More about the series Practical Astronomy...
Astrophysics is often –with some justification – regarded as incomprehensible without the use of higher mathematics. Consequently, many amateur astronomers miss out on some of the most fascinating aspects of the subject. Astrophysics Is Easy! cuts through the difficult mathematics and explains the basics of astrophysics in accessible terms. Using nothing more than plain arithmetic and simple examples, the workings of the universe are outlined in a straightforward yet detailed and easy-to-grasp manner.
Following on the success of the first and second editions, this fully updated third edition covers the significant changes in astrophysics theories and research that have occurred in the last five years, including new material on: exomoons, exocomets and exoasteroids; Special and General Relativity; gravitational waves, their origins and detection; telescope optics; black hole astrophysics; and more.
For each topic under discussion, an observing list is included so that observers can actually see for themselves the concepts presented – stars of the spectral sequence, nebulae, galaxies, even black holes. The book also features in-text, nonmathematical questions and end-of-chapter problems – all with their accompanying solutions – to help readers discuss and digest the material.
Table of Contents:
Tools of the Trade
The Solar System
Spectroscopy and the Spectral Sequence
The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram
The Interstellar Medium and Protostars
Star Birth
Galactic Clusters and Stellar Associations
The Sun, Our Nearest Star
Binary Stars and Stellar Mass
Life on the Main Sequence
Star death: White Dwarfs and Planetary Nebulae
Star Death: Supernovae and Neutron Stars
An Interlude: Special and General Relativity
Black Holes
Exoplanets
Galaxies
Active Galaxies
Cosmology
The Speculative Universe
Contains in-text and end-of-chapter problems and solutions.
The author Dr. Mike Inglis was born in Wales in the UK, but lives and works in the USA, where he is Professor of Astrophysics at Suffolk County Community College, State University of New York.
SPECIFICATIONS
General
Number of photos and images
82
Number of pages
454
Equipment
Softcover
date of publication
2023
Edition
3rd edition
Author
Michael Inglis
Language
English
Series
Practical Astronomy
Level
Advanced