Fundamental Astronomy

by Hannu Karttunen (Editor), Pekka Krïger (Editor), Heikki Oja (Editor), Markku Poutanen (Editor), Karl Johan Donner (Editor)

Overview

Fundamental Astronomy is a well-balanced, comprehensive introduction to classical and modern astronomy. While emphasizing both the astronomical concepts and the underlying physical principles, the text provides a sound basis for more profound studies in the astronomical sciences. This is the fifth edition of the successful undergraduate textbook and reference work. It has been extensively modernized and extended in the parts dealing with extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. You will also find augmented sections on the solar system and extrasolar planets as well as a new chapter on astrobiology. Long considered a standard text for physical science majors, Fundamental Astronomy is also an excellent reference work for dedicated amateur astronomers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783662571033
Publisher:	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publication date:	07/06/2018
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 6th ed. 2017
Pages:	550
Product dimensions:	7.01(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Hannu Karttunen is a Finnish astronomer and science writer. He is an associate professor at Turku University and works at Tuorla Observatory. Besides astronomical articles Dr. Karttunen has published astronomy textbooks and teaching material as well as articles for anthologies and encyclopedias. Karttunen has also produced a radio lecture series on astronomy. Hannu Karttunen received the 1998 Tieto-Finlandia Award for his book Oldest science: Astronomy Stone Age to the mission to the moon, and, in2007, the Finnish News Writers Association Tietopöllö Award for his writings and books for children and young people.

Heikki Oja is a Finnish astronomer and associate professor at the University of Helsinki, as well as the former director of the Almanac Office. Dr. Oja has written dozens of non-technical non-fiction books and appeared frequently on the radio to talk about astronomy and space research. He has received several awards for his outreach activities.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction.- 2. Spherical Astronomy.- 3. Observations and Instruments.- 4. Photometric Concepts and Magnitudes.- 5. Radiation Mechanisms.- 6. Celestial Mechanics.- 7. The Solar System Part I.- 8. The Solar System Part II.- 9. Stellar Spectra.- 10. Binary Stars and Stellar Masses.- 11.

Editorial Reviews

The editors assert that Fundamental Astronomy is intended as ‘a university textbook for a first course in astronomy,’ but it will more likely be used as a reference volume in departmental and observatory libraries. The contributing authors (astronomers and geodesists) employ mathematics, especially calculus, extensively throughout the work. … The text covers all planetary science, astrophysics, and cosmology. … Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above; faculty and professionals.” (S. P. Maran, Choice, Vol. 57 (11), July, 2017)

“The overall choice of topics and the depth and breadth that this book … are essential for a great understanding of astronomy. I feel like it is as good a book as far as the basics of theory and observational astrophysics are concerned. Everything is explained clearly and where possible there are helpful diagrams, figures and photos that are there exactly when you need them. … Something that I also enjoyed a lot, was the extensive set of tables.” (AstroMadness.com, May, 2017)

From the Publisher