Astronomy Today

by Chaisson, Eric; McMillan, Steve

• ISBN13: 9780131445963
• ISBN10: 0131445960
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-01-01
• Publisher: Benjamin Cummings

Summary

0136155502 Astronomy Today Vol 2, 6/e: Stars and Galaxies includes Part One on foundations (Chapters 1-5); Part Three on stars and stellar evolution (Chapters 16-22); and Part Four on galaxies and cosmology (Chapters 23-28). Vol 1 ISBN 0136155499 has to be purchased separatelyAstronomy Today Vol 1, 6/e: The Solar System covers Part One on foundations (Chapters 1-5); Part Two on the solar system (Chapters 6-15); the Sun chapter (Chapter 16); and the final chapter on life in the universe (Chapter 28).

Table of Contents

Preface	xiv
PART ONE Astronomy and the Universe	1	(139)
Charting the Heavens
The Foundations of Astronomy	2	(2)
Our Place in Space	4	(2)
Scientific Theory and the Scientific Method	6	(2)
The ``Obvious'' View	8	(5)
More Precisely 1-1 Angular Measure	11	(1)
More Precisely 1-2 Celestial Coordinates	12	(1)
Earth's Orbital Motion	13	(4)
Physlet® Illustration The Solar vs. Sidereal Day	13	(2)
Animation The Earth's Seasons	15	(2)
Astronomical Timekeeping	17	(2)
The Motion of the Moon	19	(6)
Physlet® Illustration Phase of the Moon	20	(2)
Physlet® Illustration Eclipses	22	(3)
The Measurement of Distance	25	(9)
Tutorial Stellar Parallax	27	(1)
More Precisely 1-3 Measuring Distances with Geometry	28	(1)
Physlet® Illustration Angular Measurements vs. Distance Measurements	28	(1)
Chapter Review	29	(3)
The Copernican Revolution
The Birth of Modern Science	32	(2)
Ancient Astronomy	34	(2)
The Geocentric Universe	36	(3)
The Heliocentric Model of the Solar System	39	(2)
Discovery 2-1 The Foundations of the Copernican Revolution	40	(1)
The Birth of Modern Astronomy	41	(3)
The Laws of Planetary Motion	44	(4)
More Precisely 2-1 Some Properties of Planetary Orbits	47	(1)
Physlet® Illustration Kepler's 3 Laws	48	(1)
The Dimensions of the Solar System	48	(2)
Newton's Laws	50	(12)
More Precisely 2-2 The Moon Is Falling!	53	(1)
Physlet® Illustration Universal Gravitation	54	(2)
Physlet® Illustration Escape Speed	56	(1)
More Precisely 2-3 Weighing the Sun	57	(1)
Chapter Review	57	(3)
Radiation
Information from the Cosmos	60	(2)
Information from the Skies	62	(3)
Physlet® Illustration Basic Wave Properties	64	(1)
Waves in What?	65	(4)
Physlet® Illustration Electromagnetic Waves	66	(2)
Discovery 3-1 The Wave Nature of Radiation	68	(1)
The Electromagnetic Spectrum	69	(2)
Thermal Radiation	71	(6)
More Precisely 3-1 The Kelvin Temperature Scale	72	(2)
Tutorial The Planck Spectrum	74	(2)
More Precisely 3-2 More about the Radiation Laws	76	(1)
Tutorial Continuous Spectra and Blackbody Radiation	76	(1)
The Doppler Effect	77	(7)
Physlet® Illustration Doppler Effect	79	(1)
Tutorial Doppler Effect	79	(1)
Chapter Review	79	(3)
Spectroscopy
The Inner Workings of Atoms	82	(2)
Spectral Lines	84	(4)
Tutorial Emission Spectra	85	(2)
Tutorial Absorption Spectra	87	(1)
The Formation of Spectral Lines	88	(8)
More Precisely 4-1 The Energy Levels of the Hydrogen Atom	90	(2)
Discovery 4-1 The Photoelectric Effect	92	(1)
Physlet® Illustration The Bohr Atom	93	(1)
Animation Classical Hydrogen Atom I/Classical Hydrogen Atom II	94	(2)
Molecules	96	(1)
Spectral-Line Analysis	97	(9)
Chapter Review	101	(3)
Telescopes
The Tools of Astronomy	104	(2)
Telescope Design	106	(5)
Physlet® Illustration Image Formation by a Lens	107	(1)
Tutorial The Optics of a Simple Lens/Chromatic Aberration	107	(1)
Physlet® Illustration Telescope Designs	108	(1)
Tutorial Reflecting Telescopes	108	(1)
Physlet® Illustration Image Formation in a Mirror	108	(3)
Images and Detectors	111	(5)
Discovery 5-1 The Hubble Space Telescope	114	(2)
Telescope Size	116	(3)
High-Resolution Astronomy	119	(4)
Radio Astronomy	123	(4)
Interferometry	127	(3)
Space-Based Astronomy	130	(6)
Animation Light and Data Paths	135	(1)
Full-Spectrum Coverage	136	(4)
Chapter Review	137	(3)
PART TWO Our Planetary System	140	(262)
The Solar System
An Introduction to Comparative Planetology	142	(2)
An Inventory of the Solar System	144	(2)
Planetary Properties	146	(2)
More Precisely 6-1 Computing Planetary Properties	147	(1)
The Overall Layout of the Solar System	148	(1)
Animation An Astronomical Ruler	148	(1)
Terrestrial and Jovian Planets	149	(2)
Animation Size and Scale of the Terrestrial Planets I/The Gas Giants	149	(1)
Physlet® Illustration The Mass of a Planet	150	(1)
Interplanetary Debris	151	(1)
Spacecraft Exploration of the Solar System	152	(8)
Discovery 6-1 Gravitational ``Slingshots''	158	(2)
How Did the Solar System Form?	160	(10)
Physlet® Illustration Gravitational Slingshot	159	(2)
Animation Beta Pictoris Warp	161	(1)
More Precisely 6-2 The Concept of Angular Momentum	162	(3)
Chapter Review	165	(3)
Earth
Our Home in Space	168	(2)
Overall Structure of Planet Earth	170	(1)
Earth's Atmosphere	170	(7)
Physlet® Illustration Atmospheric Lifetimes	172	(2)
More Precisely 7-1 Why Is the Sky Blue?	174	(1)
Tutorial The Greenhouse Effect	175	(1)
Discovery 7-1 The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming	176	(1)
Earth's Interior	177	(3)
Discovery 7-2 Earth's ``Rapidly'' Spinning Core	178	(2)
Surface Activity	180	(9)
More Precisely 7-2 Radioactive Dating	182	(7)
Earth's Magnetosphere	189	(3)
Physlet® Illustration Earth's Magnetic Field	189	(3)
The Tides	192	(8)
Chapter Review	194	(4)
The Moon and Mercury
Scorched and Battered Worlds	198	(2)
Orbital Properties	200	(2)
Physical Properties	202	(1)
Surface Features on the Moon and Mercury	203	(3)
Rotation Rates	206	(6)
Discovery 8-1 Lunar Exploration	208	(1)
Physlet® Illustration Rotation of Mercury	209	(1)
More Precisely 8-1 Why Air Sticks Around	210	(2)
Lunar Cratering and Surface Composition	212	(7)
Animation Meteor Energy	212	(6)
Discovery 8-2 The Moon on a Shoestring	218	(1)
The Surface of Mercury	219	(1)
Interiors	220	(2)
Animation Terrestrial Planets II	222	(1)
The Origin of the Moon	222	(2)
Evolutionary History of the Moon and Mercury	224	(6)
Chapter Review	225	(3)
Venus
Earth's Sister Planet	228	(2)
Orbital Properties	230	(1)
Physical Properties	230	(2)
Animation The Phases of Venus	231	(1)
Animation The Rotation of Venus	232	(1)
Long-Distance Observations of Venus	232	(3)
More Precisely 9-1 Synodic Periods and Solar Days	234	(1)
The Surface of Venus	235	(8)
Tutorial SuperSpaceship---Voyage to Venus	235	(8)
The Atmosphere of Venus	243	(3)
Tutorial The Greenhouse Effect	245	(1)
Venus's Magnetic Field and Internal Structure	246	(6)
Chapter Review	247	(3)
Mars
A Near Miss for Life?	250	(2)
Orbital Properties	252	(1)
Physical Properties	253	(1)
Long-Distance Observations of Mars	254	(1)
The Surface of Mars	255	(11)
Video Rotation of Mars	255	(1)
Video Mars Rotation and North Pole	256	(10)
The Martian Atmosphere	266	(4)
Discovery 10-1 Life on Mars?	268	(2)
Martian Internal Structure	270	(1)
The Moons of Mars	270	(6)
Chapter Review	271	(3)
Jupiter
Giant of the Solar System	274	(2)
Orbital and Physical Properties	276	(2)
The Atmosphere of Jupiter	278	(6)
Animation Galileo Mission to Jupiter	281	(3)
Internal Structure	284	(1)
Animation The Gas Giants Part II	284	(1)
Discovery 11-1 Almost a Star?	284	(1)
Jupiter's Magnetosphere	285	(2)
The Moons of Jupiter	287	(11)
Discovery 11-2 Jupiter's Many Moons	290	(2)
Animation Io Cutaway/Galileo Flyby of Io	292	(3)
Video Jupiter's Moon Europa	295	(1)
Video Jupiter's Moon Ganymede	296	(2)
Jupiter's Ring	298	(6)
Chapter Review	299	(3)
Saturn
Spectacular Rings and Mysterious Moons	302	(2)
Orbital and Physical Properties	304	(1)
Saturn's Atmosphere	305	(4)
Video Saturn Storm	306	(3)
Saturn's Interior and Magnetosphere	309	(1)
Saturn's Spectacular Ring System	310	(7)
Physlet® Illustration Roche Limit	312	(5)
The Moons of Saturn	317	(13)
Discovery 12-1 New Moons or Ring Debris at Saturn?	318	(7)
Chapter Review	325	(3)
Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto
The Outer Worlds of the Solar System	328	(2)
The Discovery of Uranus	330	(1)
The Discovery of Neptune	330	(2)
Physical Properties of Uranus and Neptune	332	(1)
The Atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune	333	(4)
Magnetospheres and Internal Structure	337	(1)
The Moon Systems of Uranus and Neptune	338	(6)
The Rings of the Outermost Jovian Planets	344	(3)
The Discovery of Pluto	347	(1)
Animation Orbits of Neptune and Pluto	348	(1)
Physical Properties of Pluto	348	(1)
Video Historical Observation of Pluto	349	(1)
Animation Mutual Eclipses of Charon and Pluto	349	(1)
The Origin of Pluto	349	(7)
Discovery 13-1 Surface Detail on Planet Pluto	351	(1)
Chapter Review	351	(3)
Solar System Debris
Keys to Our Origin	354	(2)
Asteroids	356	(7)
Discovery 14-1 What Killed the Dinosaurs?	362	(1)
Comets	363	(11)
Animation Comet Hale-Bopp Nucleus Animation	364	(1)
Animation Anatomy of a Comet Part I	365	(3)
Discovery 14-2 Comets Hyakutake and Hale-Bopp	368	(2)
Animation Anatomy of a Comet Part II	370	(2)
Discovery 14-3 A Cometary Impact	372	(2)
Meteoroids	374	(10)
Animation Asteroid Comet Breakup	375	(4)
Chapter Review	379	(3)
The Formation of Planetary Systems
The Solar System and Beyond	382	(2)
Modeling Planet Formation	384	(1)
Planets in the Solar System	385	(6)
Animation Solar System Formation	386	(4)
Discovery 15-1 The Angular Momentum Problem	390	(1)
Physlet® Illustration Conservation of Angular Momentum	390	(1)
Interplanetary Debris	391	(2)
The Role of Catastrophes	393	(1)
Planets beyond the Solar System	393	(4)
Is Our Solar System Unusual?	397	(5)
Chapter Review	399	(3)
PART THREE Stars and Stellar Evolution	402	(198)
The Sun
Our Parent Star	404	(2)
Physical Properties of the Sun	406	(2)
Tutorial SuperSpaceship---Voyage to the Sun	407	(1)
The Heart of the Sun	408	(4)
More Precisely 16-1 Fundamental Forces	412	(1)
The Solar Interior	412	(5)
Discovery 16-1 SOHO: Eavesdropping on the Sun	415	(1)
Physlet® Illustration Random Walk	416	(1)
The Solar Atmosphere	417	(4)
The Active Sun	421	(10)
Physlet® Illustration Rotation of Sunspots	422	(6)
Video May 12, 1997 Solar Flare Event	428	(1)
Animation Coronal Mass Ejection	428	(2)
Discovery 16-2 Solar-Terrestrial Relations	430	(1)
Observations of Solar Neutrinos	431	(7)
Chapter Review	433	(3)
Red Giants and White Dwarfs
A Field Guide to the Stars	436	(2)
The Solar Neighborhood	438	(4)
Discovery 17-1 Naming the Stars	441	(1)
Luminosity and Apparent Brightness	442	(4)
Animation The Inverse-Square Law	443	(2)
More Precisely 17-1 More on the Magnitude Scale	445	(1)
Physlet® Illustration Stars, Brightness, and the Magnitude Scale	445	(1)
Stellar Temperatures	446	(3)
Physlet® Illustration Blackbody Spectrum and Stellar Temperatures	447	(2)
Stellar Sizes	449	(3)
More Precisely 17-2 Estimating Stellar Radii	451	(1)
The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram	452	(3)
Tutorial Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram	453	(1)
Discovery 17-2 The Hipparcos Mission	454	(1)
Extending the Cosmic Distance Scale	455	(3)
Stellar Masses	458	(2)
Tutorial Binary Stars-Radial Velocity Curves	458	(1)
Tutorial Eclipsing Binary Stars-Light Curves	459	(1)
Mass and Other Stellar Properties	460	(8)
Chapter Review	463	(3)
The Interstellar Medium
Gas and Dust among the Stars	466	(2)
Interstellar Matter	468	(3)
Emission Nebulae	471	(7)
Video Gaseous Pillars of Star Birth	474	(1)
Animation M16 The Eagle Nebula	474	(3)
Video Orion Nebula Mosaic	477	(1)
Dark Dust Clouds	478	(3)
Discovery 18-1 Ultraviolet Astronomy and the ``Local Bubble''	479	(2)
21-Centimeter Radiation	481	(2)
Physlet® Illustration 21-cm Radiation	482	(1)
Interstellar Molecules	483	(7)
Chapter Review	485	(3)
Star Formation
A Traumatic Birth	488	(2)
Star-Forming Regions	490	(2)
The Formation of Stars Like the Sun	492	(5)
Animation Evolution of a 1-Solar Mass Star	495	(2)
Stars of Other Masses	497	(2)
Discovery 19-1 Observations of Brown Dwarfs	498	(1)
Observations of Cloud Fragments and Protostars	499	(5)
Animation Bi-Polar Outflow	503	(1)
Shock Waves and Star Formation	504	(1)
Star Clusters	505	(11)
Discovery 19-2 Eta Carinae	510	(1)
Chapter Review	511	(3)
Stellar Evolution
The Life and Death of a Star	514	(2)
Leaving the Main Sequence	516	(2)
Evolution of a Sun-like Star	518	(5)
More Precisely 20-1 The CNO Cycle	518	(5)
The Death of a Low-Mass Star	523	(7)
Animation Death of the Sun Part 1/Death of the Sun Part 2	524	(2)
Video Helix Nebula Animation	526	(1)
Animation Bi-Polar Planetary Nebula/H-R Diagram Tracks Stellar Evolution	527	(3)
Evolution of Stars More Massive than the Sun	530	(3)
Discovery 20-1 Learning Astronomy from History	530	(2)
Discovery 20-2 Mass Loss from Giant Stars	532	(1)
Observing Stellar Evolution in Star Clusters	533	(3)
The Evolution of Binary-Star Systems	536	(8)
Chapter Review	539	(3)
Stellar Explosions
Novae, Supernovae, and the Formation of the Elements	542	(2)
Life after Death for White Dwarfs	544	(2)
Animation Recurrent Nova	545	(1)
The End of a High-Mass Star	546	(2)
Physlet® Illustration Supernova	548	(1)
Supernovae	548	(7)
Discovery 21-1 Supernova 1987A	550	(1)
Animation Shockwaves Hit the Ring Around Supernova 1987A/Composition and Structure of the Ring Around SuperNova 1987A	551	(1)
Animation Supernova Explosion	552	(2)
Discovery 21-2 The Crab Nebula in Motion	554	(1)
The Formation of the Elements	555	(6)
The Cycle of Stellar Evolution	561	(7)
Chapter Review	562	(4)
Neutron Stars and Black Holes
Strange States of Matter	566	(2)
Neutron Stars	568	(1)
Pulsars	569	(4)
Physlet® Illustration Period of a Pulsar	571	(2)
Neutron-Star Binaries	573	(3)
Gamma-Ray Bursts	576	(4)
Black Holes	580	(1)
Einstein's Theories of Relativity	581	(5)
Tutorial Escape Speed and Black Hole Event Horizons	581	(2)
Physlet® Illustration Equivalence of Gravitational Field and Acceleration	583	(1)
Tutorial SuperSpaceship-Voyage to the Sun	583	(1)
More Precisely 22-1 Special Relativity	584	(2)
Space Travel Near Black Holes	586	(4)
More Precisely 22-2 Tests of General Relativity	590	(1)
Observational Evidence for Black Holes	590	(10)
Discovery 22-1 Gravity Waves: A New Window on the Universe	592	(2)
Animation Black Hole Geometry	594	(3)
Chapter Review	597	(3)
PART FOUR Galaxies and Cosmology	600	(2)
The Milky Way Galaxy
A Spiral in Space	602	(2)
Our Parent Galaxy	604	(2)
Measuring the Milky Way	606	(6)
Animation Cepheid Star in Distant Galaxy	608	(2)
Discovery 23-1 Early Computers	610	(2)
Galactic Structure	612	(4)
The Formation of the Milky Way	616	(1)
Galactic Spiral Arms	617	(5)
Discovery 23-2 Density Waves	620	(2)
The Mass of the Milky Way Galaxy	622	(3)
Physlet® Illustration The Mass of a Galaxy	622	(2)
Tutorial Gravitational Lensing	624	(1)
The Galactic Center	625	(9)
Chapter Review	629	(3)
Normal and Active Galaxies
Building Blocks of the Universe	632	(2)
Hubble's Galaxy Classification	634	(7)
The Distribution of Galaxies in Space	641	(3)
Hubble's Law	644	(4)
Animation Cluster Merger	645	(2)
Physlet® Illustration Galaxy Redshifts and Hubble's Law	647	(1)
Active Galactic Nuclei	648	(10)
More Precisely 24-1 Relativistic Redshifts and Look-Back Time	650	(7)
Animation Birth of a Quasar	657	(1)
Animation Active Galaxy	658	(1)
The Central Engine of an Active Galaxy	658	(10)
Animation Cosmic Jets	659	(1)
Animation Black Hole in Galaxy M87	660	(1)
Animation Supermassive Black Hole	661	(1)
Chapter Review	662	(4)
Galaxies and Dark Matter
The Large-Scale Structure of the Cosmos	666	(2)
Dark Matter in the Universe	668	(4)
Animation Dark Matter	670	(2)
Galaxy Collisions	672	(2)
Animation Collision of Two Spiral Galaxies	672	(2)
Galaxy Formation and Evolution	674	(4)
Animation Hubble Deep Field Zoom Sequence	675	(1)
Animation Starburst Galaxy	676	(2)
Black Holes and Active Galaxies	678	(4)
Physlet® Illustration Active Galactic Nuclei	679	(3)
The Universe on Large Scales	682	(12)
Discovery 25-1 The Sloan Digital Sky Survey	684	(4)
Animation Gravitational Lensing	688	(1)
Chapter Review	689	(3)
Cosmology
The Big Bang and the Fate of the Universe	692	(2)
The Universe on the Largest Scales	694	(2)
Animation Cosmic Structure	694	(2)
The Expanding Universe	696	(5)
Discovery 26-1 Stunning Views of Deep Space	698	(1)
Animation Big Bang	699	(2)
The Fate of the Cosmos	701	(2)
The Geometry of Space	703	(3)
More Precisely 26-1 Curved Space	705	(1)
Will the Universe Expand Forever?	706	(2)
Dark Energy and Cosmology	708	(3)
Discovery 26-2 Einstein and the Cosmological Constant	709	(2)
The Cosmic Microwave Background	711	(7)
Physlet® Illustration Temperature	711	(2)
Chapter Review	713	(3)
The Early Universe
Toward the Beginning of Time	716	(2)
Back to the Big Bang	718	(3)
The Evolution of the Universe	721	(5)
More Precisely 27-1 More on Fundamental Forces	724	(2)
The Formation of Nuclei and Atoms	726	(3)
The Inflationary Universe	729	(5)
The Formation of Structure in the Universe	734	(10)
Chapter Review	738	(4)
Life in the Universe
Are We Alone?	742	(2)
Cosmic Evolution	744	(5)
Discovery 28-1 The Virus	745	(4)
Life in the Solar System	749	(2)
Intelligent Life in the Galaxy	751	(4)
Physlet® Illustration Are We Alone?	751	(4)
The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence	755	(4)
Chapter Review	759
Appendices	1	(1)
Appendix 1: Scientific Notation	1	(1)
Appendix 2: Astronomical Measurement	2	(1)
Appendix 3: Tables	3
Glossary	1	(1)
Answers to Concept Check Questions	1	(4)
Answers to Self-Test Questions	5
Index	1	(1)
Star Charts	1

Excerpts

Astronomy is a science that thrives on new discoveries. Fueled by new technologies and novel theoretical insights, the study of the cosmos continues to change our understanding of the universe. We are pleased to have the opportunity to present in this book a representative sample of the known facts, evolving ideas, and frontier discoveries in astronomy today. Astronomy Todayhas been written for students who have taken no previous college science courses and who will likely not major in physics or astronomy. It is intended for use in a one- or two-semester, non-technical astronomy course. We present a broad view of astronomy, straightforwardly descriptive and without complex mathematics. The absence of sophisticated mathematics, however, in no way prevents discussion of important concepts. Rather, we rely on qualitative reasoning as well as analogies with objects and phenomena familiar to the student to explain the complexities of the subject without oversimplification. We have tried to communicate the excitement we feel about astronomy and to awaken students to the marvelous universe around us. Many of you--teachers and students alike--have given us helpful feedback and constructive criticism on earlier editions. From these, we have learned to communicate better both the fundamentals and the excitement of astronomy. Many improvements inspired by your comments have been incorporated into this new edition. Focus of the Fifth Edition From the first edition, we have tried to meet the challenge of writing a book that is both accurate and approachable. To the student, astronomy sometimes seems like a long list of unfamiliar terms to be memorized and repeated. You will indeed be introduced to many new terms and concepts in this course, but we hope you will also learn and remember how science is done, how the universe works, and how things are connected. In the fifth edition, we have taken particular care to try to show how astronomers know what they know, and to highlight both the scientific principles underlying their work and the process used in discovery. New and Revised Material Astronomy is a rapidly evolving field, and the three years since the publication of the fourth edition ofAstronomy Todayhave seen many new discoveries covering the entire spectrum of astronomical research. Almost every chapter in the fifth edition has been substantially updated with new information. Several chapters have also seen significant internal reorganization in order to streamline the overall presentation, strengthen our focus on the process of science, and reflect new understanding and emphases in contemporary astronomy. Among the many changes are: Expanded coverage throughout of the scientific method and how astronomers "know what they know." New part-opening essays to establish historical context for each section of the text. Updated material in Chapter 5 on adaptive optics, Keck, Subaru, Gemini, and the VLT; additional material on infrared and optical interferometry; new coverage of theChandraandSpitzermissions. An introduction to solar-system formation in Chapter 6, to better frame the discussion of planetary properties that follows. New material in Chapter 7 on the Ozone Hole and Global Warming. Expanded coverage in Chapters 6 and 10 of the most recent missions to Mars. Updates in Chapter 10 on Martian oppositions, gullies, oceans, and ice. Final update on theGalileo/GEMmission in Chapter 11. Coverage ofStardust,new Kuiper belt objects, and Pluto's status as a planet in Chapter 14. Updated discussion of solar system formation in Chapter 15; expanded coverage of competing theories, planet migration, planetesimal ejection, plutinos, and the angular momentum problem. New sections in Chapter 15 on extrasolar planets, with updated material on the latest obse