Introduction to Stars and Planets

An activities-based exploration

Alan Hirshfeld (University of Massachusetts (United States))

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Hardback

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English

Institute of Physics Publishing
21 December 2020

Galaxies & stars; Solar system: the Sun & planets

Series: AAS-IOP Astronomy

How do astronomers know what they know about the stars and planets? That is the question behind today’s rapid pace of cosmic discovery, for every new finding rests upon a centuries-long foundation of astronomical practice. Introduction to Stars and Planets: An activities-based exploration reveals the methods by which Earthbound observers have deduced the physical attributes of celestial bodies, whether situated within our solar neighborhood or at the far ends of the galaxy. The book’s 28 mildly mathematical activities invite readers to carry out the essential work of the astronomer by utilizing real observational data sets and high-quality celestial photographs to establish the innate properties of a range of cosmic systems. Taken in sequence, these activities illustrate the epic advancement of stellar and planetary astronomy over the past century, up to the present day.

Key Features

Wide-ranging topical coverage of both historical and up-to-the-minute aspects of astronomical discovery Uses a learning-by-doing approach Structured, goal-oriented framework centered on the methods and physical principles by which astronomers study the universe Provides real-time educational feedback to students Introduces elementary mathematics for students to gain a truer sense of the work astronomers do

An excellent primer for early-years undergraduates, this book contains a large number of short chapters on the Sun, stars, and planets, each followed by a number of exercises in the form of worksheets for the student. It could reasonably be used by individual students (especially in the current covid crisis) or by teachers to supplement their lessons. The Observatory, Vol. 141 2021 June

By: Alan Hirshfeld (University of Massachusetts (United States))
Imprint: Institute of Physics Publishing
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 254mm, Width: 178mm, Spine: 13mm
Weight: 555g
ISBN: 9780750336895
ISBN 10: 0750336897
Series: AAS-IOP Astronomy
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 21 December 2020
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Preface Author Biography Part I: The Sun1. The Sun’s Distance I: the Method of Aristarchus2. The Sun’s Distance II: Transits and Radar-ranging of Venus3. The Sun’s Diameter and Mass4. The Sunspot Cycle5. The Solar Constant6. The Sun’s Luminosity7. The Sun’s Surface Temperature8. Spectral Lines and the Chemistry of the Sun9. Is the Sun on Fire?10. How Long Will the Sun Shine? Part II: The Stars11. The Distances of Stars: Stellar Parallax12. Weighing a Star: Binary Stars and Stellar Mass13. The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram14. The Distance to a Star Cluster 15. The Evolution of the Sun16. The Evolution of Massive Stars17. Supernovae: The Expansion of the Crab Nebula18. The Event Horizon of Black Holes19. Kepler’s Third Law and the Masses of Black Holes20. Our Place in the Galaxy Part III: The Planets21. A Slice of Earth22. Geological Time in Perspective23. The Comparative Density of Planets24. Planetary Surface Temperatures25. The Habitable Zone26. The Search for Exoplanets: Doppler Method27. The Search for Exoplanets: Transit Method (I)28. The Search for Exoplanets: Transit Method (II) Appendix A

Alan Hirshfeld, Professor of physics at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, is Chair of the American Astronomical Society’s Historical Astronomy Division and a longtime Associate of the Harvard College Observatory. He is the author of Parallax: The Race to Measure the Cosmos; The Electric Life of Michael Faraday; Eureka Man: The Life and Legacy of Archimedes; Astronomy Activity and Laboratory Manual; and Starlight Detectives: How Astronomers, Inventors, and Eccentrics Discovered the Modern Universe. He is a regular book reviewer for The Wall Street Journal and writes and lectures frequently on science history and discovery. Visit the author’s website at www.alanhirshfeld.com.

Reviews for Introduction to Stars and Planets: An activities-based exploration

An excellent primer for early-years undergraduates, this book contains a large number of short chapters on the Sun, stars, and planets, each followed by a number of exercises in the form of worksheets for the student. It could reasonably be used by individual students (especially in the current covid crisis) or by teachers to supplement their lessons. The Observatory, Vol. 141 2021 June * The Observatory *