Overview

This book develops methods of computing astronomical phenomena from basic ideas. The position of a celestial body is defined by a vector, with components referred to a system of coordinate axes. The relations between various systems in regular use by astronomers are described. In cases where two systems differ in spatial orientation, they are related by a rotation matrix. These matrices are discussed in considerable detail in the mathematical notes. Other topics discussed include: Kepler's Laws and the dynamics of planetary motion, Precession and Nutation, transits of Venus and Mercury, Lagrange points. While no previous knowledge of Astronomy is necessary, it is assumed that the reader is familiar with elementary algebra, trigonometry and calculus.

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9781839522345

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After completing his BSc (mathematical physics) in 1957 and PhD (theoretical nuclear physics) in 1960 at Birmingham University (UK), Tony Evans worked on research projects at the Universities of Minnesota (USA), Copenhagen (Denmark) and Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). In 1963 he was appointed professor of physics at the Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires (Argentina), but left in 1966 due to political turmoil in the country. In 1967 he joined the Physics Department of Sussex University (UK), where he remained until his retirement. From 1980 to 2000 he worked as a part-time course tutor for the Open University. He is a member of the Institute of Physics, the Royal Astronomical Society and the British Astronomical Association. Since 2004 he has contributed annual ephemerides for three planets to the BAA for publication in the Association's handbook.

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