Synopsis
Written by two of the most prolific writers and researchers in astronomy today, this text provides a comprehensive introduction to the subject, covering all topics in a streamlined fashion. Jay M. Pasachoff has decades of teaching and writing experience, while Alex Filippenko is well known for his research on supernovae, active galaxies, black holes and cosmology. The most up-to-date coverage of astronomy is included, with the recent discoveries discussed and illustrated with cutting edge images and results from the Keck telescopes, Hubble, Chandra X-Ray Observatory and Galileo. There are three chapters of comparative planetary coverage to help give readers a view of the relationships between the individual planets and the solar system as a whole. The book also indicates relevant websites, highlight common misconceptions, and leads a discussion of these issues, and how to dispel them.
Review
On Chapter 16 (A Universe of Galaxies): "This chapter is superbly done. The discussion on dark matter and the sections on 'The search for distant galaxies' and 'The Evolution of Galaxies' are exceptional. On Chapter 17 (Quasars and Active Galaxies): "Entire chapter is excellent. Discussion on quasars is excellent. Figure 17-28 on the appearance from Earth of an active galaxy--excellent." Weaknesses: "None that I can see." Specific Errors: "Couldn't find any!" "Love the starparties! These might be the best 'lab' of all. The little lightbulbs for highlighting core ideas, and especially dealing with misconceptions, are great. This is clearly a student-friendly text." "No problems with the writing style, or pace--I've got one of Pasachoff's field guides on my desk...He's a pro! And widely regarded for his science, and for his writing." "Pasachoff and Filippenko is an excellent text--certainly one of the better brief astronomy texts, and arguably the best. It reads well, it is engaging, it is clear, and it is concise." "The authors seem to have taken great pains to be accurate and to keep the reader informed of assumptions and limitations... It tells why a particular topic is important... It anticipates and clears up possible points of confusion... Brief historical notes help establish the perspective that astronomy is an ongoing, exciting, human adventure." "The level is good. The average introductory astronomy student can read it, but it has not been really 'dumbed down.' Because the authors have chosen their words with great care, it is one of the most accurate books on the market." "I like the idea of having a short book which allows the students to focus on the key ideas. I like very much [the authors'] efforts to debunk pseudo-science and distinguish such nonsense from real science." "The authors have done a good job in covering the emerging areas of astronomy." "The way that your authors integrate the physics concepts into the book is appropriate for this course. For example, I like the way they introduced general relativity by relating it to solar studies. These are difficult concepts but they were presented in such a way that they should not overwhelm the students." Weaknesses: "None that I can see." Specific Errors: "Couldn?t find any!" "Love the starparties! These might be the best ?lab? of all. The little lightbulbs for highlighting core ideas, and especially dealing with misconceptions, are great. This is clearly a student-friendly text." "No problems with the writing style, or pace--I?ve got one of Pasachoff's field guides on my desk...He's a pro! And widely regarded for his science, and for his writing." "Love the starparties! These might be the best alaba of all. The little lightbulbs for highlighting core ideas, and especially dealing with misconceptions, are great. This is clearly a student-friendly text." "No problems with the writing style, or pace--Iave got one of Pasachoffas field guides on my desk...Heas a pro! And widely regarded for his science, and for his writing."
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