A first selection of books on Astronomy available from the 'Evolution Research - Amazon Book Shop/Store' (links at the end of the post):
State of the Universe 2007: New Images, Discoveries, and Events
By Martin Ratcliffe
Fascinating developments in the understanding of our origins, of the early beginnings of the Universe, of how planets are formed, and how stars live out their lives and die occur every month. Each new result adds a tiny piece to the jigsaw puzzle, leading the way to a fuller and more complete understanding of the Universe around us. Rarely are such details offered in one place - until now. State of the Universe 2007 fills the gap between research and everyday news.
State of the Universe 2007 by Martin Ratcliffe provides an astronomy review suitable for the popular science level reader. The first annual in a new series, this book covers all major astronomical news on topics beyond the Solar System and places them in the context of the longer term goals of astronomers and astrophysicists. The aim is to capture the excitement and vibrancy of modern astronomical research.
Ratcliffe presents a complete list of the major announcements, discoveries and news items from each year. The January meeting of the American Astronomical Society each year will be the major source of astronomical news for the following year's volume. The regular features include an annual chronological list of the latest discoveries announced during the previous twelve months, a review of the major news stories of the year with the main characters, a list of launches of major astronomical observatories/satellites during the past year, and much more. The latest from the BadAstronomy website by Dr. Phil Plait is also included.
Martin Ratcliffe is a regular contributor to Astronomy Now and Astronomy magazine and is the author of Night Sky Deck, a kit for stargazers. He has served as Planetarium Director of Buhl Planetarium, Pittsburgh, USA and is currently director of the Boeing CyberDome Theater in Wichita, USA. He writes and produces planetarium shows for general public. He has worked as a consultant for various TV series, filmed two total eclipses of the Sun, and maintains an extensive contact network with public information and press officers of all US national observatories and NASA astronomical centers. [Source: Springer Press Release]
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Astronomy Today (5th Edition)
By Eric Chaisson, Steve McMillan
Book Description
Chaisson/McMillan's writing style and pedagogically driven art program are recognized as being scientifically accurate yet accessible to non-science majors. The integrated media program contains the market's only E-book. It provides readers with innovative and interactive tools to learn and test their understanding of astronomy concepts. Topics covered include Astronomy and the Universe, Our Planetay System, Stars and Stellar Evolution, Galaxies and Cosmology, Compare Life Insurance and more. For one or two-semester introductory astronomy course.
Content changes from the 4th Edition (Source: Prentice Hall):
Thoroughly updated Chapter 5 - Reflects recent discoveries and innovations, such as Telescope Design in Section 5.1
Introduction to solar system formation added to Chapter 6 - Sets the stage for the planetary chapters (p. 144-45).
Reorganized Chapter 22 - Expands the historical development of Special Relativity and General Relativity.
More contemporary coverage in Chapters 24 and 25 - Reorganizes material to emphasize the connection between normal and active galaxies, and expands the discussion of black holes in galactic nuclei.
Updates include new discoveries and data, including:
New material in Chapter 7 on the Ozone Hole and Global Warming.
Expanded coverage in Chapters 6 and 10 of the most recent missions to Mars.
Updates in Chapter 10 on Martian oppositions, gullies, oceans, and ice.
Final update on the Galileo/GEM mission in Chapter 11.
Updated discussion of solar system formation in Chapter 15; expanded coverage of competing theories, planet migration, planetesimal ejection, plutinos, and the angular momentum problem.
Latest results in Chapter 23 on Sgr A* and the Galaxy's central black hole. This chapter also includes a new discussion of the Shapley-Curtis debate giving historical context to the "Measuring the Milky Way" section.
Extensive revision of Chapters 26 and 27 to include the most recent observations of cosmic acceleration and discussion of "dark energy"
Revised discussions of the cosmological constant and the age of the universe; results from the CBI and WMAP experiments suggesting a flat universe.
Updated coverage of Europa, Mars, interstellar organic molecules, extra solar planets, and SETI in Chapter 28.
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A related post:
"The Astrobiology Primer: An Outline of General Knowledge (Open Access/Free)"
Books on Astronomy from the Science and Evolution Bookshop: UK | US
Telescopes ('Scopes') can be found in the Electronics section of the Shop/Store
