Product Description

Compiled by a team of experts, this textbook has been designed for elementary university courses in astronomy and astrophysics. It starts with a detailed discussion of our nearest star, the Sun, and describes how solar physicists have come to understand its internal workings. It then considers how astronomers go about studying the basic physical properties and life-cycles of more distant stars, and culminates with a discussion of the formation of exotic objects such as neutron stars and black holes. Written in an accessible style that avoids complex mathematics, and illustrated in colour throughout, this book is suitable for self-study and will appeal to amateur astronomers as well as undergraduate students. It contains numerous helpful learning features such as boxed summaries, student exercises with full solutions, and a glossary of terms. The book is also supported by a website hosting further teaching materials.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #318955 in Books
• Published on: 2004-02-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 380 pages

Review
‘This up-to-the-minute treatment of the universe of stars is the most enjoyable and informative book at this level that I have read. It combines clear physical arguments with excellent illustrations and diagrams, and keen readers can enhance their depth of understanding through the copious worked examples. Spread throughout, the ‘biography boxes’ give a refreshing human perspective to the science. Good for coffee table or lecture course!’ Professor Peter Brand, University of Edinburgh

Customer Reviews

A real star
I received this textbook and its partner "An Introduction to Galaxies and Cosmology" as part of the UK Open University's excellent distance-learning course (code S282) on astronomy and cosmology. Both books are among the best texbooks of any kind that I have ever encountered. As an all-too-"mature" student trying to study physical science at home, I found these texts fascinating, engaging, very well-designed, with plenty of questions to test/extend my understanding. "ISS" takes you through every stage in a star's life, from the first cloud of molecules condensing in interstellar space to the white dwarf, neutron star or black hole of its ultimate destiny. You will find out how our own star works, how we know how it works, and the astonishing things we have learned about other stars. If you're studying astronomy and don't know this stuff already, I can't think of a better way to learn it. If you're just curious why the stars shine and where the atoms in your body come from, this book will explain it all, from sunspots to supernovae.

Exceptional service
Book condition precisely as defined by the seller and delivered within two days - really exceptional.