Astronomy Books

I enjoyed both of these books acts of God being the other. Having been a single mother I could relate, well written.

This account of a woman struggling to find love and livlihood while in the throes of single motherhood is one of the most honest and moving portraits I've ever read. Mary Morris' talent in evoking both the absence of mother in the character, Ivy, as well as newly found rewards and challenges in her own new motherhood provides a story of both loss and redemption.

Mary Morris provides an insight on motherhood and how it changes a woman's life. Not only emotionally or financially, but in society's change in perception of a woman who becomes a mother. I read the book when my daughter was about 3 and I could really relate to the main character. I would recommend this book to everyone, but especially to the career woman who has recently become a mother.

This book is aimed at the advanced undergraduate or graduate student in astronomy or astrophysics. It is well suited for use as a university text, probably for a one year course. It also includes enough matherial to be useful to research scientists who may have specialized in other areas. The orientation of the book is more to the observer and analyzer of steller atmospheres rather than the theoretical approach.

In my opinion the student should have enough of a background in astronomy to at least understand the concept of spectrum lines. And math through Fourier transforms -- Chapter two of this book covers Fourier transforms, but twenty-five pages isn't quite enough to provide the understanding that I believe is needed for the rest of the book, or indeed for the questions that end Chapter 2.

This is the third edition of the book. It is updated to include the recent discoveries in both observations and the analytical tools that have been developed. To a lessor extent, some areas of the book have been revised to follow suggestions made by users of the previous editions.

This is a classical textbook on several issues of the analysis of stellar spectra. It is thorough, objective, very clear and superbly written, with illuminating physical insights and conceptual discussions. The reader will also benefit from the accurate mathematical treating. But it is not an undergraduate text: many topics are discussed in such a way that leaves the uninitiated feeling that the concepts have dropped from the sky. At times the discussion is brief and to the point, which is perfect for anyone who has studied the topic before and wishes a deeper understanding; again the novice might find him/herself unable to follow. The presentation of observational results throughout the text, corroborating the theoretical background, is very commendable. An excellent text to the very advanced undergraduate or beginner graduate student, with few rivals in the market.

This is a classical book on the astrophysics of stellar photospheres. Its content is accurate and thorough but yet simple enough for beginner undergradute students. For a more advanced approach see "Stellar atmospheres", by Dimitri Mihalas.

I first heard about this book from a good review article in Sky and Telescope magazine and thoroughly enjoyed it. Overall, this book succeeds as a primer on Variable Star observing. And, for variable star observers, this is definitely a must-have book.

Although the beginning of the book provides in-depth information on how to do variable star observing, the real strength of this book comes later when the authors explain what is going on inside the stars which cause the observed variability. Again, the authors are very thorough in providing explanations for all of the different types of variable stars. The book also comes with an easy to use CD containing star charts and variable light curves which supplement the book very well.

As an avid variable star observer myself, I found this book to be of great value. The first half of the book describes the process of observation in some detail. This detail includes a good deal of information about how the process should be done using CCD technology which I found quite interesting in it's own right as I am a visual observer and have not done any CCD observations yet. I do note the one weakness in the book is that the author brushes off the use of photometers in recording this data even though the AAVSO (the world's leading organization in variable star research) has a very lively group of photometric enthusiasts.

The real strength of the book in my opinion is in the second half. North goes into good detail discussing the science behind each of the various types of variables and why we believe they act as they do. This is information that I have found difficult to come by. It is especially useful, as it is quite readable and easy to reference.

All in all I recommend this book highly to anyone doing variable star observing, and I also recommend it in general to any amateur astronomer or arm chair scientist as a good source of information about a branch of science where it is the amateur who contributes the overwhelming amount of data to the field of study.

When I saw the title of this book I wondered why something like this would have any appeal to the amateur. The author immediately made this clear, these things have gotten boring to the professional so it is an area where the amateur can still do significant work.

After this, Mr. North spends the rest of the book on equipment, observing, and reporting your results. It's interesting that for this kind of work you don't need the biggest possible scope, in fact he says that you may have to stop down a larger scope to keep from overloading the image.

This book clearly lays out an observation program that just might appeal to a wide range of amateur observers. Within its area, it speaks with authority.

Both my wife and I read this interesting little childrens book "Our friend the Sun" and were both impressed. Both of us considered how often we complain about things in life and seemingly often take things for granite. This is a lovely pictorial and inspiration to everyone, be thankful for what you have and recognize that we all need a special type "sun" in our lives to survive. So next time its warm or hot on a summer day , don't complain , relish and enjoy it. Like all of us the sun has a purpose in our lives. Great bedtime book for children.

As I read this book to my children, I recalled the times when I was sad when the sun would go down after an extremely fun fulfilled day with my friends. There were so many sounds that filled the air...jump rope hitting the ground and the little feet that jumped in the midst of it, and the neighborhood kids calling each other by nicknames for a round of baseball. All the while, taking for granted the ultimate reason for which I was able to play. The Sun! This story took me back to the times when life was simpler, when cell phones did not exists and a PDA wasn't a Portable Digital Assistant, but rather something that you were forbidden to do. Life had its own motion, similar to the sun...calm and laid back. Needless to say, after reading the book to my children they went outside bright and early the next morning and played a little longer in the park. I even caught one admiring the way the sun cast a shadow on the ground between the monkey bars and slide. They knew the meaning, they understood. Life revolves around the sun. We need it and it needs us. Thanks to this author my kids love being outside..and camp at the front door till I give them the okay! Thank you so much Annie...keep it up!!

This is a good story to read to kids. The art is fun for them. I loved reading this to my daughter.

For the student of life. This book is a must for your bookshelf! Manley Hall has a true gift for explaining, defining, and making understandable, the basic principles of Astrology, the underlying principles of religion, philosophy, psychology to the layman.

For the student of life. This book is a must for your bookshelf! Manley Hall has a true gift for explaining, defining, and making understandable, the basic principles of Astrology, the underlying principles of religion, philosophy, psychology to the layman.

For the student of life. This book is a must for your bookshelf! Manley Hall has a true gift for explaining, defining, and making understandable, the basic principles of Astrology, the underlying principles of religion, philosophy, psychology to the layman.

As a student studying physics and philosophy this is one of the best books I've read. Jeans gives a great survey of modern physic and modern philosophy (I've used this book as a reference several times this semester to clear up some issues since I am taking both modern physics and modern philosophy!) and draws great conclusions from both of them. The book is a wonderful read, a lot of good information but still very enjoyable. Overall one of my favorite books.

This book is as timely now as when it was first published in 1944. It presents a brilliant summary of what modern physics does and does not say about the nature of the universe in which we exist, in the context of the historical development of physics and the corresponding developments in philosophy. Even better, it is written using language that is accessible to anyone, whether or not they have a background in science. It does not contain any mathematics, and no mathematical background is required in order to understand it.

I wish I had read this book 20 years ago; it would have given focus to my ponderings about the nature of reality, time and mind.

Summed up, in my younger high school years this book guided me through my ponderings of the world and helped point me in a direction which has essentially shaped who I am today, a rational, yet questioning individual which is also what Mr. Jeans I think tries to accomplish with this writing. decades ahead of it's time, Sir. James Jeans talks of the foundational limitations of newtonian (clock-work like) physics as well as quantum level physics as if it was being studied like it is today. James Jeans' book is a remarkable triumph of non-fiction literature by being able to describe the uses and limitations of deep-lying mathematical concepts in almost strictly non-mathematical language. A truly elegant work!

To the publisher I would appreciate it if the publisher could produce an audio adaptation of this book. I would love to listen to this while I drive to work and to let my 16 month old son listen to it as a bedtime story. Arnold D Veness

A standard introductory textbook of nuclear astrophysics written by a real expert in a superb style. It has taught nuclear astrophysics to most of us and will teach many more. I keep refering to it all the time. It is my favorite. I warmly recommend it.

"Principles of Stellar Evolution and Nucleosynthesis" is a standard work on stellar structure and evolution. It is clearly written and approachable even by a senior undergraduate. It is a "must" for anyone seriously interested in stellar astrophysics.

This is for those who failed to read 'Brief History of Time'. It explains complex theories with a clarity that astounds.

I read through the whole thing in less than 2 days, it was compelling as a novel. This is indeed a great book that makes complicated physics as easy as pie.

Kitty Ferguson has an amazing gift for translating incredibly difficult concepts from modern physics into language that anybody can grasp. "Prisons of Light" is a great example. If you want to understand black holes, but you know nothing of calculus or quantum dynamics, than this is the book for you. It is enjoyable reading and informative in the extreme. It is the place to start in this subject area. Highly recommended!

Have you ever wanted to persue reading about black holes, yet didn't feel like having to read it over and over to understand what is really being said? Well this is the exact book you should perchase. It is one of the most easy to read book and it trys to avoid all of the astronomical jargin that can get some people confused. And at the same time it teaches you so much in so little time. I know I was on page 79 before I knew it. I just could not put it down! Make sure you get it!

The variations in orbit, trials of Galileo, astrology vs astronomy, religion vs science, "Luna" tics and much much more. I was entranced and was listening to Richard everywhere I could find time. I could easily visualize (as he often asked us to do) what he was saying and it was compelling. I took a flight through history. Loved it!!
(The editorial review was totally off the mark, you should consider having them replaced)

I downloaded this to my Ipod. I love the way Berendzen talks about the development of science since the begining till now, and all the great minds who contributed to it. This is like listening to a vast and mystical drama. I only wish that this was in book form so, I could easily revisit parts of it.

It was a wonderful way for an interested layman to get updated on what has been learned in the field of astronomy since space flight has added to our knowledge. Dr. Berendzen is able to bring a wealth of detail into perspective. Also, he added personal information about various key physicists that humanized the subject.

Ignatius Donnelly was born in 1831 Philadelphia and became a lawyer in 1852. Married in 1855, they moved to Minnesota. When Minnesota became a state in 1857 Donnelly was elected lieutenant governor. In 1862 he was elected to Congress for three terms. He campaigned for Greenback policies and served in the state senate. Donnelly wrote "Atlantis" and "Ragnarok" which became sensational best sellers and made him wealthy. "The Great Cryptogram" analyzed Shakespeare's plays to prove they were written by Francis Bacon. Two novels dealt with a fascist takeover of America "Caesar's Column", and racial intolerance "Dr. Huguet". In 1887 he became a founder of the Populist Party, and was nominated for Vice-President in 1898. He died in Minneapolis on 1/1/1901. His politics, oratory, and literature marked his originality and talents; his writings are now out of fashion.

Donnelly studied the legends and mythologies of Hindus, Persians, Britons, Chinese, Greeks, Scandinavians, the North, Central, and South American Indians, Arabians, Babylonians, and Egyptians that told of disaster by fire, hail, frost, darkness, changes in climates, and tales of dragons and other monsters. Donnelly claimed these reflected a visit from a giant comet, and the proof lay in The Drift of unstratified deposits which came from a cometic collision rather than glacial movement. Donnelly suggested a comet could have caused Old Testament events such as the destruction of the wicked cities, the sun standing still, and stones falling from the heavens. Ragnarok, the Twilight of the Gods (or Rain of Rocks), commanded the interest of general readers, and the admiration (if not credence) of the scientific world. Donnelly, a good lawyer, argued his case well with all the evidence available to him at the time. Decades later Immanuel Velikovsky would publish his version of this theory.

The surface of our planet consists of layers of sand, clay, and gravel (over stratified rock). It contains no trace of fossils. The pre-glacial world saw tropical plants growing near the Arctic Circle in Miocene times. Herds of elephants and other animals lived in Europe. Donnelly says a sudden cataclysm brought severe cold, and left deposits of sand, clay, and gravel; fissures were created in earth's crust. He explains why this was caused by a comet striking earth, the heat vaporizing the seas to create clouds, rain, and snow. Rocks on the surface would be smashed and crushed. This collision was preserved in the legends of mankind. The Great Lakes suggest points of impact. Vast clouds, and debris in the sky, would create a "nuclear winter".

Donnelly says myths and legends are ultimately based on some fact. Finding the same legends among different nations suggests a common experience in prehistoric times. These myths of a cataclysm imply the existence of mankind; they are in accord with the facts known to science and from deep excavations. The legends coincide in this: a monster in the air; the heat; the fire; the cave-life; the darkness; the return of light. Donnelly respectfully suggests the Book of Job is the oldest in the Bible, and gives a new viewpoint to the beginning of Genesis.

Donnelly answers objections in Part IV Chapter IV. The position of certain constellations in Job estimates this time as 30,000 years ago. Donnelly suggests the fire that seemed to drop out of the heavens and set a number of fires in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois on October 8, 1871 was the result of Bielas' comet. There is a universal feeling that regards comets with fear; Revelation (chapter xii, v.3) is a symbol of a comet brushing the earth. Why would God permit such a calamity? Perhaps what was destroyed was not worth preserving? It could be God's plan to punish the wicked of this world, says Donnelly.

Ignatius Donnelly was born in 1831 Philadelphia and became a lawyer in 1852. Married in 1855, they moved to Minnesota. When Minnesota became a state in 1857 Donnelly was elected lieutenant governor. In 1862 he was elected to Congress for three terms. He campaigned for Greenback policies and served in the state senate. Donnelly wrote "Atlantis" and "Ragnarok" which became sensational best sellers and made him wealthy. "The Great Cryptogram" analyzed Shakespeare's plays to prove they were written by Francis Bacon. Two novels dealt with a fascist takeover of America "Caesar's Column", and racial intolerance "Dr. Huguet". In 1887 he became a founder of the Populist Party, and was nominated for Vice-President in 1898. He died in Minneapolis on 1/1/1901. His politics, oratory, and literature marked his originality and talents; his writings are now out of fashion.

Donnelly studied the legends and mythologies of Hindus, Persians, Britons, Chinese, Greeks, Scandinavians, the North, Central, and South American Indians, Arabians, Babylonians, and Egyptians that told of disaster by fire, hail, frost, darkness, changes in climates, and tales of dragons and other monsters. Donnelly claimed these reflected a visit from a giant comet, and the proof lay in The Drift of unstratified deposits which came from a cometic collision rather than glacial movement. Donnelly suggested a comet could have caused Old Testament events such as the destruction of the wicked cities, the sun standing still, and stones falling from the heavens. Ragnarok, the Twilight of the Gods (or Rain of Rocks), commanded the interest of general readers, and the admiration (if not credence) of the scientific world. Donnelly, a good lawyer, argued his case well with all the evidence available to him at the time. Decades later Immanuel Velikovsky would publish his version of this theory.

The surface of our planet consists of layers of sand, clay, and gravel (over stratified rock). It contains no trace of fossils. The pre-glacial world saw tropical plants growing near the Arctic Circle in Miocene times. Herds of elephants and other animals lived in Europe. Donnelly says a sudden cataclysm brought severe cold, and left deposits of sand, clay, and gravel; fissures were created in earth's crust. He explains why this was caused by a comet striking earth, the heat vaporizing the seas to create clouds, rain, and snow. Rocks on the surface would be smashed and crushed. This collision was preserved in the legends of mankind. The Great Lakes suggest points of impact. Vast clouds, and debris in the sky, would create a "nuclear winter".

Donnelly says myths and legends are ultimately based on some fact. Finding the same legends among different nations suggests a common experience in prehistoric times. These myths of a cataclysm imply the existence of mankind; they are in accord with the facts known to science and from deep excavations. The legends coincide in this: a monster in the air; the heat; the fire; the cave-life; the darkness; the return of light. Donnelly respectfully suggests the Book of Job is the oldest in the Bible, and gives a new viewpoint to the beginning of Genesis.

Donnelly answers objections in Part IV Chapter IV. The position of certain constellations in Job estimates this time as 30,000 years ago. Donnelly suggests the fire that seemed to drop out of the heavens and set a number of fires in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois on October 8, 1871 was the result of Bielas' comet. There is a universal feeling that regards comets with fear; Revelation (chapter xii, v.3) is a symbol of a comet brushing the earth. Why would God permit such a calamity? Perhaps what was destroyed was not worth preserving? It could be God's plan to punish the wicked of this world, says Donnelly.

Ignatius Donnelly was a 19th century populist and freethinker whose books on Atlantis were groundbreakers--in fact the first serious look at the possibility of an antideluvian continent of high culture that existed in the mid-Atlantic.

Despite some flaws not fully proven Donnelly does manage to bring up a number of questions of the revisionist variety that later researchers have used in research in the ensuing 100 years.

Ragnarok also avoids a lot of the "channelling" and new age gobbledegook so familiar with fans of the genre. Highly recommended as an introduction.