Adventures in Earth Science Beyond Planet Earth: An Introduction to Astronomy

by Peter T Scott, Peter T Scott (Illustrator), Peter T Scott (Photographer)

Overview

About Beyond Planet Earth

This is the eighth book in the series Adventures in Earth Science and deals with the science of astronomy. The book takes an historical approach detailing observations made throughout early history by many cultures and eventually by those in Europe after the renaissance. From naked eye astronomy of the early astronomers, the book looks at the invention of optical and later radio telescopes and provides some detail of the construction and science behind the former type.

The desire of humankind to get off the surface of the planet and explore other worlds is also discussed, both from the point of view of science fiction literature as well as the scientific reality. Beginning with early experiments in rocketry, the various achievements of many of the space programs of the last sixty years are outlined.

The information provided by Earth-based observation and these space programs is given for the objects within our Solar System and also for deep space objects and the text is lavishly illustrated with photographs, illustrations and charts as well as two online video links.

The Helpful Hints section at the back of the book is a useful guide to the amateur astronomer who wishes to go beyond planet Earth.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780994643346
Publisher:	Felix Publishing
Publication date:	03/01/2017
Series:	Adventures in Earth Science , #8
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.83(w) x 8.27(h) x 0.57(d)

About the Author

About the Author Dr. Peter Scott is an award-winning teacher of Earth Science of over forty years' experience in both secondary and tertiary education. he has served on numerous committees in both education and science in several Australian states and was head of the syllabus committee in Earth Science for the State of Queensland. He established science teaching method programs at the University of New England (Australia), lecturing in this program and was an active member of several scientific societies. He holds a Bachelors' Degree, two Masters' Degrees and a Doctorate through extensive field work and research. A keen amateur Astronomer, he also taught this subject in Secondary schools and was director of his school's observatory.

About the Author Dr. Peter Scott is an award-winning teacher of Earth Science of over forty years' experience in both secondary and tertiary education. he has served on numerous committees in both education and science in several Australian states and was head of the syllabus committee in Earth Science for the State of Queensland. He established science teaching method programs at the University of New England (Australia), lecturing in this program and was an active member of several scientific societies. He holds a Bachelors' Degree, two Masters' Degrees and a Doctorate through extensive field work and research. A keen amateur Astronomer, he also taught this subject in Secondary schools and was director of his school's observatory.

About the Author Dr. Peter Scott is an award-winning teacher of Earth Science of over forty years' experience in both secondary and tertiary education. he has served on numerous committees in both education and science in several Australian states and was head of the syllabus committee in Earth Science for the State of Queensland. He established science teaching method programs at the University of New England (Australia), lecturing in this program and was an active member of several scientific societies. He holds a Bachelors' Degree, two Masters' Degrees and a Doctorate through extensive field work and research. A keen amateur Astronomer, he also taught this subject in Secondary schools and was director of his school's observatory.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: PLANET EARTH 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Planet Earth 1
1.3 The Formation of the Earth and Other Planets 5
1.4 The Seasons 8
1.5 The Tides 11

CHAPTER 2: THE MOON 14
2.1 The Moon - Satellite of Earth 14
2.2 Phases of the Moon 17
2.3 Eclipses of the Moon 19
2.4 Formation of the Moon 23
2.5 The Surface of the Moon 26
2.6 The Interior of the Moon 33
2.7 From the Earth to the Moon - The Dream 35
2.8 From the Earth to the Moon - The Reality 46
2.9 The Apollo Mission to the Moon 54

CHAPTER 3: A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE 66
3.1 Introduction - Different Viewpoints 66
3.2 New Discoveries and Ideas 66

CHAPTER 4: MORE ON TELESCOPES 82
4.1 Newton's Optics 82
4.2 Types of Telescopes 85

CHAPTER 5: MORE OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM 100
5.1 Introduction - Perspective and Location 100
5.2 The Sun 105
5.3 The Major Planets 117
5.4 Mercury 122
5.5 Venus 126
5.6 Mars 131
5.7 A Big Gap 143
5.8 Jupiter 148
5.9 Saturn 157
5.10 Uranus 161
5.11 Neptune 167
5.12 The Minor Planets 172
5.13 Meteors and Meteorites 179
5.14 Comets 181

CHAPTER 6: BEYOND TO THE STARS 184
6.1 Introduction - Nature and Grouping 184
6.2 Locating Stars 186
6.3 Constellations 188
6.4 Some Common Constellations 194
6.5 Other Constellations 203
6.6 Brightness of Stars 204
6.7 Colours and Classification 212
6.8 The Life-Cycle of Stars 218
6.9 Quasars 221
6.10 More about Galaxies 223
6.11 The Universe and Cosmology 225
6.12 SETI - The Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence 231

Summary 236
Practical Tips 242
Multichoice Questions 244
Review and Discussion Questions 249
Answers to Multichoice Questions 251
Reading List 252
Key terms Index 257