Fundamental Astronomy

Book Description
Fundamental Astronomy gives a well-balanced and comprehensive introduction to the various fields of classical and modern astronomy. While emphasizing both the astronomical concepts and the underlying physical principles, the text provides a sound basis for more profound studies in the astronomical sciences.
The present corrected printing of the revised and enlarged third edition of this successful textbook includes a host of new knowledge acquired in recent years. In particular the chapters on observations and on the physics of the Sun have been thoroughly revised.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Finnish

Book Info
A comprehensive introduction to the various fields of classical and modern astronomy. Emphasizes both the astronomical concepts and underlying physical principles and provides a sound basis for more profound studies in astronomical sciences. Paper. DLC: Astronomy.


Table of Contents

1 Introduction 1
2 Spherical Astronomy 9
3 Observations and Instruments 49
4 Photometric Concepts and Magnitudes 93
5 Radiation Mechanisms 111
6 Temperatures 129
7 Celestial Mechanics 135
8 The Solar System 161
9 Stellar Spectra 233
10 Binary Stars and Stellar Masses 251
11 Stellar Structure 261
12 Stellar Evolution 279
13 The Sun 299
14 Variable Stars 315
15 Compact Stars 329
16 The Interstellar Medium 343
17 Star Clusters and Associations 379
18 The Milky Way 389
19 Galaxies 411
20 Cosmology 439
App. A Mathematics 465
App. B Quantum Mechanics 473
App. C Theory of Relativity 475
App. D Radio Astronomy Fundamentals 480
App. E. Tables 483
Answers to Exercises 501
Further Reading 507
Photograph Credits 511
Name and Subject Index 51


Reviews:
REVIEWS OF FIRST EDITION
"unique among available texts and has so much to offer … no one involved in astronomy teaching will want to be without a copy."
THE PHYSICS TEACHER

"a welcome addition to the 'introductory' textbooks available for astronomy courses."
AMERICAN SCIENTIST

"the wide range of expertise gives the book an authority that would be almost impossible for a single-author text … there are other aids to the reader: worked examples … starred sections in small print take the inquisitive reader beyond the general level of the book."
NATURE

Contemporary Physics, 1995, on a previous edition
"…very clearly aimed at the science student market, and would make an excellent undergraduate or starting post-graduate textbook…. This book represents excellent value for the serious student of astronomy and astrophysics, and I would highly recommend it as a general undergraduate text. It covers the whole field of modern astronomy in a clear and concise way that is rare in modern introductory-level textbooks."

The Physics Teacher, March 1989, on a previous edition
"This new introduction to astronomy serves as…a first-rate reference book …. It is unique among available texts and has so much to offer… no one involved in astronomy teaching will want to be without a copy."

American Scientist, March-April 1989, on a previous edition
"This a welcome addition to the 'introductory' textbooks available for astronomy courses…. The figures, including photographs (some in color), diagrams, and charts are excellent…. Quantitative exercises and their solutions are included at the end of most chapters…. As the most advanced introductory text on the market it certainly warrants consideration by anyone teaching astronomy to undergraduate science majors."

Nature, March 1988, on a previous edition
"…the wide range of expertise gives the book an authority that would be almost impossible for a single-author text… there are other aids to the reader: worked examples… starred sections in small print take the inquisitive reader beyond the general level of the book. Finally, the volume is enhanced by its illustrations, in particular by the central color supplement.."