Author Description

In writing this textbook the author's objective was to provide students with a non-trivial, reasonably priced introduction to astronomy. Starting with problems astronomers face on Earth connected with observation, the book then moves on to cover the Solar System, galaxies and finally cosmology, one of the most exciting and fastest developing areas of astronomy. Up-to-date and carefully structured Introductory Astronomy has a strong narrative thread running through it; concepts are gradually introduced and subsequently built upon in later chapters. The science behind the subject is integrated and presented in a way that allows readers to gain a thorough understanding of the subject without being blinded by unnecessary mathematical detail or scientific theory. Throughout the book there are plenty of worked examples, problems, figures and photographs. FEATURES A balanced coverage of the field of astronomy. Many carefully chosen worked examples and problems. Clear exposition of the science behind astronomy. CONTENTS: Introduction; Light; Seeing into Space; The View From Earth; The Sun, the Stars and Time; Observation of the Solar System; Gravity and the Solar System; The Origin of the Solar System; A Closer Look at the Terrestrial Planets; A Closer Look at the Jovian Planets; The Sun; Studying Stars; Stellar Birth and Early Life; Stellar Evolution and Death; Galaxies; Cosmology; Appendices: Measurement and units; Atoms, ions and molecules; Ellipses; Historical milestones in astronomy; Compendium of astronomical data; Some fundamental physical constants; Multiple choice quiz; Short answers to selected questions; Index.