seen in a beginning astronomy text. Appendix B Observing the Sky introduces naked eye observation and the use of star charts.

Detailed Study & Review sections help the learner to practice chapter topics and to explore problems related to the material. How Do We Know Sections? offer great added commentary and points to ponder on chapter material and related topics with an emphasis on scientific methods. The Celestial Profiles are a fun feature that introduce objects in the solar system, and they are most helpful for comparative planetology. Chapter 4 The Origin of Modern Astronomy offers a lovely summary of astronomical efforts through the ages.

Instructors: this book is worth examining for your introductory course, especially if you want a stimulating text that carries the learner...well...into space! :D // This would also be a fun book for those who are backyard astronomers! Makes a great reference! ... Read more

Product Description
A basic field guide for beginning observers of the night sky, introducing information on the locations, names, and characteristics of stars, constellations, and other bodies in outer space. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

All you need to enjoy the night sky
I bought this book to start off with exploring the night sky and thought I would graduate to something more elaborate later.. Few months down, I am still with this book. It's a neat, compact guide (I carry it in my purse) that will help a beginner but also has enough for someone a little more advanced.

Not a shining star
Recognizing this is a $6 "First Guide," overall, it pretty much provides what one would expect: a decent dry survey of constellations, planets, and other astronomical features with some truncated star maps. And it's in a slim handy-to-pocket volume. However, two aspects make this guide subpar, even for the price.First, in a few places they did a poor job of updating the 1988 edition to this 2006 version.For instance, we are told to expect another exciting Leonid meteor shower in 1998 or 1999 (page 62).Second, they should make it clear - on the cover - this guide is geared to the northern latitudes. This little fact is buried in the third paragraph of the introduction.

Handy and accurate
I find this book most useful for the 12 star maps found at the very begining. It gives basic information about astronomy in a comprehensible manner. The book is handy enough to keep with you and with a small penlight you can reference the maps while observing the night sky, easily fits in a jacket or pans back pocket. Additionally I found the mythology behind the traditional western culture naming of the constellations interesting.

Only criticisms include 1) as previously mentioned, no star charts for the Southern Hemisphere and 2) wasted pages printing illustrations of the characters the constellations represent. These pages could have been used to add Southern Hemisphere maps or to discuss more then the listed 13 constellations.

Not for the Southern Hemisphere.
Quite a well thought out book to take around with you.
BUT... limited use to me as there are no Southern Hemisphere maps or details (even the Southern Cross is absent).
Would not have purchased it had I realised. At least it was cheap!

Compact;concise.
Great little book for the beginner.Portable,so you can take it with you on your nighttime prowling of the universe.Written in a manner that newbies such as myself can understand.A good companion to all my other amateur astronomy books.Inexpensive,as well.Not as comprehensive as those other books,but this is a field guide,and it serves its purpose well. ... Read more

Product Description

Astrophysics is a subject that is often - with some justification - regarded as extremely difficult, requiring at least degree-level mathematics as a prerequisite to its understanding. Consequently, many amateur astronomers just don't bother, and miss out on the fascinating fundamentals of the subject, and often on an understanding of exactly what they are observing.

Mike Inglis' quantitative approach to astrophysics cuts through all the incomprehensible mathematics, and explains all aspects of astrophysics in simple terms.

A unique feature of this book is the way that example objects for practical observation are given at every stage, so that practical astronomers can go and look at the objected or objects under discussion, using only commercial amateur equipment.

Customer Reviews (8)

Good but marred by many errors
The book promises to present a treatment of astrophysics which can be understood at a reasonably deep level while keeping the mathematics in the background. To a large extent, the author succeeds in doing this. The main text has almost no mathematics, while for those who wish to go a little deeper into the subject matter, there are boxed paragraphs which explain the topic in more detail.All in all, this is a good book to read, but unfortunately there are many typographical mistakes, which can in some cases confuse the reader. For instance, in box 1.3 on p8, the word "distance" in the first line of the third paragraph from the end should read "luminosity". In Table 1.2 on p9, the very last entry in the right hand column should be 100,000,000 and not 10,000,000.On p19, the statement that temperature is proportional to temperature is incorrect.It is, as the author states a few lines above, proportional to the fourth power of temperature, which is not the same thing.Clearly the author is trying to simplify matters for the non-mathematical reader, but this is not license to make incorrect statements.Many of the coordinates given for various objects are incorrect.An observer using a goto telescope and the author's coordinates to point to the famous double-double in Lyra would end up with the telescope pointing deep into the southern hemisphere.Same comment about 61 Cygni, NGC 891 etc, etc.
If the author is contemplating a second edition, it should be thoroughly proof-read before publication. I would also suggest that footnotes, rather than end of chapter notes would be less disruptive when reading the book.

It is a pity that a book of such promise looks to have been produced in a rush.I still have no hesitation in recommending it, but the reader should not necessarily accept everything in it as correct.

Simple, brief and enjoyable.
The Universe is full of Wonders which many of us may never be aware of, comprehend or fully appreciate. For many, the scientific methods and tools used to learn and understand the Universe seem to be out of the grasp. Unfortunately, even dedicated Amateur Astronomers are susceptible to this myth as many may believe that these scientific discoveries and methods belong to a special kind of people in science institutes and collages. This book comes to prove that it's possible to learn how to unravel and understand some of the universe's hidden treasures and mysteries without literally go out on a limb.
You start by understanding the Measurements of Star Magnitudes, Luminosity, and Temperature and even get a grasp on the most important tool used by Astronomers the popular tool HR Diagram. Know how to classify stars and understand their formation and demise. Learn how to appreciate the beauty of Clusters, Nebulas and the power of Supernova's and Black holes. I have to admit, there is a bit of math in there, you can easily follow its logic and apply it to real life examples and get the results that previously looked like Gobbledygook belonging to the realm of Mad Scientists. Its not easy reading, you do need to read it carefully, and reread it again and again to gain the level of understanding required to appreciate its contents. There are many books out there on Astronomy, some are quiet rich in content and literally quiet heavy, but this one is simple, brief and enjoyable.

Astrophysics IS easy!
I used to love day-dreaming about space when I was a kid. This book makes me feel that sense of wonder and amazement again - and I can understand most of it! I spent a day at the planetarium in New York, and I felt like I could deliver my own lecture to the audience. And the best thing is - I bought this for my son, and we share our interest in and awe for the universe.

Intended to help the amateur astronomer take a step into the physics of astronomy
This is a great little book. Whenever I give a talk on my astrophysics research (in high energy cosmic rays and neutrinos) to the amateur astronomers, I mention this book as a good step for expanding their knowledge of the science underlying their hobby. Professional and amateur astronomy are a long distance apart, though many scientists got interested in science first from looking at the skies. This book helps bridge the gap somewhat.

Got your telescope?Your binoculars?Your two eyes?Well, point them UP
Astrophysics (or at least a general introduction to it) really IS easy with this friendly book geared toward amateur astronomers.An introduction to the heavens, cobbled together with science and telescope viewing tips, doesn't sound much like a romantic outing but believe me, halfway through the book you'll begin lusting for a telescope.The author's enthusiasm is infectious. The text proceeds incrementally, and basic concepts are repeated often, so you'll be dropping terms like "Cepheid variable", "Roche lobe" and "type II supernova" at the breakfast table before you know it.

A word, though, about the Kindle addition.ANY text like this comes with pictures, diagrams, etc---and the Kindle (at least the small one) just isn't the right medium for them.I found myself frustrated often as I pressed sys, wormed the cursor over pictures, then sat very still trying to enlarge.It's not the Kindle's fault--I knew it'd be a problem, and now I don't have this great book on paper.Next time I'll remember to confine my Kindle purchaces strictly to novels. ... Read more

Product Description
This guide provides comprehensive practical information for both beginning and advanced amateur astronomers on how to make scientifically significant observations.The book explains in detail how to observe every conceivable astronomical object--from meteors to distant galaxies.It presents a wide variety of methods ranging from the simplest visual observations, such as making pencil drawings of the surface of the Moon, to the use of highly sophisticated equipment, such as CCD cameras and photoelectric photometers.It also explains how to record and catalog observations using recognized professional terminology and classification schemes. The volume's emphasis throughout is on giving amateur astronomers sound information to use at the telescope. The most effective and efficient techniques are presented so that observers can apply those that are most suitable to their own equipment and degree of experience.This comprehensive survey of practical methods of observation will develop the observational skills of the avid novice and will also satisfy the more demanding needs of the experienced amateur astronomer. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent book on making scientific observations
This two-volume work (vol 1 on the solar system, vol 2 on everything else) is indispensible in learning how to make scientifically useful observations with modest or expensive equipment. Comprised of separate articles onspecific subjects, like "Spectroscopy", "Double Stars","Jupiter", or "Photometry", each section delves deeplyinto how to make accessories or observations that are of scientific value. It is incredibly detailed.My only detraction is that the text istranslated from the French and once in a while the text can be confusing(especially the description of the "V" micrometer in the doublestar section which, in my opinion, is nearly unintelligible). ... Read more

Product Description

A History of Arabic Astronomy is a comprehensive survey of Arabic planetary theories from the eleventh century to the fifteenth century based on recent manuscript discoveries. George Saliba argues that the medieval period, often called a period of decline in Islamic intellectual history, was scientifically speaking, a very productive period in which astronomical theories of the highest order were produced.

Product Description
This is an introductory textbook on spherical and positional astronomy. It is entirely suitable for use by students with no prior knowledge of classical astronomy. At the same time, it is sufficiently comprehensive to make it a useful background reference book for anyone engaged in practical astronomy. The first three chapters sketch essential background: mathematical techniques and coordinate systems. Successive chapters then give treatments of refraction, aberration, stellar parallex, precession, nutation and proper motion. An entire chapter is devoted to astrographic plate measurements. The gravitational two-body problem is solved and applied to solar system dynamics. Novel areas include a full treatment of binary star orbits and two chapters on developments in radio astronomy. Worked examples and problems to be solved by the reader ensure that this is a valuable textbook. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The best book on the subject
I am only aware of a few books on the subject of spherical astronomy (which might be summarized as the science of pointing a telescope at an astronomical target).There is the voluminous and technicalExplanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac published by the US Naval Observatory in cooperation with the British Royal Observatory, the dated Textbook on Spherical Astronomy by W. M. Smart first published in 1931, and this book.The first book is not a good introduction to the subject, although it would be considered the authoritative reference by practitioners.The second book is getting quite long in the tooth, although it has gone through at least six editions including one revision by the author of the current book.Then there is this book, which covers the subject using thoroughly modern notation and covers both general and special relativity as they affect the pointing of telescopes, which are missing from W. M. Smart's book.Furthermore, I find the author does very well at explaining the subject at the level of an advanced undergraduate (with the exception of the coverage of general relativity, which requires more background in physics).

So if you are interested in learning how to point a telescope, or you want to understand the derivations of the formulas in the "Explanatory Supplement", this is the book for you.

Spherical Astronomy
Spherical Astronomy by Robin Michael Gree ... Read more

Product Description
Galactic and Extragalactic Radio Astronomy is a fundamental text for graduate students and professional astronomers and covers all aspects of radio astronomy beyond the solar system. Each chapter is written by a renowned expert in the field and contains a review of a particular area of radio astronomy and presents the latest observations and interpretations as well as an extensive view of the literature (as of 1988). Topics covered include: galactic continuum emission, HII regions, the diffuse interstellar medium, interstellar molecules, astronomical masers, neutral hydrogen, the galactic center, radio stars, supernova remnants, pulsars, extragalactic hydrogen, radio galaxies and quasars, the microwave background, and cosmological radio sources. ... Read more

Product Description
From Hipparchus and Ptolemy in the ancient world, through Copernicus and Brahe in the sixteenth century, astronomers had used geometrical models to give a kinematic account of the movements of the sun, moon, and planets. Johannes Kepler revolutionized this most ancient of sciences by being the first to understand astronomy as a part of physics. By closely and clearly analyzing the texts of Kepler's great astronomical works, in particular the Astronomia nova of 1609, Bruce Stephenson demonstrates the importance of Kepler's physical principles--principles now known to be "incorrect"--in the creation of his first two laws of planetary motion. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Aesthetical-physical astronomy
First we look briefly at Kepler's Mysterium Cosmographicum (1596). Here "[Kepler's] exuberance was not yet balanced by the self-criticism which distinguished his mature writings. His technical command of mathematics and astronomy was still insecure." (p. 8, Springer ed.). As an illustration we may consider his formula for relating the distances to the sun and orbital periods of two planets, R_1/R_2=((T_1+T_2)/2)/T_2 (p. 13). "Considered as a physical deduction [this result] is most peculiar ... it totally lacks the character of a general law. One can compute the radius of Venus's orbit compared to Mercury's from their periodic times, and likewise the radius of the earth's orbit compared to that of Venus; but computing the radius of the earth's orbit directly from that of Mercury would not give the same answer." (p. 14)

Kepler's Astronomia Nova (1609), on the other hand, is a first rate work. Here "Kepler reintroduced physical argument to astronomy, and thereby shifted the overall emphasis of his book from the mathematical representation of observations to the determination of how and why the planets, huge, physical bodies, moved through the heavens." (p. 22). "In this task he was almost entirely on his own. Contemporary physics was not going to offer any help, and he was essentially left free to speculate about the kinds of things which were required to impose order on the motion of planets travelling 'in pure aether, just as birds in the air'." (p. 27). "Kepler ... used some admittedly vague speculations, concerning the difficulty of controlling a planet's motion with information available at the planet itself, to suggest that at least part of this task took place elsewhere: presumably, therefore, at the central body." (p. 28). "Copernicus ... had rejected the equant hypothesis because of its physical absurdity (p. 28), but Kepler reintroduced it "as a convenient and transparent way of representing what was for him the critical phenomenon: that the planet moved swiftly when near the sun and slowly when distant from it" (p. 29). "The Copernican model, besides concealing the variation in speed behind a combination of uniform motions, would have required an intolerable amount of 'mental' activity to control the motion. The Ptolemaic equant, on the other hand, by openly displaying this variation, encouraged Kepler's attempt to locate an impelling and guiding force in the sun. If only some way could be found to explain the planet's approach to and withdrawal from the sun, the variation of speed would be easily understandable as a consequence of the weakening of some solar force with distance from its source. Variations in the planet's speed, which in earlier astronomy had been a blemish to be ignored or concealed, singled out the sun now as the heavenly body which had to be somehow involved in moving the planet." (p. 29).

With this in mind, "Kepler ... finally set out to construct a planetary model ... an equant model, 'in imitation of the ancients' as he said, but without Ptolemy's restriction that the eccentricity be precisely bisected" (p. 42). He model was very successful. "Had he stopped there ... Kepler would already have contributed much to the refinement of Copernican astronomy. Instead he immediately demonstrated ... that his own theory remained inadequate. Tu be sure, it performed the function of a theory of longitude. ... What it did not give was the right location for the planet itself." (p. 44-45). Trying to solve this problem in the case of "the distances between Mars and the sun led Kepler back to the hypothesis of bisected eccentricity", which was "no accident" we can see retrospectively because "The area law ... can be well represented by equant motion around the empty focus of the ellipse. Thus the center of the ellipse bisects the eccentricity of its pseudo-equant point at the empty focus" (pp. 45-46). This not being available to Kepler yet, he attempted to show "how a physical hypothesis, simple and plausible, accounted for the success of the Ptolemaic equant hypothesis. His physical explanation was ... that the planet moved slower when it was more distant to the sun, in proportion to the distance. In [Mysterium Cosmographicum] he had sketched out an argument that the Ptolemaic hypothesis described a motion of just this kind. Here he expanded his reasoning into a geometrical demonstration." (p. 62). "The 'distance law' holds exactly---at the apsides---for equant motion with bisected eccentricity, and, incidentally for Kepler motion on an ellipse. Kepler himself stated only that it was true quam proxime, and probably did not know, when writing the Astronomia Nova, of its exact validity. Outside the apsides the theorem is not exact. Kepler remarked this fact ... claiming it to be of little consequence." (p. 66).

However, while the distance law in isolation shows that Ptolemy got lucky with his equant, Kepler's physical perspective taken further rules out eccentric circles altogether. "[Kepler] was analyzing motion on a eccentric circle, a model that had been in general use for nearly two millennia, apparently the simplest possible model with any empirical accuracy. He took apart this beautifully simple model and showed that as a physical process ... it was really quite complicated, so complicated as to raise doubt about whether it could be real. He had performed so radical a reassessment by interpreting astronomy, for the first time, as a physical science. ... [H]e found novel and effective criteria for evaluating theories. No longer did it suffice that a theory was mathematically plausible. ... [R]eal bodies were moved by physical forces ... The convenience of the astronomer yielded to the constraint of objectivity" (p. 78).

So why did eccentric circles work so well? There must be a simple physical principle that explains their success. Ta-da: Kepler's law of equal areas. Armed with this new law Kepler tackled Mars, "most obstinate of the ancient planets, which would test the powers of his physical astronomy" (p. 87), where his law forced him to conclude that "the orbit of Mars was not a circle; it was an oval" (p. 90), or, more precisely, an ellipse, as Kepler would discover "accidentally" (p. 107) only after much "exceedingly tedious work" (p. 100) and "garbled physics" (p. 101). "Unsure of the exact geometry of the Martian orbit", "he temporarily had to assume the oval to be an ellipse ... in order to apply the area law ... When locating the planet ... he found it to lie precisely on the auxiliary ellipse he had been using" (p. 129). To explain this type of motion physically, Kepler likened the sun's motive force to "a circular river carrying a boat around its course. A steering oar, ... as Kepler said, '... turns around once in twice in the periodic time of the planet'" (p. 110), generating the oval orbit.

One remarkable application of Kepler's physical theory, which he put forth in the Epitome Astronomiae Copernicanae (1618-1621), is that it predicts the densities of the planets. "[A] plamet resisted motion because of the inertia of its matter ... Moreover, a planet that was physically larger experienced the effect of the solar virtue through its whole volume", so "since the general factors, length of path and strength of force, would together increase the period as the square of distance from the sun, while the actual periods only grew as 3/2 power of distance, it was clear that the planetary densities must decrease as the square root of distance, to explain the observed relation" (p. 143). "This alerts us to a distinction which cannot be overemphasised. For Kepler, his 'third law' was no law at all, at least not so far as concerned natural science ... it was an empirical fact", which had an interesting application to planetary densities, and which "was clearly of archetypal importance, and could not have been unintended by the Creator" (p. 144).

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Although it covers the topic well, unlike other entries in the Quick Review series, it does NOT have start of chapter goals ('Chapter Check-In'), end of chapter questions ('Chapter Checkout'), end of book review test ('CQR Review'), a glossary, and worst of all considering the length of the book, an index. ... Read more