Synopses & Reviews
Thoroughly updated and re-conceived, Astronomy, Ninth Edition, equips the introductory astronomy student with the essential tools for understanding the cosmos. Michael Zeilik has revised the pedagogy of his successful textbook based on recent research in astronomy education. Significantly shorter than the previous edition, the ninth edition is organized into four concept clusters: Cosmic Distances, Heavenly Motions, Celestial Light and Spectra, and Scientific Models. Material has been streamlined throughout to make the descriptions, concepts, and explanations clearer. Each chapter ends with a concise summary of the concepts in each cluster. Each chapter contains at least one Celestial Navigator, a concept map that provides a visual guide of major concepts in the chapter and explicity shows their connections. Throughout, illustrations have been updated to be clearer and more understandable to the novice student. Michael Zeilik, Professor of Physics and Astronomy and former Presidential Lecturer at the University of New Mexico, specializes in innovative, introductory courses for the novice, non-science major student. In 1998, he was appointed a Research Fellow at the National Institute of Science Education. Zeilik's work has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Exxon Educational Foundation, and the Slipher Fund of the National Academy of Sciences. In 1997, the 8th edition of Astronomy: The Evolving Universe won a Texty Award from the Text and Academic Authors Association. In 2002 he was awarded the Astronomy Education Prize by the American Astronomical Society.
Review
"A slick introductory textbook that vaguely resembles a really thick Discover magazine. Zeilik...presents each topic in a patient, engaging manner, and even includes some material from his research on astronomy in the historic and prehistoric Pueblo world." Book News"This is an ideal reference book which can be used in conjunction with lecture material." Astronomy &Space
Review
"A slick introductory textbook that vaguely resembles a really thick Discover magazine. Zeilik...presents each topic in a patient, engaging manner, and even includes some material from his research on astronomy in the historic and prehistoric Pueblo world." Book News"This is an ideal reference book which can be used in conjunction with lecture material." Astronomy &Space"The science is accurate and presented in a logical sequence, with concepts stressed more than vocabulary. The photos and figures have been thoughtfully selected and generously sized, and the prose is written in an engagingly colloquial style.... The text continually explains the significance of what the reader is studying.... anyone seeking a good descriptive overview of astronomy at the dawn of the 21st century should certainly consider using this excellent book." Science Books and Films"...provides a clearly written introduction to astronomy for undergraduates or interested novices. It is recommended for undergraduate science collections, as well as public libraries providing continuing education resourcesin the sciences." E-Streams
Synopsis
This highly illustrated textbook for a one-semester introduction to astronomy describes the full range of the astronomical universe and how astronomers think about the cosmos. This ninth edition is more streamlined than earlier editions, presenting only that material needed by students. Each topic is presented in a patient, engaging manner, and includes the latest astronomical research.
Table of Contents
Part I. Changing Conceptions of the Cosmos: 1. From chaos to cosmos; 2. The birth of cosmological models; 3. The new cosmic order; 4. The clockwork universe; 5. The birth of astrophysics; 6. Telescopes and our insight to the cosmos; 7. Einstein's vision; Part II. The Planets: Past and Present: 8. The earth: an evolving planet; 9. Moon and Mercury, Mars and Venus: terrestrial planets; 10. The Jovian planets: primitive worlds; 11. The origin and evolution of the solar system; Part III. The Universe of Stars: 12. Our sun: local star; 13. The stars as suns; 14. Starbirth and interstellar matter; 15. Star lives; 16. Star death; Part IV. Galaxies and Cosmic Evolution: 17. The evolution of the galaxy; 18. The universe of galaxies; 19. Cosmic violence; 20. Cosmic history; Appendix A. Units; Appendix B. Planetary data; Appendix C. Physical constants and astronomical data; Appendix D. Nearby stars in the Hipparcus catalogue; Appendix E. Periodic table of the elements; Expanded glossary; Index.