Astronomy Today
4th Edition
Published on 7. September 2001
Book
Hardback
832 pages
978-0-13-091542-9 (ISBN)
Description
For one or two-semester introductory astronomy course.
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 students with innovative and interactive tools to learn and test their understanding of astronomy concepts.
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 students with innovative and interactive tools to learn and test their understanding of astronomy concepts.
More details
Edition
4th edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Pearson Education (US)
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 283 mm
Width: 221 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
2033 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-13-091542-9 (9780130915429)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Eric Chaisson | Steve McMillan
Astronomy Today
Book
10/2004
5th Edition
Pearson
€66.84
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Previous edition
Eric Chaisson | Steve McMillan
Astronomy Today, 2000 Media Update Edition
Book
11/1999
3rd Edition
Pearson
€43.32
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Content
(NOTE: Volume 1 contains Chs. 1-15 and Volume 2 contains Chs. 1-5 and 16-28.)ASTRONOMY AND THE UNIVERSE.
1. Charting the Heavens: The Foundation of Astronomy.
Our Place in Space. The Obvious View. Earth's Orbital Motion. The Motion of the Moon. The Measurement of Distance.
2. The Copernican Revolution: The Birth of Modern Science.
Ancient Astronomy. The Geocentric Universe. The Heliocentric Model of the Solar System. The Birth of Modern Astronomy. The Laws of Planetary Motion. The Dimensions of the Solar System. Newton's Laws.
3. Radiation: Information from the Cosmos.
Information from the Skies. Waves in What? The Electromagnetic Spectrum. The Distribution of Radiation. The Doppler Effect.
4. Spectroscopy: The Inner Workings of Atoms.
Spectral Lines. The Formation of Spectral Lines. Molecules. Spectral-Line Analysis.
5. Telescopes: The Tools of Astronomy.
Optical Telescopes. Telescope Size. High-Resolution Astronomy. Radio Astronomy. Interferometry. Space-Based Astronomy. Full-Spectrum Coverage.
OUR PLANETARY SYSTEM.
6. The Solar System: An Introduction to Comparative Planetology.
An Inventory of the Solar System. Planetary Properties. The Overall Layout of the Solar System. Terrestrial and Jovian Planets. Interplanetary Debris. Spacecraft Exploration of the Solar System.
7. The Earth: Our Home in Space.
Overall Structure of Planet Earth. Earth's Atmosphere. Earth's Interior. Surface Activity. Earth's Magnetosphere. The Tides.
8. The Moon and Mercury: Scorched and Battered World.
Orbital Properties. Physical Properties. Surface Features on the Moon and Mercury. Rotation Rates. Lunar Cratering and Surface Composition. The Surface of Mercury. Interiors. The Origin of the Moon. Evolutionary History of the Moon and Mercury.
9. Venus: Earth's Sister Planet.
Orbital Properties. Physical Properties. Long-Distance Observations of Venus. The Surface of Venus. The Atmosphere of Venus. Venus's Magnetic Field and Internal Structure.
10. Mars: A Near Miss for Life?
Orbital Properties. Physical Properties. Long-Distance Observations of Mars. The Surface of Mars. The Martian Atmosphere. Martian Internal Structure. The Moons of Mars.
11. Jupiter: Giant of the Solar System.
Orbital and Physical Properties. The Atmosphere of Jupiter. Internal Structure. Jupiter's Magnetosphere. The Moons of Jupiter. Jupiter's Ring.
12. Saturn: Spectacular Rings and Mysterious Moons.
Orbital and Physical Properties. Saturn's Atmosphere. Saturn's Interior and Magnetosphere. Saturn's Spectacular Ring System. The Moons of Saturn.
13. Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto: The Outer Worlds of the Solar System.
The Discovery of Uranus. The Discovery of Neptune. Physical Properties of Uranus and Neptune. The Atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune. Magnetospheres and Internal Structure. The Moon Systems of Uranus and Neptune. The Rings of the Outermost Jovian Planets. The Discovery of Pluto. Physical Properties of Pluto. The Origin of Pluto.
14. Solar System Debris: Keys to Our Origin.
Asteroids. Comets. Meteoroids.
15. The Formation of Planetary System: The Birth of Our World.
Modeling the Origin of Our Solar System. The Condensation Theory. The Differentiation of the Solar System. The Role of Catastrophes. Planets Beyond the Solar System.
STARS AND STELLAR EVOLUTION.
16. The Sun: Our Parent Star.
Physical Properties of the Sun. The Solar Interior. The Solar Atmosphere. The Active Sun. The Heart of the Sun. Observations of Solar Neutrinos.
17. Measuring the Stars: Giants, Dwarfs and the Main Sequence.
The Distance to the Stars. Stellar Motion. Luminosity and Apparent Brightness. Stellar Temperatures. Stellar Sizes. The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram. Extending the Cosmic Distance Scale. Stellar Masses.
18. The Interstellar Medium: Gas and Dust Among the Stars.
Interstellar Matter. Emission Nebulae. Dark Dust Clouds. 21-Centimeter Radiation. Interstellar Molecules.
19. Star Formation: A Traumatic Birth.
Star-Forming Regions. The Formation of Stars Like the Sun. Stars of Other Masses. Observations of Cloud Fragments and Protostars. Shock Waves and Star Formation. Star Clusters.
20. Star Evolution: The Life of a Star.
Leaving the Main Sequence. The Evolution of a Sunlike Star. The Death of a Low-Mass Star. Evolution of Stars More Massive. Observing Stellar Evolution in Star Clusters. The Evolution of Binary-Star Systems.
21. Stellar Explosions: Novae, Supernovae, and the Formation of the Heavy Elements.
Life after Death for White Dwarfs. The End of a High-Mass Star. Supernova Explosions. The Formation of the Elements. The Cycle of Stellar Evolution.
22. Neutron Stars and Black Holes: Strange States of Matter.
Neuron Stars. Pulsars. Neutron-Star Binaries. Gamma-Rays Bursts. Black Holes. Black Holes and Curved Space. Space Travel Near Black Holes. Observational Evidence for Black Holes.
GALAXIES AND COSMOLOGY.
23. The Milky Way Galaxy: A Grand Design.
Our Parent Galaxy. Measuring the Milky Way. The Large-Scale Structure of Our Galaxy. The Formation of the Milky Way. Galactic Spiral Arms. The Mass of the Milky Way Galaxy. The Galactic Center.
24. Normal Galaxies: The Large-Scale Structure of the Universe.
Hubble's Galaxy Classification. The Distribution of Galaxies in Space. Galaxy Masses. Galaxy Formation and Evolution. Hubble's Law.
25. Active Galaxies and Quasars: Limits of the Observable Universe.
Beyond the Local Realm. Properties of Active Galaxies. Quasi-Stellar Objects. The Central Engine of an Active Galaxy. Quasars as Cosmic Probes. Active Galaxy Evolution.
26. Cosmology: The Big Bang and the Fate of the Universe.
The Universe on the Largest Scales. The Expanding Universe. The Fate of the Universe. Will the Universe Expand Forever? The Geometry of Space. The Cosmic Microwave Background.
27. The Early Universe: Toward the Beginning of Time.
Back to the Big Bang. The Evolution of the Universe. The Formation of Nuclei and Atoms. The Inflationary Universe. The Formation of Structure in the Universe.
28. Life in the Universe: Are We Alone?
Cosmic Evolution. Life in the Solar System. Intelligent Life in the Galaxy. The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence.
APPENDICES.
Appendix I: Scientific Notation.
Appendix II: Astronomical Measurement.
Appendix III: Tables.
Appendix IV: Using SkyChart III.
Glossary.
Answers to Concept Check Questions.
Answers to Self-Test Questions.
Index.
Star Charts.
1. Charting the Heavens: The Foundation of Astronomy.
Our Place in Space. The Obvious View. Earth's Orbital Motion. The Motion of the Moon. The Measurement of Distance.
2. The Copernican Revolution: The Birth of Modern Science.
Ancient Astronomy. The Geocentric Universe. The Heliocentric Model of the Solar System. The Birth of Modern Astronomy. The Laws of Planetary Motion. The Dimensions of the Solar System. Newton's Laws.
3. Radiation: Information from the Cosmos.
Information from the Skies. Waves in What? The Electromagnetic Spectrum. The Distribution of Radiation. The Doppler Effect.
4. Spectroscopy: The Inner Workings of Atoms.
Spectral Lines. The Formation of Spectral Lines. Molecules. Spectral-Line Analysis.
5. Telescopes: The Tools of Astronomy.
Optical Telescopes. Telescope Size. High-Resolution Astronomy. Radio Astronomy. Interferometry. Space-Based Astronomy. Full-Spectrum Coverage.
OUR PLANETARY SYSTEM.
6. The Solar System: An Introduction to Comparative Planetology.
An Inventory of the Solar System. Planetary Properties. The Overall Layout of the Solar System. Terrestrial and Jovian Planets. Interplanetary Debris. Spacecraft Exploration of the Solar System.
7. The Earth: Our Home in Space.
Overall Structure of Planet Earth. Earth's Atmosphere. Earth's Interior. Surface Activity. Earth's Magnetosphere. The Tides.
8. The Moon and Mercury: Scorched and Battered World.
Orbital Properties. Physical Properties. Surface Features on the Moon and Mercury. Rotation Rates. Lunar Cratering and Surface Composition. The Surface of Mercury. Interiors. The Origin of the Moon. Evolutionary History of the Moon and Mercury.
9. Venus: Earth's Sister Planet.
Orbital Properties. Physical Properties. Long-Distance Observations of Venus. The Surface of Venus. The Atmosphere of Venus. Venus's Magnetic Field and Internal Structure.
10. Mars: A Near Miss for Life?
Orbital Properties. Physical Properties. Long-Distance Observations of Mars. The Surface of Mars. The Martian Atmosphere. Martian Internal Structure. The Moons of Mars.
11. Jupiter: Giant of the Solar System.
Orbital and Physical Properties. The Atmosphere of Jupiter. Internal Structure. Jupiter's Magnetosphere. The Moons of Jupiter. Jupiter's Ring.
12. Saturn: Spectacular Rings and Mysterious Moons.
Orbital and Physical Properties. Saturn's Atmosphere. Saturn's Interior and Magnetosphere. Saturn's Spectacular Ring System. The Moons of Saturn.
13. Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto: The Outer Worlds of the Solar System.
The Discovery of Uranus. The Discovery of Neptune. Physical Properties of Uranus and Neptune. The Atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune. Magnetospheres and Internal Structure. The Moon Systems of Uranus and Neptune. The Rings of the Outermost Jovian Planets. The Discovery of Pluto. Physical Properties of Pluto. The Origin of Pluto.
14. Solar System Debris: Keys to Our Origin.
Asteroids. Comets. Meteoroids.
15. The Formation of Planetary System: The Birth of Our World.
Modeling the Origin of Our Solar System. The Condensation Theory. The Differentiation of the Solar System. The Role of Catastrophes. Planets Beyond the Solar System.
STARS AND STELLAR EVOLUTION.
16. The Sun: Our Parent Star.
Physical Properties of the Sun. The Solar Interior. The Solar Atmosphere. The Active Sun. The Heart of the Sun. Observations of Solar Neutrinos.
17. Measuring the Stars: Giants, Dwarfs and the Main Sequence.
The Distance to the Stars. Stellar Motion. Luminosity and Apparent Brightness. Stellar Temperatures. Stellar Sizes. The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram. Extending the Cosmic Distance Scale. Stellar Masses.
18. The Interstellar Medium: Gas and Dust Among the Stars.
Interstellar Matter. Emission Nebulae. Dark Dust Clouds. 21-Centimeter Radiation. Interstellar Molecules.
19. Star Formation: A Traumatic Birth.
Star-Forming Regions. The Formation of Stars Like the Sun. Stars of Other Masses. Observations of Cloud Fragments and Protostars. Shock Waves and Star Formation. Star Clusters.
20. Star Evolution: The Life of a Star.
Leaving the Main Sequence. The Evolution of a Sunlike Star. The Death of a Low-Mass Star. Evolution of Stars More Massive. Observing Stellar Evolution in Star Clusters. The Evolution of Binary-Star Systems.
21. Stellar Explosions: Novae, Supernovae, and the Formation of the Heavy Elements.
Life after Death for White Dwarfs. The End of a High-Mass Star. Supernova Explosions. The Formation of the Elements. The Cycle of Stellar Evolution.
22. Neutron Stars and Black Holes: Strange States of Matter.
Neuron Stars. Pulsars. Neutron-Star Binaries. Gamma-Rays Bursts. Black Holes. Black Holes and Curved Space. Space Travel Near Black Holes. Observational Evidence for Black Holes.
GALAXIES AND COSMOLOGY.
23. The Milky Way Galaxy: A Grand Design.
Our Parent Galaxy. Measuring the Milky Way. The Large-Scale Structure of Our Galaxy. The Formation of the Milky Way. Galactic Spiral Arms. The Mass of the Milky Way Galaxy. The Galactic Center.
24. Normal Galaxies: The Large-Scale Structure of the Universe.
Hubble's Galaxy Classification. The Distribution of Galaxies in Space. Galaxy Masses. Galaxy Formation and Evolution. Hubble's Law.
25. Active Galaxies and Quasars: Limits of the Observable Universe.
Beyond the Local Realm. Properties of Active Galaxies. Quasi-Stellar Objects. The Central Engine of an Active Galaxy. Quasars as Cosmic Probes. Active Galaxy Evolution.
26. Cosmology: The Big Bang and the Fate of the Universe.
The Universe on the Largest Scales. The Expanding Universe. The Fate of the Universe. Will the Universe Expand Forever? The Geometry of Space. The Cosmic Microwave Background.
27. The Early Universe: Toward the Beginning of Time.
Back to the Big Bang. The Evolution of the Universe. The Formation of Nuclei and Atoms. The Inflationary Universe. The Formation of Structure in the Universe.
28. Life in the Universe: Are We Alone?
Cosmic Evolution. Life in the Solar System. Intelligent Life in the Galaxy. The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence.
APPENDICES.
Appendix I: Scientific Notation.
Appendix II: Astronomical Measurement.
Appendix III: Tables.
Appendix IV: Using SkyChart III.
Glossary.
Answers to Concept Check Questions.
Answers to Self-Test Questions.
Index.
Star Charts.