A Question and Answer Guide to Astronomy

This book gives simple yet rigorous answers to hundreds of astronomical questions, for anyone who has ever wondered about the cosmos.

Carol Christian (Author), Jean-René Roy (Author)

9781316615263, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 23 March 2017

358 pages, 543 b/w illus.
24.8 x 17.5 x 1.8 cm, 0.73 kg

'This book does what it says on the tin. It consists of 244 questions and answers in eight sections … followed by a useful table of unit conversion and basic physical and astronomical measurements, references, an excellent bibliography and a good index. … There are some witty and entertaining comments … The authors really do seem to have thought of every question an intelligent enquirer might ask, and the book is far more comprehensive than I can possibly do justice to here. As well as concrete matters, there is also discussion of wider topics such as the anthropic principle. The point is made that astronomy is the only science to which amateurs can make significant contributions, and excellent and comprehensive advice is given on how to get involved.' Ray Ward, Reference Reviews

Are we alone in the Universe? Was there anything before the Big Bang? Are there other universes? What makes stars shine? Where does Earth's water come from? Why is the night sky dark? Was there ever life on Mars? How do telescopes work? This engaging guide book answers all these questions and hundreds more, making it a practical reference for anyone who has ever wondered what is out in the cosmos, where it all comes from, and how it all works. Richly illustrated in color throughout, it gives simple yet rigorous explanations in non-technical language, summarizing current astronomical knowledge, without overlooking the important underlying scientific principles. This second edition includes substantial new material throughout, including the latest findings from the New Horizons, Rosetta, and Dawn space missions, and images from professional telescopes such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array.

Preface
1. The sky viewed from Earth
2. The Earth and Moon system
3. The Solar System
4. Stars and stellar systems
5. Galaxies and the Universe
6. Life in the Universe
7. Amateur astronomy
8. Telescopes and instruments
Unit conversion and basic physical and astronomical measurements
References
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Astronomy, space & time [PG]