The Cosmic Perspective

by Bennett, Jeffrey O.

• ISBN13: 9780805380446
• ISBN10: 0805380442
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-07-01
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley

Summary

In this accessible, student-friendly text, astronomy is treated as a fundamental human endeavor rather than an enterprise reserved for professionals. The authors engage readers' curiosity through cutting-edge material that focuses on the themes of human achievement, physics in the universe, continuity of matter, the dynamic systems that sustain life, and astronomy and physics as foundations for our world view. Text discussions are complemented by a distinctive art program, with figures not seen before in astronomy texts. A rich website includes resources and coverage of current events.

Table of Contents

PART I DEVELOPING PERSPECTIVE
Our Place in the Universe	1	(38)
Discovering the Universe for Yourself	39	(52)
Celestial Timekeeping and Navigation	65	(26)
PART II KEY CONCEPTS FOR ASTRONOMY
The Science of Astronomy	91	(20)
A Universe of Matter and Energy	111	(14)
Universal Motion: From Copernicus to Newton	125	(28)
Light: The Cosmic Messenger	153	(18)
Telescopes and Spacecraft	171	(26)
PART III LEARNING FROM OTHER WORLDS
Formation of the Solar System	197	(28)
Planetary Geology: Earth and the Other Terrestrial Worlds	225	(34)
Planetary Atmospheres: Earth and the Other Terrestrial Worlds	259	(28)
Jovian Planet Systems	287	(36)
Remnants of Rock and Ice: Asteroids, Comets, and Pluto	323	(28)
Planet Earth and Its Lessons on Life in the Universe	351	(98)
PART IV A DEEPER LOOK AT NATURE
Space and Time	383	(22)
Spacetime and Gravity	405	(24)
Building Blocks of the Universe	429	(20)
PART V STELLAR ALCHEMY
Our Star	449	(22)
Stars	471	(22)
Star Stuff	493	(26)
The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard	519	(22)
PART VI GALAXIES AND BEYOND
Our Galaxy	541	(26)
Galaxies: From Here to the Horizon	567	(22)
Galaxy Evolution	589	(24)
Dark Matter and the Fate of the Universe	613	(20)
The Beginning of Time	633
Interstellar Travel and the Search for Extraterrestrial Civilizations	655
APPENDIXES
Appendix A Useful Numbers	A-2
Appendix B Useful Formulas	A-3
Appendix C A Few Mathematical Skills	A-4
Appendix D The Periodic Table of the Elements	A-13
Appendix E Planetary Data	A-15
Appendix F Stellar Data	A-18
Appendix G Galaxy Data	A-20
Appendix H Selected Astronomical Web Sites	A-23
Appendix I The 88 Constellations	A-26
Appendix J Star Charts	A-29
Glossary	G-1
Acknowledgments	C-1
Index	I-1