Customer Reviews
Truly Brilliant - By: Ted Maxwell, 12 Aug 2008 
This book isexactly what it claims to bein the preface, the best introduction to astronomy & astrophysics for the mathematically literate around. its big, packed with useful information, the physics prelude reminds you of everything you know, & teaches some stuff you might not know. A reasonable grasp of physics (at least A-Level), & Algebra, Trigonometry, & Calculus is also required.
The book to get for 1st and 2nd year Astrophysics students - By: , 02 Feb 2005 If you are doing a degreein Astrophysics or Astronomy & want a book that is going to last & provide a broad knowledge of astronomy & will last throughout your degree, this is a book to get. If you want pretty pictures & hand-wavy explanations & descriptions, get another book. If you want a bit a detail, & some solid (but not complicated) mathematical background to help understand the astrophysics presented more deeply, this book does a good job. It provides nice simple mathematical models for otherwise complicated processes such as stellar structure, planetary physics & galactic astronomy. It also has some useful appendicies with those easy-to-forget astronomical constants & numbers you need for homeworks. I bought thisin the first year of my undergraduate degree, & I am still using it during my PhD. What more can I say?
Great book, maybe not the answer to your seminar prayers tho - By: , 05 Apr 2003 This is a great book. I was recommended it for my course (physics with astrophysics) & as a first year have found it very usefulin the more specific areas of study. Having said that, it gives a great overview of the subject matter. It is clearly set outin an easy to follow manner, & the information is understandable! (not a mean feat for astro books!). I would certainly recommend this book to anyone doing any space science/astronomy degree, & even to the informed reader who simply wants to learn more. A good understanding of physics is a must though (gcse-alevel) as it will not teach you ALL the fundementals. Really helpful, but don't expect it to simply dish out the answers to those seminar questions...
Really good undergraduate text - By: Colin Mair, 28 May 2001 This was the recommended text some of the lecture coursesin my Physics with Astronomy degree, & I have to say that I've returned to it time & time again.
Everything is explained clearly & all of the background knowledge you need to tackle a problem is given. It can be a bit daunting to a first-year undergraduate, although it will prove invaluablein second & third year - butin saying that, some more advanced concepts are not always developed as fully as you would expect.
Allin all though - an excellent book, & a great complement to Carroll & Ostlie or Binney & Merrifield for more advanced stuff.
Brilliant overview of modern astrophyics - By: , 28 Apr 2000 This book covers an astonishling range of theoretical & experimental astrophyisicsin a hugely readable style. This is not a book aimed at the general public, but the mathematically literate (at least A level maths/physics) wanting a deep understanding of the universe will struggle to find better. Buy it !
