Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe - Softcover

Chaisson, Eric; McMillan, Steve

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0131047639 ISBN 13: 9780131047631

Publisher: Pearson College Div, 2003

Synopsis

Chaisson/McMillan's writing style and pedagogically driven art program are recognized as being scientifically accurate yet accessible to non-science majors. The integrated media program contains the market's only E-book. It provides readers with innovative and interactive tools to learn and test their understanding of astronomy concepts. Topics covered include Astronomy and the Universe, Our Planetay System, Stars and Stellar Evolution, Galaxies and Cosmology, and more. For one or two-semester introductory astronomy course.

About this title

From the Publisher:

The number-one, best-selling astronomy text, Astronomy Today, has been revised based on reviewers' comments and extensive development. Astronomy Today has been shortened (from 30 to 28 chapters), but retains its informal-but-scientific writing style, and exceptional art program. Its unique subscription program COMETS now includes computer-generated animations from NASA illustrator Dana Berry. Astronomy Today, Second Edition employs the familiar planets-sun-stars- galaxies organization. Key concepts are introduced in the familiar context of the Earth and solar system; the concepts are carefully developed as discussion moves outward towards the stars and galaxies. A highly praised approach to spectroscopy and light (topics often difficult for students) and outstanding treatment of active galaxies and cosmology are other highlights.

About the Author:

Eric Chaisson. Eric 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 then joined Tufts University, where he is now Professor of 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, Harvard's Smith-Weld Prize for Literary Merit, and the Walter P. Kistler Book Award. 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. Steve 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 more than 50 scientific papers in professional journals.

About this edition

• Publisher: Pearson College Div
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0131047639
• ISBN 13: 9780131047631
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 4
• Number of pages: 487