Conceptual Astronomy

by Michael Zeilik

Uses an innovative, imaginative approach to the subject, stressing scientific model making. Develops concepts from the concrete to the abstract, resulting in a traditional earth to universe organization. Identifies 25 basic issues which tie astronomer's current view of the universe together. End-of-chapter summaries unite key terms to key ideas in order to reinforce their relationships for students.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471509965
• ISBN13: 9780471509967
• Release Date: December 1992
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 2.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.1" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

One of the most amazing books I have seen in my life

This is one of the most amazing books, I have come across in my life. It does justice to its title: Conceptual Astronomy. Being trained as a physicist, I was amazed by the use of key words expressing the central idea, such as: Newton's First Law: The Interial Law, Newton's Second Law: The Force Law, Newton's Third Law: The Reaction Law. Same goes with Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion. Key Ideas are put down in separate boxes, all with use of only elementary mathematics. I have been using this book as supplementary reading in my freshman to senior classes. The same style is followed while dealing with abstract ideas of mathematics, e. g., models and the conditions which they must satisfy (with everything wrapped up in a single word: Explain, Predict, Verifiable, Chageable - of course, I add a fifth condition: Mathematically Consistent).It is not that the book is all dry pouring up concepts of physics, matheamtics and astronomy. It has beautiful pictures (in fact, breathtaking pictures), it has support material listed, with a question test bank available, all making it the most suitable textbook to adopt for non-mathematics majors.It is a pity that such a book is out of print. Books like Conceptual Astronomy: A Journey of Ideas "never" die.