Gregory
member
Reged: 07/24/05
Posts: 52
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Hello all,
Speaking of books -- does anyone have a favorite
astronomy/astrophysics text suitable for, say, undergraduate
non-majors (or those just beginning to explore the
possibility of majoring in astronomy)? I have the
Zeilik & Smith text "Introductory Astronomy and
Astrophysics", but find it a bit desultory and
inconsistently mathematical, by which I mean they
frequently mix simpler mathematical formulae with
more complex formulae which have little introduction
or explanation.
So, something mathematical, but more organized, with
perhaps more recent information that Z&S 2nd or 3rd
editions? Even a combination of two texts that
meet the criteria would be fine.
Gregory
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David Knisely
Postmaster
Reged: 04/19/04
Posts: 13646
Loc: southeastern Nebraska
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Quote:
Hello all,
Speaking of books -- does anyone have a favorite
astronomy/astrophysics text suitable for, say, undergraduate
non-majors (or those just beginning to explore the
possibility of majoring in astronomy)? I have the
Zeilik & Smith text "Introductory Astronomy and
Astrophysics", but find it a bit desultory and
inconsistently mathematical, by which I mean they
frequently mix simpler mathematical formulae with
more complex formulae which have little introduction
or explanation.
So, something mathematical, but more organized, with
perhaps more recent information that Z&S 2nd or 3rd
editions? Even a combination of two texts that
meet the criteria would be fine.
Gregory
You know, I was just going to cite that very book, as it is several editions beyond the original one I used for my 2-semester Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics course I took when getting my degree. The current edition still has its faults, but it still can be quite useful, and I still refer to it from time to time. I don't know of one which rolls as much as it does into one neat package. Clear skies to you.
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David W. Knisely . . . . . . "If you aren't having fun in this hobby, you aren't doing it right."
Hyde Memorial Observatory
http://www.hydeobservatory.info
Prairie Astronomy Club
http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org
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Starman1
Vendor (EyepiecesEtc.com)
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 17639
Loc: Los Angeles
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Universe, Freedman and Kaufmann
Link will give you more info.
Excellent end-of-chapter questions and topics for further reading.
It's the textbook I wish I had had.
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Don Pensack
www.EyepiecesEtc.com
12.5" Teeter/Zambuto, 5" Maksutov
Sustaining Lifetime IDA member
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Gregory
member
Reged: 07/24/05
Posts: 52
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Thanks Don, looks like a good one. William J. Kaufmann,
IMHO, is always worth reading.
Gregory
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JohanK
super member
Reged: 05/21/07
Posts: 171
Loc: Ghent, Belgium
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Another one:
The Cosmic Perspective
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TomC10
sage
Reged: 12/21/04
Posts: 279
Loc: Land of Enchantment
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I was thinking of posting a recommendation on an introductory astrophysics book. Modern Astrophysics by Bradley W. Carroll and Dale A. Ostlie. I bought the 1996 1st Edition about 2 years ago for ~$99, I see they have a 2nd Edition (2006) out now but I have not read that book.
This book seems to be used as the text for several undergraduate astrophysics classes I've found online. I think it is great! It covers a wide spectrum of stellar astrophysics, astronomy, planetary science topics, galaxies and cosmology. Its serious enough to have equations for hydrostatic models, dimensional analysis, introduces spectral analysis - a little bit of everything, but very simple examples and treatments. In a word this book is 'Great' for those of us studying astrophysics etc, on our own.
Oh!, and (speaking of the 1st editions) if you plan to buy it get the version mentioned above. My understanding is that they wrote a text specifically on "Stellar Astrophysics" but it costs about the same and does not have the chapters on the solar system, galaxies, and cosmology. These are all part of astronomy/astrophysics degree programs.
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------
Tom C
C10 NGT
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macpurity
super member
Reged: 10/24/04
Posts: 116
Loc: Maryland, USA
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I have found Unsöld and Baschek's The New Cosmos (5th ed corrected, Springer Verlag, about $80) to be a very useful book. It is broad in scope and well balanced. Not overly mathematical, but rigorous when needed for good reason. It offers a great overview of astronomy and astrophysics. Check out the link for the table of contents and sample pages.
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stevecoe
"Astronomical Tourist"
Reged: 04/24/04
Posts: 3766
Loc: Arizona, USA
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I taught from Kaufmann and found it plenty detailed enough for a Astro 101 course. That was 3 years ago. I will ask my observing buddy what he is teaching from and provide that here when I get an answer.
Clear Skies;
Steve Coe
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16" f/4.5 Newtonian on Alt-Az mount by Tectron
Author "Touching the Universe" iUniverse
Author "Deep Sky Observing" Springer
Author "Nebulae and How to Observe Them" Springer
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Chris Z
super member
Reged: 03/24/04
Posts: 141
Loc: Chicago, IL
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Hi Steve. What class did you teach?
Chris
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TV 60
Orion SVP 120mm f8.3
Obsession 12.5" f5
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stevecoe
"Astronomical Tourist"
Reged: 04/24/04
Posts: 3766
Loc: Arizona, USA
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Chris;
It was an astronomy course that was aimed at meeting a science requirement for business and computer science students. It was fun and they seemed to enjoy it.
Clear Skies;
Steve Coe
--------------------
16" f/4.5 Newtonian on Alt-Az mount by Tectron
Author "Touching the Universe" iUniverse
Author "Deep Sky Observing" Springer
Author "Nebulae and How to Observe Them" Springer
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Gregory
member
Reged: 07/24/05
Posts: 52
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Many thanks for all of the responses.
BTW, has anyone purchased or looked through "Observational
Astrophysics" by Robert C. Smith?
Observational Astrophysics
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Indefatigable
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/29/06
Posts: 579
Loc: Toronto
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I would recommend anything by Jay Pasachoff. I can't think of a specific astronomy title off the top of my head, but since university astronomy has a lot of physics in it, I would take a peek into Physics with Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers (Wolfson & Pasachoff).
Get it from the library if you aren't sure. It's very readable, but also very expensive. Nevertheless it's one of the few physics texts I own that I think was worth every penny I spent on it.
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Brenda
Skywatcher Pro 80ED
Synscan NEQ3
Meade DSI Pro
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LivingNDixie
TSP Chowhound
Reged: 04/23/03
Posts: 17757
Loc: Trussville, AL
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I just ordered the Universe book that Don recomended. Can't wait to get it!
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Preston
Meade 10in LX200R GPS UHTC
blog (updated 02/15/2013)
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chexmix
sage
Reged: 12/01/04
Posts: 348
Loc: Arlington, MA, USA
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I recently read an old (1995) edition of what I believe is now called _Voyages Through the Universe_ by Fraknoi, Morrison and Wolff. The edition I have is an update of an older book by George Abell and, even though a bit long in the tooth, it is EXCELLENT. I would hope the new (renamed) editions continue the things I liked about it: even though it is ostensibly an undergrad text it does not shy away from necessary maths and concepts. Good stuff.
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8" Discovery DHQ
Celestron C102-HD
9x63 Orion mini-giants
(2) Frontally-placed visual organs, incl. lens, vitreous/aqueous humors, assorted rods, cones.
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Greg-S
member
Reged: 09/11/05
Posts: 11
Loc: North Carolina
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Does anyone have any experience with Astronomy Today (6th Edition) by Eric Chaisson?
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Greg
6" f/5.0 homemade dob
10x70 Oberwerk
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LivingNDixie
TSP Chowhound
Reged: 04/23/03
Posts: 17757
Loc: Trussville, AL
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I have seen a previous version. It was ok, but the one I saw had a couple of typos in it.
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Preston
Meade 10in LX200R GPS UHTC
blog (updated 02/15/2013)
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desertstars
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 41911
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Quote:
I have seen a previous version. It was ok, but the one I saw had a couple of typos in it.
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Thomas Watson
Author of Mr. Olcott's Skies. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
@desertstarsbks
Under Desert StarsEither Way, It's Reading
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LivingNDixie
TSP Chowhound
Reged: 04/23/03
Posts: 17757
Loc: Trussville, AL
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Ok means ok. Not great, just ok... 
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Preston
Meade 10in LX200R GPS UHTC
blog (updated 02/15/2013)
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