Author Description

Pasachoff's informal, lucid style and a beautiful color presentation are combined in this updated version of his short paperback text. Featuring an earth-outward organization, all the latest astronomical events are covered, including the latest information on Venus, Magellan and the Hubble Space telescope. Features: * 1994 Version provides general updating of significant findings and events that have occurred since 1991. * 20-chapter length provides complete but concise coverage of all astronomical topics. * Early discussion of the scientific method stresses its importance in the verification of observations. * Up-to-date coverage of all important findings and theories, including Voyager flybys of Uranus and Neptune, Magellan Venus radar orbiter, the important COBE satellite results, and the growing number of significant findings from the Hubble Space Telescope. * Separate chapters on terrestrial planets, jovian planets, and smaller moons and planets provide a comparative planetology approach to the solar system. * Focus Essays periodically introduce a fundamental astronomical concept such as time, distance, mass, power and space. * Personal interviews with prominent astronomers (Jeffrey Hoffman, Carolyn Porco, Ben Peery, William Fowler, and Sandra Faber) provide insight into what motivates their work, how they developed their interest in astronomy, and why astronomy is a valuable human endeavour. * New vocabulary is italicized in the text, listed in the key words at the end of each chapter, and defined in the glossary. * End-of-chapter summaries and questions help sharpen student understanding.