What books do you recommend for an introduction to. Shu has written a number of expository articles for the lay public, and is the author of the physics of astrophysics, volumes i and ii. This thought provoking introduction is explained in language easily understood and sets the foundation for getting beginners excited about astronomy. As its titled, it gives a great introduction to astronomy and astrophysics. It serves as a great intro point for earth, the moon and sun, our solar system, and other objects in space. Best astronomy and astrophysics books to read in 2019 space. A practical guide to viewing the universe is by far the bestselling introductory book on astronomy of all time. Its geared towards amateurs, with some focus on stargazing.
A fully detailed book good for the need to learn peeps. Find introductory astronomy textbooks at up to 90% off. Best astronomy books for beginners telescope observer. Covers all areas of astronmomy and is written in an easy to follow manner. For those interested in an astronomy book that provides a more general overview, its good to keep in mind your prior knowledge. Introduction to astronomy by cecilia paynegaposchkin. Good illustrations and diagrams to explain concepts.
Frank shu is a professor of astronomy at the university of california, berkeley. Looking at the stars is a good way to provoke a primal reaction. The 100 best astronomy books recommended by edip yuksel, jamie mckelvie. Our recentlyread books in all categories can be found at best space. He is really crazy focused on not glossing over sticky details that make most textbook authors get sloppy. The best astronomy books for beginners offer a solid and informative introduction to the fascinating world of astronomy. An introduction to modern stellar astrophysics, by bradley w. What is a good introductory text to astronomy physics stack. Lots of interactive diagrams to further explain concepts. Nightwatch is the perfect introduction to astronomy and stargazing. Inspired by the enormously popular introductory astronomy course that neil. Cosmos by carl sagan, a brief history of time by stephen hawking, atlas of the universe by patrick moore, intro.
So if you want to learn about space with a telescope in tow, this one might be for you. The universe through the eyes of an astronomer or astrophysicist is a fascinating place and a good book can give you a glimpse of that world without requiring years of study. It does require some basic chemistry, calculus, and physics to understand, but there are some excellent appendices to use to brush up your skill. But if your purpose is having a more comprehensive reference, suitable for selecting only the topics you need, here is a combination of two excellent books. It is enriched with both the theoretical and mathematical aspects that you seem to ask for. What is a good and easy to read introductory text for an adult with limited basic scientific knowledge to astronomy for someone without a telescope and lives in a big city and why do you think that. An astronomy book designed for kids is not going to offer detailed advice on how to get started with astrophotography, which lenses you will need, how to mount your camera for timelapse photography, or how to attach a camera to a telescope.
General astronomy books for beginners astronomy for dummies by stephen p. Fundamentals of astronomy hannu karttunen, heikki oja, pekka kroger is a great introductory book for astronomy. The most exciting and informative segment is the introduction to the lunar atlas, which divides the moon into 16 sections and includes lunar. The best astronomy and space books of 2019 skyatnightmagazine.
This staple from the popular for dummies series gets pretty high ratings from readers. Choose from used and new textbooks or get instant access with etextbooks and digital materials. The mastering astronomy website access that comes with it is awesome. Stuart clarks top 10 approachable astronomy books books. I have this book as a textbook for intro astronomy, but it would be good for anyone wanting an uptodate book on this topic. What is a good introductory text to astronomy stack exchange. Brown physics textbooks introductory physics i and ii a lecture note style textbook series intended to support the teaching of introductory physics, with calculus, at.
He received his phd from harvard university in 1968. Introductory astronomy and astrophysics by michael zeilik. The book is now in its 4th edition having been revised and improved for use through the year 2025. It presents somewhat complicated information in an easy to understand way, as it thoroughly covers all of the important aspects of multiple solar systems. The book can be used as a text for a descriptive course in astronomy for nonscience majors by omitting the problems, a good introductory text for undergraduate science majors by assigning some of. Learn about the solar system and explore the possibility of alien life with free courses from top universities. My phd advisor is the managing author of the series now.
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