Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe (3rd Edition) - Softcover

Chaisson, Eric J.; McMillan, Steve; Chaisson, Eric

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0130873071 ISBN 13: 9780130873071

Publisher: Prentice Hall, 2000

Synopsis

This introductory textbook by Chaisson (Tufts U.) and McMillan (Drexel U.) has some of the best explanations of light and matter I've seen in a textbook for non-science majors particularly good are the sections on spectral analysis. The third edition incorporates new information about recent discoveries: e.g., the reported detection of neutrino oscillations and its relevance to the solar neutrino problem; new H-R diagram based on Hipparcos data on nearby stars; and discussion of recent spacecraft missions to Mars and the NEAR mission to asteroid Eros. Chapters follow the earth-out approach: from the Earth and its moon to galaxies and cosmology. The CD-ROM includes an electronic version of the text and 56 videos with voiceovers. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

About this title

About the Author

ERIC CHAISSON holds a doctorate in Astrophysics from Harvard University, where he spent ten years on the faculty of Arts and Sciences. For five years, Eric was a Senior Scientist and Director of Educational Programs at the Space Telescope Science Institute and Adjunct Professor of Physics at Johns Hopkins University. He joined Tufts University, where he is now Professor Physics, Professor of Education, and Director of the Wright Center for Innovative Science Education. He has written nine books on astronomy, which have received such literary awards as the Phi Beta Kappa Prize, two American Institute of Physics Awards, and Harvard's Smith Prize for Literary Merit. He has published more than 100 scientific papers in professional journals, and has also received Harvard's Bok Prize for original contributions to astrophysics.

STEVE MCMILLAN holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Mathematics from Cambridge University and a doctorate in Astronomy from Harvard University. He held post-doctoral positions at the University of Illinois and Northwestern University, where he continued his research in theoretical astrophysics, star clusters, and numerical modeling. Steve is currently Distinguished Professor of Physics at Drexel University and a frequent visiting researcher at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study and the University of Tokyo. He has published over 50 scientific papers in professional journals.

From the Back Cover

Nearly every chapter substantially updated with new and late-breaking information, such as:

• Coverage of the search for extrasolar planets.
• A discussion of the accelerating universe.
• Expanded coverage of gamma ray bursts.
• Continuing coverage of the Galileo mission to Jupiter.

New Concept Check discussion questions integrated throughout each chapter
These critical thinking questions test conceptual understanding of the material just presented and help place it in a broader context. Answers to Concept Check questions are included in the Appendix to aid self-assessment.

A fully integrated media package
The media package for Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe, Third Edition fully integrates the text and its accompanying multimedia resources. Icons are included throughout to indicate the availability of additional complementary material on the CD-ROM and/or text-specific website. The CD-ROM and website are also hyperlinked where appropriate.

The free CD-ROM inside this text includes:

• An electronic, fully-hyperlinked version of the entire Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe, Third Edition text. Cross-links, objectives, glossary terms, and hints to end-of-chapter true/false and fill-in-the-blank self-tests are all linked to the relevant text section.
• Integrated links to the Chaisson/McMillian website.
• 56 videos and animations, larger and enhanced, and now featuring narrative voiceovers.

Edition details

• Publisher: Prentice Hall
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0130873071
• ISBN 13: 9780130873071
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 504