Product Description

Astronomy is an ancient science on the cutting edge. Although it's been around for over 5,500 years, astronomers say that we have learned more than 90 percent of what we know in only the last 50 years--a disproportionate amount in just the past decade. Each new year seems to yield more information than the last, not to mention advances in the technology for acquiring it.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #870639 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-06
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 456 pages

From the Back Cover

The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to Astronomy, 2E is the most comprehensive astronomy book for beginners, covering: the history of space exploration, our solar system, galaxy, and beyond, tools of the trade-including equipment available for amateurs, and exciting, controversial topics such as the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and the Big Bang theory.

About the Author

Christopher De Pree, Ph.D. is an assistant professor at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, where he teaches physics and astronomy. Professor De Pree is director of Bradley Observatory and author of numerous articles on the topic of massive star formation. He is co-author of Recent Advances and Issues in Astronomy.

Alan Axelrod, Ph.D. is the author of more than 20 books. A resident of Atlanta, Georgia, he holds a Ph.D. in American Literature and Culture from the University of Iowa.

Customer Reviews

What a great intro to a spectacular science!!!!!
I am a 13-year-old who has been interested in the astronomical sciences for many years. I've read many books on astronomy and cosmology, but the Complete Idiot's Guide to Astronomy is the best I've read for quick facts, and not just a bunch of words jumbled up that makes absolutely no sense at all. This book discusses many great things. Such as:

~discussions elaborating on important events, projects, isasues, or people in astronomy

~definitions of key terms used in astronomy

~startling astronomical facts and amazing trivia

~highlights important statistics, scientific laws and principles, measurements, and mathmatical formulas.

And all of that information just comes out of small boxes on the sides of the pages!!! So you can just imagine how much other information comes out of the actual text of the book!!!

Great read for anyone iterested in astronomy or interested in becoming part of this amazing and ancient form of science as a profession..like me!!!

A logical, clear, entertaining introduction to astronomy.
Astronomy is more than just peering through a telescope, and, fortunately for both new and veteran stargazers, Alpha Books has published "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Astronomy." CIGA introduces the complex and potentially intimidating science and hobby with logic, clarity, and humor.

Authors DePree and Axelrod survey astronomy in six user-friendly sections describing: our place in space; telescopes and observing; our solar system; stars; galaxies; and, the universe. While other astronomy books touch on telescopes in passing, CIGA offers an instructive chapter devoted to the various types of telescopes and their pros and cons.

Very useful features include numerous boxes that define space jargon (Star Words), provide useful and entertaining facts (Astro Bytes, Astronomer's Notebook, and Close Encounters), and summarize the crucial chapter points (The Least You Need to Know).

My only regret is that The Complete Idiot's Guide to Astronomy was not yet produced when I first become interested in sky watching.