The Handy Astronomy Answer Book

The Handy Astronomy Answer Book

by Charles Liu Ph.D.
The Handy Astronomy Answer Book

The Handy Astronomy Answer Book

by Charles Liu Ph.D.

Paperback(Third Edition)

$44.95 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
    Choose Expedited Shipping at checkout for delivery by Thursday, April 4
  • PICK UP IN STORE
    Check Availability at Nearby Stores

Related collections and offers


Overview

Unraveling the Mysteries of the Night Sky. Fact-filled and image-rich guide to the principles of astronomy, its history, a host of fun facts, and helpful tips for the backyard or budding astronomers!

We look to the heavens and wonder in awe. Shooting stars, constellations, planets, galaxies, and the unknown. What is out there? Who is out there? How did the stars and planets come to be? What does it all mean? The last few years have brought an explosion of information leading to serious consideration of questions once deemed crazy. Do other universes exist? Are there planets that could harbor life?

From a neutron star to a black hole; from the Higgs Boson particle to cosmic strings; from the speed of light to gamma radiation; plus a universe of ideas and concepts in between, The Handy Astronomy Answer Book takes you on a journey through the history, science and the latest findings in astronomy. This book tells the story of astronomy—of the cosmos and its contents, and of humanity’s efforts throughout history to unlock its secrets and solve its mysteries. You’ll learn the answers to more than 1,000 questions on astronomy and space, including …

  • What is astrobiology?
  • What is the Dresden Codex, and what does it say about Mayan astronomy?
  • What happened between Galileo and the Catholic Church?
  • What is the longest time that a human has been in space?
  • What is a gamma-ray burst?
  • How do I use a star chart to find stars and constellations?
  • How do space and time relate to one another?
  • What were considered to be NASA’s four great observatories in space?
  • How do astronomers map the night sky?
  • How many constellations are there?
  • How has the discovery of exoplanets affected the search for extraterrestrial life?
  • Could a moon found in a star's habitable zone support life as we know it?
  • How will the universe end?

    From the basic physics and history of astronomy to using star charts, telescopes, and other helpful hints for the home astronomer, and from space mission programs to the greatest adventure of all—the search for life beyond Earth—The Handy Astronomy Answer Book includes information on virtually every topic related to outer space. Containing over 120 illustrations and photos, this book brings the wonders of our universe to life!


  • Product Details

    ISBN-13: 9781578594191
    Publisher: Visible Ink Press
    Publication date: 09/01/2013
    Series: The Handy Answer Book Series
    Edition description: Third Edition
    Pages: 368
    Sales rank: 584,313
    Product dimensions: 6.80(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.40(d)

    About the Author

    Charles Liu is a professor of astrophysics at the City Universityof New York's College of Staten Island and an associate with the Hayden Planetarium and Department of Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History. His research focuses on colliding galaxies, starburst galaxies, quasars, and the star formation history of the universe. In addition to his research publications, Liu also writes for students and general audiences; including Visible Ink Press’ popular The Handy Astronomy Answer Book and The Handy Physics Answer Book, as well as StarTalk with Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Jeffery Lee Simons. For his work with students, he has received the American Institute of Physics Science Writing Award and the Award for Popular Writing on Solar Physics from the American Astronomical Society. Until recently, he served as Education Officer and Trustee of the American Astronomical Society, and he currently serves as president of the Astronomical Society of New York. He earned degrees in astronomy, astrophysics, and physics from Harvard and the Universityof Arizona, and he held postdoctoral positions at Kitt Peak National Observatory and at Columbia University. He and his wife have a daughter and two sons.

    Table of Contents


    Introduction ix Acknowledgments xi Index 319 Astronomy Fundamentals 1 Important Disciplines in Astronomy History of Astronomy Medieval and Renaissance Astronomy Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century Advances Matter and Energy Time, Waves, and Particles Quantum Mechanics The Universe 33 Characteristics of the Universe Origin of the Universe Evidence of the Big Bang Evolution of the Universe Black Holes Wormholes and Cosmic Strings Dark Matter and Dark Energy Multi-Dimension Theories The End of the Universe Galaxies 59 Fundamentals The Milky Way The Milky Way's Neighborhood Galaxy Movement Age of Galaxies Galactic Dust and Clouds Nebulae, Quasars, and Blazars Black Holes in Galaxies Active Galaxies More Active Galaxies and Quasars Stars 89 Star Basics Mapping the Stars Describing and Measuring Stars How Stars Work Sunspots, Flares, and Solar Wind Star Evolution The Sun Dwarf Stars and Giant Stars Neutron Stars and Pulsars Radiating Stars Binary Star Systems Star Clusters The Solar System 125 Planetary Systems Planet Basics The Inner Solar System Gas Giants Moons The Kuiper Belt and Beyond Asteroids Comets Earth and The Moon 161 Earth Orbit and Rotation The Atmosphere The Magnetic Field Van Allen Belts Neutrinos Cosmic Rays Meteors and Meteorites The Moon Tides Clocks and Calendars The Seasons Eclipses Space Programs 193 Rocket History Satellites and Spacecraft The Sputnik Era Communications Satellites First Humans in Space Early Soviet Programs Early American Programs The Apollo Missions Early Space Stations The Space Shuttle Astronomy Today 225 Measuring Units Telescope Basics Photography and Photometry Spectroscopy Interferometry Radio Telescopes Microwave Telescopes Solar TelescopesSpecial Telescopes Terrestrial Observatories Airborne and Infrared Observatories Space Telescopes Infrared Space Telescopes X-Ray Space Telescopes Ultraviolet Space Telescopes Gamma-Ray Space Telescopes Exploring the Solar System 263 Exploration Basics Exploring the Sun Exploring Mercury and Venus Exploring Mars Failed Mars Missions Mars Missions in the Twenty-First Century Exploring the Outer Planets Exploring Asteroids and Comets Life in the Universe 297 Living in Space Life on Earth and on the Moon Life in Our Solar System Searching for Intelligent Life Exoplanets Life on Exoplanets

    What People are Saying About This

    From the Publisher

    "Written by Liu (astrophysics, CUNY, Staten Island), an award-winning writer on astronomy, the book delivers on the promises of "Your Smart Reference" on the topic. A logical addition to the publisher’s "Answer Book" series, this engaging and entertaining publication will appeal to students and adults alike."  —School Library Journal

    "Poses hundreds of heady questions about such matters as the Big Bang, sunspots, black holes, quarks, neutrinos and Carl Sagan. [A] handy reference . . . accessible writing and careful structure [convey] the pleasures of science and discovery."  —Kirkus Reviews

    "A valuable resource that can be used by both teachers and students as a reference or read from cover to cover."  —National Science Teachers Association

    "If you have questions about space or astronomy, this book will provide what you want to know."  —San Antonio Express-News

    "True to its title . . . all that and more. Amazingly brief entries cover enormous topics."  —Seattle Times

    "Concise reference explaining all manner of space topics."  —Dallas Morning News

    "Written in understandable language, but the answers are not over-simplified and provide sufficient detail for understanding the concept or feature described, making this book appropriate for readers for high school to college."  —American Reference Books Annual

    "The range of topics [this book] presents is vast and comprehensive, with many fascinating informational tidbits . . . Stimulating and useful, whether one dips through its pages haphazardly or reads it cover to cover."  —Book Review Digest

    From the B&N Reads Blog

    Customer Reviews