Astronomy Today

0136155502 Astronomy Today Vol 2, 6/e: Stars and Galaxies includes Part One on foundations (Chapters 1-5); Part Three on stars and stellar evolution (Chapters 16-22); and Part Four on galaxies and cosmology (Chapters 23-28). Vol 1 ISBN 0136155499 has to be purchased separatelyAstronomy Today Vol 1, 6/e: The Solar System covers Part One on foundations (Chapters 1-5); Part Two on the solar system (Chapters 6-15); the Sun chapter (Chapter 16); and the final chapter on life in the universe (Chapter 28).

Astronomy is a science that thrives on new discoveries. Fueled by new technologies and novel theoretical insights, the study of the cosmos continues to change our understanding of the universe. We are pleased to have the opportunity to present in this book a representative sample of the known facts, evolving ideas, and frontier discoveries in astronomy today. Astronomy Todayhas been written for students who have taken no previous college science courses and who will likely not major in physics or astronomy. It is intended for use in a one- or two-semester, non-technical astronomy course. We present a broad view of astronomy, straightforwardly descriptive and without complex mathematics. The absence of sophisticated mathematics, however, in no way prevents discussion of important concepts. Rather, we rely on qualitative reasoning as well as analogies with objects and phenomena familiar to the student to explain the complexities of the subject without oversimplification. We have tried to communicate the excitement we feel about astronomy and to awaken students to the marvelous universe around us. Many of you--teachers and students alike--have given us helpful feedback and constructive criticism on earlier editions. From these, we have learned to communicate better both the fundamentals and the excitement of astronomy. Many improvements inspired by your comments have been incorporated into this new edition. Focus of the Fifth Edition From the first edition, we have tried to meet the challenge of writing a book that is both accurate and approachable. To the student, astronomy sometimes seems like a long list of unfamiliar terms to be memorized and repeated. You will indeed be introduced to many new terms and concepts in this course, but we hope you will also learn and remember how science is done, how the universe works, and how things are connected. In the fifth edition, we have taken particular care to try to show how astronomers know what they know, and to highlight both the scientific principles underlying their work and the process used in discovery. New and Revised Material Astronomy is a rapidly evolving field, and the three years since the publication of the fourth edition ofAstronomy Todayhave seen many new discoveries covering the entire spectrum of astronomical research. Almost every chapter in the fifth edition has been substantially updated with new information. Several chapters have also seen significant internal reorganization in order to streamline the overall presentation, strengthen our focus on the process of science, and reflect new understanding and emphases in contemporary astronomy. Among the many changes are: Expanded coverage throughout of the scientific method and how astronomers "know what they know." New part-opening essays to establish historical context for each section of the text. Updated material in Chapter 5 on adaptive optics, Keck, Subaru, Gemini, and the VLT; additional material on infrared and optical interferometry; new coverage of theChandraandSpitzermissions. An introduction to solar-system formation in Chapter 6, to better frame the discussion of planetary properties that follows. New material in Chapter 7 on the Ozone Hole and Global Warming. Expanded coverage in Chapters 6 and 10 of the most recent missions to Mars. Updates in Chapter 10 on Martian oppositions, gullies, oceans, and ice. Final update on theGalileo/GEMmission in Chapter 11. Coverage ofStardust,new Kuiper belt objects, and Pluto's status as a planet in Chapter 14. Updated discussion of solar system formation in Chapter 15; expanded coverage of competing theories, planet migration, planetesimal ejection, plutinos, and the angular momentum problem. New sections in Chapter 15 on extrasolar planets, with updated material on the latest obse