Overview

The book Astro4U: An Introduction to the Science of the Cosmos excites students about the grandeur of astronomy and how the universe functions. Filled with vibrant figures and informative tables that support the written text, the book has a fresh, casual, student-friendly tone that dramatically increases interest in the material while also making it more accessible. The book provides a college-level description of science, with astronomy serving as the vehicle of delivery for displaying the scientific model. The content follows a traditional progression, beginning with a study of the sky, followed by discussions of ancient and medieval astronomy, modern scientific practices, and key physical principles. Chapters move through the Solar System, stars, then galaxies, and finally the cosmos as a whole. The book presents astronomy as the story of light and gravity, crucial threads that run through the text. Chapters include Ponder Sections—in-depth, quantitative passages dealing with particular applications of interest such as “space junk”, the solar energy budget, and light travel time. Appendices provide information about physical constants, astronomical symbols, and multiple choice problem sets. Because students often express concern about the math content in astronomy classes, the book begins with a chapter entitled “Astro Maths” that reviews all the mathematical skills and concepts needed to complete the course. This up-front investment increases student confidence, eliminates one of the primary blocks students face, and improves chances for student achievement and success. Astro4U is written for general education survey courses in astronomy that are geared toward non-science majors.

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9781516506781

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Richard Ignace is an astrophysicist who holds a Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Wisconsin and an M.A. in physics. He spent three years as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. Dr. Ignace is a professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy and the director of Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities in the Honors College at East Tennessee State University. His primary area of research is stellar astrophysics, particularly in the areas of theoretical modeling and observational astronomy using primarily NASA's orbiting telescopes. Dr. Ignace seeks to increase understanding of stellar winds, and for this work he has received grants from NASA and the National Science Foundation. He has published extensively in professional astronomy journals, and has nearly two hundred writing credits to his name.

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