An Introduction to Galaxies and Cosmology

This full colour textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to galaxies and cosmological models, for undergraduates and amateur astronomers.

Mark H. Jones (Edited by), Robert J. A. Lambourne (Edited by), Stephen Serjeant (Edited by)

9781107492615, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 8 January 2015

450 pages, 85 b/w illus. 235 colour illus. 140 exercises
26.4 x 21 x 2.3 cm, 1.27 kg

'I wholeheartedly recommend this excellent book to anyone interested in a detailed introduction to galaxies and cosmology, from the Milky Way to the multiverse.' Phillip Helbig, The Observatory

This well-received textbook has been designed by a team of experts for introductory courses in astronomy and astrophysics. Starting with a detailed discussion of our Galaxy, the Milky Way, it goes on to give a general introduction to normal and active galaxies including models for their formation and evolution. The second part of the book provides an overview of cosmological models, discussing the Big Bang, dark energy and the expansion of the Universe. This second edition has been updated to reflect the latest developments and observations, while still probing the unresolved questions at the forefront of research. It contains numerous learning features such as boxed summaries, exercises with full solutions, a glossary and a supporting website hosting further teaching materials. Written in an accessible style that avoids complex mathematics, and illustrated in colour throughout, this text is suitable for self-study and will appeal to amateur astronomers as well as students.

Introduction
1. The Milky Way - our galaxy
2. Normal galaxies
3. Active galaxies
4. The spatial distribution of galaxies
5. Introducing cosmology - the science of the Universe
6. Big bang cosmology - the evolving Universe
7. Observational cosmology - measuring the Universe
8. Questioning cosmology - outstanding problems about the Universe
Answers and comments
Appendix
Glossary
Further reading
Acknowledgements
Figure references
Index.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB], Physics [PH], Cosmology & the universe [PGK], Mathematics & science [P]