Overview
Main description
A fun, fascinating, accessible introduction to astronomy basics
In this latest installment in the bestselling Utterly Confused series, an astronomy professor and a popular science writer team up to fill you in on all the essentials of modern astronomy. From the solar system and the constellations to space-time, gravity, and quantum physics, you'll go on a fascinating journey through the cosmos, becoming acquainted with the most recent astronomical phenomena and concepts, and dozens of fun facts.
Table of contents
PrefaceAcknowledgmentOrganization of the TextPart I: Where Are We? The BasicsChapter 1: The Universe in Time and SpaceChapter 2: The Earth's PlaceChapter 3: Our Vantage Point on EarthChapter 4: Key Concepts and Basic LawsPart II: Solar Systems and How They FormChapter 5: The Solar Nebula and the Formation of Gas PlanetsChapter 6: The Solar Nebula and the Formation of the Rocky Planets and MoonsChapter 7: The Smaller Bodies of Our Solar SystemChapter 8: The Sun's Role in Our Solar SystemPart III: Astrophysics BasicsChapter 9: Origins of the Puzzles of Space-time and GravityChapter 10: Down to the Atomic and Subatomic LevelsChapter 11: How These Are StudiedPart IV: Stars and GalaxiesChapter 12: Star Formation, Star DevelopmentChapter 13: The Death of StarsChapter 14: Galaxy Formation and DevelopmentPart V: Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and on to the FutureChapter 15: The Role of Dark MatterChapter 16: The Role of Dark EnergyChapter 17: The Future of the UniverseChapter 18: Frontiers in AstronomyINDEX
Author comments
Terry Jones, Ph.D., is an astronomy professor at the University of Minnesota.
Ingrid Johnson is a science writer.
Back cover copy
Make sense of the stars-and everything else in the sky!
You don't need to be an astrophysicist to enjoy the wonders of the cosmos. But it helps to learn some basics about the vast reaches of space-such as how gravity works, what black holes are, or why some stars become supernovas.
If you've got questions about star systems, galaxies, quasars, or any other topic in basic astronomy, Professor Terry Jones is here with the answers. He'll show you not just how to look at the stars in the sky, but how to know which ones you're looking at. You'll learn how the planets and stars were formed, what dark matter and dark energy are, and even where and when to look for the next comet. With Astronomy for the Utterly Confused, you'll enjoy our universe on a whole new level. You'll also find
- Hundreds of photographs of astronomical phenomena
- Latest data on the age of the universe, the location of Earth in the Milky Way, and details about our galaxy
- Over 400 self-testing questions and answers
- Fun facts in Astronomy, such as the Four Top Meteor Showers and Dates When They Can Be Seen
