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"The book is beautifully produced and illustrated, and notable for the care that has gone into the choice of appropriate and unusual illustrations. Recommended." (SSR, December 2009)
"This is an up–to–date, well–written, first–year undergraduate textbook ... .Many people will enjoy reading it." (The Observatory Magazine, August 2009)
"A very well thought–out book that lucidly covers a comprehensive range of topics in an attractive format ... .Bang up–to–date, and all cut up into convenient, self–contained sections that can be read in a dip–in, dip–out sort of way." (Astronomy Now, January 2009)
Product Description
Introduction to Astronomy & Cosmology is a modern undergraduate textbook, combining both the theory behind astronomy with the very latest developments. Written for science students, this book takes a carefully developed scientific approach to this dynamic subject. Every major concept is accompanied by a worked example with end of chapter problems to improve understanding
- Includes coverage of the very latest developments such as double pulsars and the dark galaxy.
- Beautifully illustrated in full colour throughout
- Supplementary web site with many additional full colour images, content, and latest developments.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There's a lot to understand about modern astronomy, and this handily-sized book has a good go at covering pretty much all of it in just 341 pages! It's not the first to embark on a complete introduction to astronomy and cosmology, but it's certainly one of the better offerings.
Morison's text, which originally formed a series of lectures, is printed on superb-quality paper, successfully supplemented with a rich picking of glossy photographs that provide added interest and explanation.
Occasionally sounding a little dry, the text generally runs smoothly, is bang up-to-date, and all cut up into convenient, self-contained sections that can be read in a dip-in, dip-out sort of way. Morison deals with everything from the Big Bang and dark energy, to the different designs of telescope. There are a few bloopers, though; the author claims the Sun would burn for about 1000 years were it made of coal; it's actually more like 5000 years. He then wags a finger at people who use the term 'The Theory of General Relativity', as we should be using 'The General Theory of Relativity'. Amusingly, on the very next page, he uses the wrong version!
What I felt Morison isn't so good at is making the maths, which makes regular and appropriate appearances in the text, as easy to understand as it could be. This is an introductory text, and I did think a gentler leading of hand into the equations might help many readers. Some of the explanatory diagrams are also a bit on the vague side. The diagram of the Sun's proton-proton nuclear reactions, for example, were difficult to grasp, even though I've studied them previously! On the plus side, he has a technicolor Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to be proud of!
Inevitably, a book like this has to end up being compared with what I think are the very best of introductory texts, the Open University's Astronomy & Planetary Science course books. Other than falling a bit flat on the maths explanations, I think there's very little on which to mark Morison down, so he's a close second to the OU; quite an achievement!
Overall, a very well thought-out book that lucidly covers a comprehensive range of topics in an attractive format. It does mean that nothing is covered in great detail, but that's a reasonable trade-off. It's not a cheap book, but if you want to understand astronomy at more than a hobby level, or you're a student of astronomy, then it's certainly worth digging that bit deeper into your pockets for.
This review also appears in Astronomy Now magazine.
(C) John Rowlands 2009.
Morison's text, which originally formed a series of lectures, is printed on superb-quality paper, successfully supplemented with a rich picking of glossy photographs that provide added interest and explanation.
Occasionally sounding a little dry, the text generally runs smoothly, is bang up-to-date, and all cut up into convenient, self-contained sections that can be read in a dip-in, dip-out sort of way. Morison deals with everything from the Big Bang and dark energy, to the different designs of telescope. There are a few bloopers, though; the author claims the Sun would burn for about 1000 years were it made of coal; it's actually more like 5000 years. He then wags a finger at people who use the term 'The Theory of General Relativity', as we should be using 'The General Theory of Relativity'. Amusingly, on the very next page, he uses the wrong version!
What I felt Morison isn't so good at is making the maths, which makes regular and appropriate appearances in the text, as easy to understand as it could be. This is an introductory text, and I did think a gentler leading of hand into the equations might help many readers. Some of the explanatory diagrams are also a bit on the vague side. The diagram of the Sun's proton-proton nuclear reactions, for example, were difficult to grasp, even though I've studied them previously! On the plus side, he has a technicolor Hertzsprung-Russell diagram to be proud of!
Inevitably, a book like this has to end up being compared with what I think are the very best of introductory texts, the Open University's Astronomy & Planetary Science course books. Other than falling a bit flat on the maths explanations, I think there's very little on which to mark Morison down, so he's a close second to the OU; quite an achievement!
Overall, a very well thought-out book that lucidly covers a comprehensive range of topics in an attractive format. It does mean that nothing is covered in great detail, but that's a reasonable trade-off. It's not a cheap book, but if you want to understand astronomy at more than a hobby level, or you're a student of astronomy, then it's certainly worth digging that bit deeper into your pockets for.
This review also appears in Astronomy Now magazine.
(C) John Rowlands 2009.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A FANTASTIC introductory text - perfect for first year undergraduates, especially those who do not come from a 'hard' science background. The subject is broken down into manageable chunks and each topic is explained clearly and concisely. The book is littered with colorful illustrations that are likely to be familiar to many students from their own lecturers' presentations.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this text to undergraduates and amateur astronomers with a keen interest in the subject.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this text to undergraduates and amateur astronomers with a keen interest in the subject.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An excellent and well structured book covering all aspects of Astronomy and Cosmology. Well written and well presented with some excellent diagrams and some of the clearest explanations of the life-cycle of stars I have been able to find anywhere. The lack of maths will appeal to some but not to others but whatever 'maths camp' you fit in this will be a useful reference guide and explanatory text.
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