PDF-(READ)-Fundamental Astronomy

Fundamental Astronomy gives a wellbalanced and comprehensive introduction to the topics 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 fifth edition of this successful undergraduate textbook has been extensively modernized and extended in the parts dealing with the Milky Way extragalactic astronomy and cosmology as well as with extrasolar planets and the solar system as a consequence of recent results from satellite missions and the new definition by the International Astronomical Union of planets dwarf planets and small solarsystem bodies Furthermore a new chapter on astrobiology has been addedLong considered a standard text for physical science majors Fundamental Astronomy is also an excellent reference and entree for dedicated amateur astronomers. . Presented by:-. Mohit. . Shashwat. . Ankit. What is X-ray Astronomy?. X ray astronomy is an observational branch of . astronomy. which deals with the study of x ray observation and detection from astronomical objects.. OUR PLACE IN SPACE. Earth is not special. We do not have any unique place in the Universe. We live on an ordinary rocky planet called Earth, one of nine known planets orbiting an average star called Sun. We are near the edge of a huge collection of stars called the Milky Way Galaxy, which is one galaxy among countless billions of other galaxies spread throughout the observable universe.. This 6th edition of Tools of Radio Astronomy, the most used introductory text in radio astronomy, has been revised to reflect the current state of this important branch of astronomy. This includes the use of satellites, low radio frequencies, the millimeter/sub-mm universe, the Cosmic Microwave Background and the increased importance of mm/sub-mm dust emission.Several derivations and presentations of technical aspects of radio astronomy and receivers, such as receiver noise, the Hertz dipole and beam forming have been updated, expanded, re-worked or complemented by alternative derivations. These reflect advances in technology.The wider bandwidths of the Jansky-VLA and long wave arrays such as LOFAR and mm/sub-mm arrays such as ALMA required an expansion of the discussion of interferometers and aperture synthesis. Developments in data reduction algorithms have been included.As a result of the large amount of data collected in the past 20 years, the discussion of solar system radio astronomy, dust emission, and radio supernovae has been revisited.The chapters on spectral line emission have been updated to cover measurements of the neutral hydrogen radiation from the early universe as well as measurements with new facilities. Similarly the discussion of molecules in interstellar space has been expanded to include the molecular and dust emission from protostars and very cold regions.Several worked examples have been added in the areas of fundamental physics, such as pulsars.Both students and practicing astronomers will appreciate this new up-to-date edition of Tools of Radio Astronomy. Astronomy as a science began with the Ionian philosophers, with whom Greek philosophy and mathematics also began. While the Egyptians and Babylonians had accomplished much of astronomical worth, it remained for the unrivalled speculative genius of the Greeks, in particular, their mathematical genius, to lay the foundations of the true science of astronomy. In this classic study, a noted scholar discusses in lucid detail the specific advances made by the Greeks, many of whose ideas anticipated the discoveries of modern astronomy.Pythagoras, born at Samos about 572 B.C., was probably the first to hold that the earth is spherical in shape, while his later followers anticipated Copernicus with the then-startling hypothesis that the earth was not the center of the universe but a planet like the others. Heraclides of Pontus (c. 388–315 B.C.), a pupil of Plato, declared that the apparent daily rotation of the heavenly bodies is due, not to a rotation of the heavenly sphere about an axis through the center of the earth, but to the rotation of the earth itself around its own axis. Secondly, Heraclides discovered that Venus and Mercury revolve around the sun like satellites. Perhaps the greatest astronomer of antiquity was Hipparchus, who flourished between 161 and 126 B.C. He compiled a catalog of fixed stars to the number 850 or more, made great improvements in the instruments used for astronomical observations, and discovered the precession of the equinoxes, among other accomplishments. The astronomy of Hipparchus takes its definitive form in the Syntaxis (commonly called the Almagest) of Ptolemy, written about A.D. 150, which held the field until the time of Copernicus.The extraordinary achievements of these and many more Greek theorists are given full coverage in this erudite account, which blends exceptional clarity with a readable style to produce a work that is not only indispensable for astronomers and historians of science but easily accessible to science-minded lay readers. Stargazing: Photographs of the Night Sky from the Archives of NASA is a photographic collection of the night sky\'s most extraordinary phenomena.These images from the archives of NASA reveal stunning photos of the cosmos, from radiant aurora borealis to awe-inspiring lunar eclipses.Complete with a preface by Bill Nye, this collection of photographs perfectly captures the wonder of looking up at the night sky.• Each breathtaking photo is paired with an informative caption about the scientific phenomena it reveals and the technology used to capture it• Beautiful on display on the coffee table• A go-to gift for both serious and casual stargazersThis collection of photographs illuminates the darkness of space in a whole new way.Blending art and science, the magnificent images of Stargazing captures the imagination of anyone interested in astronomy, travel, photography, and space exploration.• The only book from NASA that focuses solely on the night sky• A perfect gift for space lovers, stargazers, science geeks, scientists, parents, students, recent graduates, photographers and photography lovers, and NASA fans• Great for those who loved Earth and Space: Photographs from the Archives of NASA by Nirmala Nataraj, Infinite Wonder: An Astronaut\'s Photographs from a Year in Space by Scott Kelly, and The Hubble Cosmos: 25 Years of New Vistas in Space by David H. Devorkin and Robert W. Smith The ideal text for a one-semester course in radio astronomyEssential Radio Astronomy is the only textbook on the subject specifically designed for a one-semester introductory course for advanced undergraduates or graduate students in astronomy and astrophysics. It starts from first principles in order to fill gaps in students\' backgrounds, make teaching easier for professors who are not expert radio astronomers, and provide a useful reference to the essential equations used by practitioners.This unique textbook reflects the fact that students of multiwavelength astronomy typically can afford to spend only one semester studying the observational techniques particular to each wavelength band. Essential Radio Astronomy presents only the most crucial concepts--succinctly and accessibly. It covers the general principles behind radio telescopes, receivers, and digital backends without getting bogged down in engineering details. Emphasizing the physical processes in radio sources, the book\'s approach is shaped by the view that radio astrophysics owes more to thermodynamics than electromagnetism.Proven in the classroom and generously illustrated throughout, Essential Radio Astronomy is an invaluable resource for students and researchers alike.The only textbook specifically designed for a one-semester course in radio astronomyStarts from first principlesMakes teaching easier for astronomy professors who are not expert radio astronomersEmphasizes the physical processes in radio sourcesCovers the principles behind radio telescopes and receiversProvides the essential equations and fundamental constants used by practitionersSupplementary website includes lecture notes, problem sets, exams, and links to interactive demonstrationsAn online illustration package is available to professors “A carefully reasoned history of astronomy … clearly the work of a man who loved his subject.” — The Times (London) Literary Supplement.Few histories of astronomy offer the special human dimension of this book. For Professor Pannekoek (University of Amsterdam), the history of astronomy consists of the growth of man’s concept of his world. The study of the cosmos became an essential part of the history of human culture, an adventure of the mind.In this well-balanced account of that adventure, the author is at pains to relate the development of astronomy to the social and cultural background in which it is nurtured. Thus, the effect of changes in political conditions, the influence of geography, and the growth of industry and of communications methods are clearly and incisively described.Dr. Pannekoek begins with an unusually detailed account of astronomy in ancient times, including Babylonian sky-lore, Assyrian astrology, the Ptolemaic worldview, Hellenistic astronomy, the epicycle theory, and Arabian astronomy. The growth of astronomy after Copernicus constitutes the second part of the book, acquainting the reader with the epoch-making work of Kepler and Newton and the astonishing developments of celestial mechanics during the eighteenth century. Part III begins with Herschel, the gifted amateur whose observations opened up new horizons, and ends with Eddington’s pioneering studies of the internal constitutions of stars.Comprehensive, well-written and full of small, revealing details that attest to the scope and depth of the author’s learning, this splendid survey belongs in the library of every astronomer — or anyone interested in the grand mystery of the cosmos and man’s attempts to penetrate it. By now, your child will already understand the big concepts on astronomy. Included in this astronomy book are the history and future of space exploration as well as the types of equipment needed for a safe space travel. In addition, your student will learn about the scientific evidence for the origin, as well as age, of the universe. Read this book today. Comprehensive, authoritative coverage of interferometric techniques for radio astronomy In this Second Edition of Interferometry and Synthesis in Radio Astronomy, three leading figures in the development of large imaging arrays, including very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI), describe and explain the technology that provides images of the universe with an angular resolution as fine as 1/20,000 of an arcsecond. This comprehensive volume begins with a historical review followed by detailed coverage of the theory of interferometry and synthesis imaging, analysis of interferometer response, geometrical relationships, polarimetry, antennas, and arrays. Discussion of the receiving system continues with analysis of the response to signals and noise, analog design requirements, and digital signal processing. The authors detail special requirements of VLBI including atomic frequency standards, broadband recording systems, and antennas in orbit. Further major topics include: * Calibration of data and synthesis of images* Image enhancement using nonlinear algorithms* Techniques for astrometry and geodesy* Propagation in the neutral atmosphere and ionized media* Radio interference* Related techniques: intensity interferometry, moon occultations, antenna holography, and optical interferometry Interferometry and Synthesis in Radio Astronomy, Second Edition is comprehensive in that it provides an excellent overview of most radio astronomical instrumentation and techniques. In Stars Above, Earth Below, Tyler Nordgren examines a range of astronomical topics and makes the connection between them and the landscapes, processes, and cultures which can be seen and experienced within specific U.S. National Parks. For each park and topic the story unfolds in three steps: what does the reader see for him - or herself? What is the scientific cause or explanation of what is seen? And finally, what is the big picture about ourselves, our world, and our Universe? The author takes us the length and breadth of the U.S., from the coast of Maine to the Yellowstone volcano, from the depths of the Grand Canyon to the heights of the Rocky Mountains, exploring the natural links between the features of the parks and those of our Universe. Research shows that students learn best by doing. This workbook, written by two master teachers, contains 36 field-tested activities, including nine new to the Second Edition, that span the introductory astronomy course and can be used in any size classroom. Each activity is now self-contained with an introduction that provides necessary background material for students. Activities are built around a concept that leads students from basic knowledge to a deeper understanding through guided interactions. The Second Edition is supported by Smartwork5, so instructors can easily assess student understanding. Written by two expert teachers and based on astronomy education research, this workbook guides students through concepts, promotes quantitative literacy, and increases student confidence in their understanding of how the universe works. It should be read by anyone even remotely interested in the long saga of the universe\'s profound and lasting influence on mankind’s development. — New ScientistA grand book. — Publishers WeeklyDr. Krupp teaches us once more to look up at the stars and marvel. — Ray BradburyThe intriguing world of archaeoastronomy — the study of ancient peoples\' observations of the skies and the impact of what they saw on their cultural evolution — is the focus of this eminently readable and authoritative survey. Author E. C. Krupp, an astronomer, is the director of the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California. He is one of the world\'s greatest experts on archaeoastronomy, and the author of numerous books including Beyond the Blue Horizon (1992) and In Search of Ancient Astronomies (1978). His interpretations of sky-watching customs from around the world range from everyday pursuits such as measuring time and calculating planting seasons to philosophical issues concerning the role of humanity within the larger context of the universe.Beginning with an explanation of how the sky works and how people have relied upon its guidance for centuries, Dr. Krupp explores ancient and prehistoric observatories, from sites in China and Babylonia to Scotland and Peru. He relates sky god mythology from many cultures, discusses astronomy\'s influence on funerary rites and other vigils and rituals, and profiles sacred places such as Stonehenge and the kivas of the American Southwest. An extraordinary interdisciplinary work of investigation and discovery, this book offers a compelling portrait of the ancient stargazers, their beliefs, and their customs. 208 illustrations. Bibliography. Index.This remarkable book, written by one of the greatest experts on archaeoastronomy is packed with valuable information. — Message to Eagle A masterpiece of historical insight and scientific accuracy, this is the definitive work on Greek astronomy and the Copernican Revolution. Beginning with the ancient Egyptians, it ranges from the Pythagoreans and Plato to medieval European and Islamic cosmologies, concluding with detailed surveys of the works of Copernicus, Brahe, and Kepler.