Synopses & Reviews
Astronomy, astrophysics and space research have witnessed an explosive development over the last few decades. The new observational potential offered by space stations and the availability of powerful and highly specialized computers have revealed novel aspects of the fascinating realm of galaxies, quasars, stars and planets. The present completely revised 5th edition of The New Cosmos provides ample evidence of these dramatic developments. In a concise presentation, which assumes only a modest prior knowledge of mathematics and physics, the book gives a coherent introduction to the entire field of astronomy and astrophysics. At the same time it takes into account the art of observation and the fundamental ideas behind their interpretation. Like its predecessors, this edition of The New Cosmos will provide new insight and enjoyment not only to students and researchers in the fields of astronomy, physics and earth sciences, but also to a wide range of interested amateurs.
Review
From the reviews of the fifth edition:
"... The library copies of the earlier editions are well thumbed, which is a good indication of how often they are referenced. I have no doubt that this new edition will prove as popular."
(Journal of the British Astronomical Association)
"The present volume remains, I believe, a valuable contribution to astronomy education, particularly because of its enormous breadth at a level of detail not really found elsewhere. For many an undergraduate course it should provide an ideal text, while for a wide range of other situations ... it will provide an excellent companion; even among the professional community, it will be a handy reference ... . It is nicely produced and at a very reasonable price." (David Stickland, The Observatory, Vol. 122 (1167), 2002)
Review
From the reviews of the fifth edition:
"... The library copies of the earlier editions are well thumbed, which is a good indication of how often they are referenced. I have no doubt that this new edition will prove as popular."
(Journal of the British Astronomical Association)
"The present volume remains, I believe, a valuable contribution to astronomy education, particularly because of its enormous breadth at a level of detail not really found elsewhere. For many an undergraduate course it should provide an ideal text, while for a wide range of other situations ... it will provide an excellent companion; even among the professional community, it will be a handy reference ... . It is nicely produced and at a very reasonable price." (David Stickland, The Observatory, Vol. 122 (1167), 2002)
Synopsis
This new edition of the classic textbook The New Cosmos presents a comprehensive introductory survey of the whole field of astronomy and astrophysics.
Among the topics covered are:
- Classical astronomy and the Solar System
- Instruments and observational methods
- The Sun and the stars
- The Milky Way and other galaxies
- Cosmology
- The origin of the Solar System, the development of the Earth and of life,
The observational methods and results of astronomical research as well as their theoretical foundations and interrelations are presented in a understandable format. The rapid progress of observational techniques and of theoretical understanding in the past decade are introduced and summarized in this timely and readable volume.
Synopsis
The explosive development of astronomy, astrophysics and space research over the last few decades has revealed unusual aspects of the realm of galaxies, quasars, stars and planets. Providing ample evidence of these developments, this guide assumes modest prior knowledge of mathematics and physics. It gives a coherent introduction to the entire field of astronomy and astrophysics and offers new insight and enjoyment to students and researchers.
Table of Contents
From the Contents: Classical Astronomy and the Solar System.- Humanity and the Stars: Observing and Thinking.- Classical Astronomy.- The Physical Structure of the Objects in the Solar System.- Radiation, Instruments and Observational Techniques.- The Development of Astronomical Observation Methods.- Radiation and Matter.- Astronomical and Astrophysical Instruments.- The Sun and Stars. The Astrophysics of Individual Stars.- Astronomy + Physics = Astrophysics.- The Distances and Fundamental Properties of the Stars.- The Spectra and Atmospheres of Stars.- The Structure and Evolution of Stars.- Stellar Systems. Cosmology and Cosmogony.- The Advance into the Universe.- Star Clusters.- Interstellar Matter and Star Formation.- The Structure and Dynamics of the Milky Way Galaxy.- Galaxies and Clusters of Galaxies.- Cosmology: the Cosmos as a Whole.- The Cosmogony of the Solar System. ...