ABSTRACT

Providing a broad overview of foundational concepts, Fundamentals of Astronomy covers topics ranging from spherical astronomy to celestial mechanics, closing with two chapters that discuss elements of astronomical photometry and spectroscopy. Supplementary and explanatory notes at the end of each chapter provide references to material published in scientific journals, and solved and unsolved exercises allow students to review their understanding of the material. Broad in coverage, the book presents arguments from classical astronomy, such as spherical astronomy, that form the foundation for future work in the field.

Features:

  • Provides an introductory vision of arguments from spherical astronomy to celestial mechanics to astronomical photometry and spectroscopy
  • Presents the information at an introductory level without sacrificing scientific rigor
  • Includes worked examples, references, and Web site evaluations

chapter 1|19 pages

Spherical Astronomy

chapter 2|19 pages

Astronomical Reference Systems

chapter 3|12 pages

Transformations of Coordinates

chapter 5|22 pages

The Movements of the Fundamental Planes

chapter 6|22 pages

Dynamics of Earth’s Rotation

chapter 7|18 pages

Aberration of Light

chapter 8|18 pages

The Parallax

chapter 9|22 pages

Radial Velocities and Proper Motions

chapter 10|12 pages

The Astronomical Times

chapter 11|16 pages

The Terrestrial Atmosphere

chapter 12|18 pages

The Two-Body Problem

chapter 13|18 pages

Orbital Elements and Ephemerides

chapter 14|27 pages

Elements of Perturbation Theories

chapter 15|17 pages

Eclipses and Occultations

chapter 16|38 pages

Elements of Astronomical Photometry

chapter 17|30 pages

Elements of Astronomical Spectroscopy