From planetary movements and the exploration of our solar system to black holes and dark matter, this comprehensive reference simplifies all aspects of astronomy with an approachable question-and-answer format. With chapters broken into various astronomical studies—including the universe, galaxies, planets, and space exploration—this fully updated resource is an ideal companion for students, teachers, and amateur astronomers, answering more than 1,00 questions, such as Is the universe infinite? What would happen to you if you fell onto a black hole? What are the basic concepts of Einstein's special theory of relativity? and Who was the first person in space?
1117930763
The Handy Astronomy Answer Book
From planetary movements and the exploration of our solar system to black holes and dark matter, this comprehensive reference simplifies all aspects of astronomy with an approachable question-and-answer format. With chapters broken into various astronomical studies—including the universe, galaxies, planets, and space exploration—this fully updated resource is an ideal companion for students, teachers, and amateur astronomers, answering more than 1,00 questions, such as Is the universe infinite? What would happen to you if you fell onto a black hole? What are the basic concepts of Einstein's special theory of relativity? and Who was the first person in space?
From planetary movements and the exploration of our solar system to black holes and dark matter, this comprehensive reference simplifies all aspects of astronomy with an approachable question-and-answer format. With chapters broken into various astronomical studies—including the universe, galaxies, planets, and space exploration—this fully updated resource is an ideal companion for students, teachers, and amateur astronomers, answering more than 1,00 questions, such as Is the universe infinite? What would happen to you if you fell onto a black hole? What are the basic concepts of Einstein's special theory of relativity? and Who was the first person in space?
Charles Liu is a professor of astrophysics at the City University of New York's College of Staten Island, an associate with the Hayden Planetarium, and department of astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. He received the 2001 American Institute of Physics Science Writing Award for his book One Universe: At Home in the Cosmos. He lives in Montclair, New Jersey.
Table of Contents
Introduction ix Acknowledgments xi Index 319 Astronomy Fundamentals 1 Important Disciplines in Astronomy History of Astronomy Medieval and Renaissance Astronomy Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century Advances Matter and Energy Time, Waves, and Particles Quantum Mechanics The Universe 33 Characteristics of the Universe Origin of the Universe Evidence of the Big Bang Evolution of the Universe Black Holes Wormholes and Cosmic Strings Dark Matter and Dark Energy Multi-Dimension Theories The End of the Universe Galaxies 59 Fundamentals The Milky Way The Milky Way's Neighborhood Galaxy Movement Age of Galaxies Galactic Dust and Clouds Nebulae, Quasars, and Blazars Black Holes in Galaxies Active Galaxies More Active Galaxies and Quasars Stars 89 Star Basics Mapping the Stars Describing and Measuring Stars How Stars Work Sunspots, Flares, and Solar Wind Star Evolution The Sun Dwarf Stars and Giant Stars Neutron Stars and Pulsars Radiating Stars Binary Star Systems Star Clusters The Solar System 125 Planetary Systems Planet Basics The Inner Solar System Gas Giants Moons The Kuiper Belt and Beyond Asteroids Comets Earth and The Moon 161 Earth Orbit and Rotation The Atmosphere The Magnetic Field Van Allen Belts Neutrinos Cosmic Rays Meteors and Meteorites The Moon Tides Clocks and Calendars The Seasons Eclipses Space Programs 193 Rocket History Satellites and Spacecraft The Sputnik Era Communications Satellites First Humans in Space Early Soviet Programs Early American Programs The Apollo Missions Early Space Stations The Space Shuttle Astronomy Today 225 Measuring Units Telescope Basics Photography and Photometry Spectroscopy Interferometry Radio Telescopes Microwave Telescopes Solar TelescopesSpecial Telescopes Terrestrial Observatories Airborne and Infrared Observatories Space Telescopes Infrared Space Telescopes X-Ray Space Telescopes Ultraviolet Space Telescopes Gamma-Ray Space Telescopes Exploring the Solar System 263 Exploration Basics Exploring the Sun Exploring Mercury and Venus Exploring Mars Failed Mars Missions Mars Missions in the Twenty-First Century Exploring the Outer Planets Exploring Asteroids and Comets Life in the Universe 297 Living in Space Life on Earth and on the Moon Life in Our Solar System Searching for Intelligent Life Exoplanets Life on Exoplanets
"Written by Liu (astrophysics, CUNY, Staten Island), an award-winning writer on astronomy, the book delivers on the promises of "Your Smart Reference" on the topic. A logical addition to the publisher’s "Answer Book" series, this engaging and entertaining publication will appeal to students and adults alike." —School Library Journal
"Poses hundreds of heady questions about such matters as the Big Bang, sunspots, black holes, quarks, neutrinos and Carl Sagan. [A] handy reference . . . accessible writing and careful structure [convey] the pleasures of science and discovery." —Kirkus Reviews
"A valuable resource that can be used by both teachers and students as a reference or read from cover to cover." —National Science Teachers Association
"If you have questions about space or astronomy, this book will provide what you want to know." —San Antonio Express-News
"True to its title . . . all that and more. Amazingly brief entries cover enormous topics." —Seattle Times
"Concise reference explaining all manner of space topics." —Dallas Morning News
"Written in understandable language, but the answers are not over-simplified and provide sufficient detail for understanding the concept or feature described, making this book appropriate for readers for high school to college." —American Reference Books Annual
"The range of topics [this book] presents is vast and comprehensive, with many fascinating informational tidbits . . . Stimulating and useful, whether one dips through its pages haphazardly or reads it cover to cover." —Book Review Digest
