It might sound like a rudimentary introduction to astronomy, or even like one of those "dummies" books; however, it covers an overwhelming amount of information in a very easy-to-read book. I have many, many books on various sciences, and often times I like a single source that helps at least aggregate the ideas into a single resource; a reference if you will. Most of the ideas are probably not new to most of you, but it provides an overview of many things that you could then choose to expound on with additional resources. For example, the chapter on stellar evolution is quite short, but if you wish to learn more than you can pick up a more academic book ( e.g. Principles of Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis).
In short: It's a great book that helps summarize what you probably already know, and it helps identify those areas that you are not familiar with. If you're like me, you'll want to seek additional resources to learn more.
I'd also like to know of any other texts that cover most facets of astronomy in relative detail.
Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide
Started by
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, Feb 24 2004 02:56 PM
18 replies to this topic
#2
desertstars
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Posted 24 February 2004 - 03:34 PM
Who publishes this one?
I'm familiar with many of the Dummies books, and have found them anything from mildly to extremely helpful. (Home Buying for Dummies save us, conservatively, $20K.) If they have one on astronomy, I would seriously consider adding it to my library.
I'm familiar with many of the Dummies books, and have found them anything from mildly to extremely helpful. (Home Buying for Dummies save us, conservatively, $20K.) If they have one on astronomy, I would seriously consider adding it to my library.
#3
Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*
Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*
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topic starter
Posted 24 February 2004 - 04:28 PM
My apologies, I forgot to link to the book. It looks like it's published by John Wiley and Sons.
The only reason I said it was like a dummies book is because it often skims over the details; however, sometimes you don't want the details, but if you do you can find a book entirely dedicated to that subject. I think this book is invaluable for such a task.
If you do get the book make sure you get the 6th edition. My local Barnes and Noble had both editions available.
The only reason I said it was like a dummies book is because it often skims over the details; however, sometimes you don't want the details, but if you do you can find a book entirely dedicated to that subject. I think this book is invaluable for such a task.
If you do get the book make sure you get the 6th edition. My local Barnes and Noble had both editions available.
#4
desertstars
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Posted 24 February 2004 - 05:04 PM
Ah, that's what I though. I've used their math guides (algebra and calculus) and those books were life savers. If they have done as well with astronomy, it is definitely a book worth having. I'll check it out.
#5
Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*
Guest_**DONOTDELETE**_*
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Posted 26 August 2004 - 03:11 PM
Hi all
I'm working my way through Astronomy stg just now, and finding it very helpful. As a newcomer to astronomy I wanted to understand more about the mechanics behind the movement of the stars, planets etc.
This book does that in a user-friendly way - quite small chunks of info and lots of little self-tests to make sure you're getting it!
The author is Dinah L. Moche and it's published by John WIley. My copy is the 6th edition and it cost £13.95.
Fiona
I'm working my way through Astronomy stg just now, and finding it very helpful. As a newcomer to astronomy I wanted to understand more about the mechanics behind the movement of the stars, planets etc.
This book does that in a user-friendly way - quite small chunks of info and lots of little self-tests to make sure you're getting it!
The author is Dinah L. Moche and it's published by John WIley. My copy is the 6th edition and it cost £13.95.
Fiona
#6
Peter Argenziano
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Watcher of the Skies
Posted 06 September 2004 - 03:07 AM
I'm familiar with many of the Dummies books, and have found them anything from mildly to extremely helpful. (Home Buying for Dummies save us, conservatively, $20K.) If they have one on astronomy, I would seriously consider adding it to my library.
There is an Astronomy for Dummies in the series.
Another good book along these lines is 'Astronomy Demystified' by Stan Gibilisco (McGraw Hill).
Peter
#7
desertstars
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Posted 06 September 2004 - 02:37 PM
Now, if someone would just do somthing of the same for cosmology!
#8
Peter Argenziano
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Watcher of the Skies
Posted 06 September 2004 - 05:59 PM
The closest you'll likely find is a tome entitled 'The Big Bang: What It Is, Where It Came From and Why It Works' by Karen Fox.
Peter
Peter
#9
Victor Kennedy
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Pooh-Bear
Posted 08 September 2004 - 01:44 AM
How about Astrology for Dummies?
#10
desertstars
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Posted 08 September 2004 - 10:47 AM
Certainly an appropriate title...
#11
The Meal
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Ranger 4
Posted 08 September 2004 - 11:16 AM
How about Astrology for Dummies?
Isn't that redundant?
#12
Victor Kennedy
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Pooh-Bear
Posted 08 September 2004 - 03:53 PM
No, more like accurate.
#13
desertstars
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Posted 08 September 2004 - 04:10 PM
For the record, I agree (having started the sarcasm). But let's not get too carried away with the bashing here, however much it may be deserved. (Boy, how was that for two-sided moderation? 
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#14
Victor Kennedy
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Pooh-Bear
Posted 08 September 2004 - 04:25 PM
All in fun. Some of my best friends are astrologers.
#16
The Meal
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Ranger 4
Posted 08 September 2004 - 09:25 PM
Yeppers, I know plenty of horrorscope followers (I even bite my tongue when they start telling me what to expect!).
#17
Victor Kennedy
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Pooh-Bear
Posted 09 September 2004 - 01:41 AM
Some of my other best friends are lawyers (I'm a forgiving sort of person).
#18
TomC10
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Mariner 2
Posted 29 December 2004 - 01:43 AM
Tom L,
I've found a book on cosmology you might like,
"An Introduction to Modern Cosmology" by Andrew Liddle {Wiley}
The explanations are to the point and the equations are easier to absorb, not a lot of derivations.
I've found a book on cosmology you might like,
"An Introduction to Modern Cosmology" by Andrew Liddle {Wiley}
The explanations are to the point and the equations are easier to absorb, not a lot of derivations.
#19
FAB
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Stargeezer
Posted 29 December 2004 - 03:00 AM
Another good book, much of which relates to cosomology is the "Whole Shebang-A State Of The Universe Report" by Timothy Ferris, Simon & Schuster.
Upside: It presents very succinctly, and in fairly easy to understand language (even I understood most of it), cosomological and to some extent astronomical knowledge up to the time it was published.
Obviously it's more of a digest than a comprehensive work, but I think it's pretty good.
Downside: It was published in 1997.
FAB
Upside: It presents very succinctly, and in fairly easy to understand language (even I understood most of it), cosomological and to some extent astronomical knowledge up to the time it was published.
Obviously it's more of a digest than a comprehensive work, but I think it's pretty good.
Downside: It was published in 1997.
FAB
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