Presents scientific literacy in the context of astronomy, with the aim of teaching students to think critically and analytically about the physical world and the development of science. The text requires a minimum level of simple algebra and trigonometry. It presents an explanation of key physical principles and techniques like Kepler and Newton's laws, spectroscopy and distance measurement (the cosmic distance ladder is used throughout). Also avaialble: Instructor's Edition (0-13-644097-5), Test Item File (0-13-644105-X), Student Lab Manual (0-13-644196-3).
ERIC CHAISSON holds a doctorate inn Astrophysics from Harvard University, where he spent ten years on the faculty of Arts and Sciences. For five years, Eric was a Senior Scientist and Director of Educational Programs at the Space Telescope Science Institute and Adjunct Professor of Physics at Johns Hopkins University. He recently joined Tufts University, where he is now Professor of Physics, Professor of Education, and Director of the Wright Center for Innovative Science Education. He has written nine books on astronomy, which have received such literary awards as the Phi Beta Kappa Prize, two American Institute of Physics Awards, and Harvard's Smith Prize for Literary Merit. He has published more than 100 scientific papers in professional journals, and has also received Harvard's Bok Prize for original contributions to astrophysics.
STEVE MCMILLAN holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Mathematics from Cambridge University and a doctorate in Astronomy from Harvard University. He held post-doctoral positions at the University of Illinois and Northwestern University, where he continued his research in theoretical astrophysics, star clusters, and numerical modeling. Steve is currently Distinguished Professor of Physics at Drexel University and a frequent visiting researcher at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study and the University of Tokyo. He has published over 40 scientific papers in professional journals.