A Student’s Guide to the Mathematics of Astronomy 1st Edition by Daniel Fleisch (PDF)

Description

The study of astronomy offers an unlimited opportunity for us to gain a deeper understanding of our planet, the Solar System, the Milky Way Galaxy and the known Universe. Using the plain-language approach that has proven highly popular in Fleisch’s other Student’s Guides, this book is ideal for non-science majors taking introductory astronomy courses. The authors address topics that students find most troublesome, on subjects ranging from stars and light to gravity and black holes. Dozens of fully worked examples and over 150 exercises and homework problems help readers get to grips with the concepts in each chapter. An accompanying website features a host of supporting materials, including interactive solutions for every exercise and problem in the text and a series of video podcasts in which the authors explain the important concepts of every section of the book.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐I like this book but I returned it for a refund. The hard copy typeface was just to small to read with my 80 year old eyes…. I did however follow up with the eTextbook version and have no problem reading the book on Kindle.I highly recommend this book to any one interested in this area of STEM. It can definitely stimulate your mind to help understand the challenges of today. It also helps with getting you on an even plane with your grandchildren.

⭐In chapter 1, the authors describe the mathematical basics that are needed for so many physics problems: how to form ratios, how to use scientific notation, and how to perform dimensional analysis (so answers come out in the proper units). Then, they lead you through the concepts and standard formulas for Gravity (Newton, Kepler, and a terrific overview of the property of ellipses), Light (Wavelength, Frequency, Energy, Doppler Shifts), Parallax (Angular size and resolution), Characteristics of Stars, Black Holes and Cosmology. In each case, they step through the concepts so you gain an intuitive understanding, and also walk you through each of the applicable equations, showing how each term is used.There is no calculus in the book. The book is all about the fundamental formulas, what they mean, and how to use them. The content is up to date as far as I can tell. For example, the chapter on Light explains how astronomers use radial velocity to find the wobble of stars, and then use that wobble to predict the existence of extrasolar planets.The authors have a website hosted by Wittenburg University where they have answers to the problems, as well as video podcasts of the material. The videos themselves make up an Astronomy in a Nutshell series. I love the options they provide for getting answers to the book’s problems. You can either print a PDF of all the answers for a chapter, or you can display 1, 2, 3 or 4 hints while trying to work through the problem.The physical condition of the paperback edition is excellent. The publisher uses a heavy glossy cover, well-built spine, and thick pages. No skimping on production quality. It’s the same high quality used for the author’s paperback edition of A Student’s Guide to Maxwell’s Equations.All in all – beautifully done. The authors of this book obviously have a true desire to impart knowledge, and to do so with class and quality. I’m very grateful.

⭐Very basic, tightly worded narrative with applicable equations and examples. Sometimes the syntax is overly complicated, further complicating an already complicated explanation. Exercises are provided at the end of each section, but the answers are on the website rather than in the book — not ideal. The math for essential topics in an Astronomy 1 class are covered well. For the visual learner, however, YouTube videos — and there are many excellent ones — will still be a good idea. I’m finding, as I review my notes, that my YouTube video notes are more extensive and helpful than my notes from the book. Still, it’s a good supplemental reference, a good beginning for getting a grip on many nitty mathematical problems.

⭐Having just worked my way through ‘A Student’s Guide to Maxwell’s Equations’ by Daniel Fleisch I decided to order another book written by him. Having loved astronomy since I was young, I ordered ‘A Student’s Guide to the Mathematics of Astronomy’. This is one great book! It has a nice range of astronomical topics all explained with amazing clarity: Kepler’s 3rd Law, Doppler Shift, Parallaxes, Angular Size, Stellar Parallax, Star Luminosity, Apparent and Absolute Brightness, Magnitudes, Black Holes, and Escape Velocity among other things. Explanations include basic equations used for each topic, examples of how to use them and problems (with solutions!) to try so you can make sure you understand the topics. Equations are presented at a basic algebra non-calculus level. Concepts are very well explained.The only thing I can think of I wish the book had was a table of basic astronomical data on the inside back cover. Such things as: Mass and Radius of the Sun, Moon, and Planets. S.I. Units for 1 A.U., 1 Parsec, and 1 Light Year. Also, values for some basic constants such as the Speed of Light, Solar Luminosity, Solar Constant, Stefan’s Constant, Gravitational Constant… I eventually ended up making my own table which turned out very handy.

⭐Great book

⭐So well written with concepts so expertly explained. Why can’t more educators explain concepts this well? Just wish my high school and freshman physics classes were taught like this! Great job!

⭐Pretty good text. I am old and it has been decades since I took a math class. I bought this because Astronomy is a hobby and I want to learn as much about it I can and also keep my retired mind sharp. This book has helped me stay sharp and also helped me understand Astronomy better. I deducted one star because it says you have access to a website that has videos with further explanations. Not true. Perhaps for a student enrolled in a class at a University this is true but apparently not for someone like me who just bought it for my own purpose. However I have been able to find YouTube videos that support the lessons in the book.

⭐Mr Fleisch’s books, I have a few, are uniformly good. However, this one may be of interest to those who have little interest in Astronomy. Why? Well because the early part of the book teaches how to manage units. Unexciting, I know. Actually, what it teaches, early on, is what I would call “Dimensional Analysis”. Way, way back in engineering school someone put me onto that and has served me well since. I recommend this book for this reason irrespective of whether one has an interest in astronomy. Of course, if one has a good understanding of dimensional analysis then maybe give it a pass. Nonetheless, it is a fascinating book, as are all of Mr. Fleisch’s books in my experience.

⭐This is a great book that covers a surprising amount of astronomy using mathematics that, apart from the use of radians, does not go beyond GCSE level. I was pleasantly surprised that the author showed how to do meaningful calculations about topics like black holes and recession of galaxies without getting into calculus.The explanations of principles are good and clear. For me the explanations of calculations were more detailed than necessary but that’s fine: I skipped over many of them but others will find them helpful.Hints and full solutions are on the accompanying web-site. Those for the end-of-chapter exercises are conveniently grouped in .pdfs. Those for the in-chapter problems are separate and split into parts a, b, c etcetera, which for me, often on a phone in a café with dodgy wifi, seemed to take a long time and a lot of clicks to access. Still, the most important thing is that there are solutions to all the problems, with working not just answers, and none of this “answers to even numbers only” nonsense that some authors inflict on us self-study students.The book, and the solutions, have been carefully proof-read. I found only one mistake in the online solutions, a tiny one, and when I pointed it out to the author he corrected it immediately.Most users of this book will be juggling the book, pencil, paper, calculator and a phone or tablet for looking up astronomical data and checking their answers. Is it too much to ask that the publisher make this easier by providing a spiral binding?I got a lot of pleasure from reading this book and working the problems. It’s inspired me to follow up with a more advanced astronomy book.

⭐I looked at this a few months ago and then didn’t buy for some reason. With just over a week to go to an Open University End of Module exam, I buy it and now regret not getting this earlier. The first chapter alone was worth the cost as I now understand why ratios are used so much and how to manipulate them as well as using units and getting them correct first time. The book also has a great online facility with all the examples and questions in the book fully work out as well as great video tutorials. It doesn’t go into all aspects of astronomy of course, but what it does cover is very well explained… Oh, how I wish I had got this months ago!!!!

⭐Would give it zero stars if permitted.There are test questions embedded in the sections as well as at the end of the chapters, which, according to the preface (and on the back cover) have the answers on the book’s website (as well as explanatory podcasts promised).I cannot find this facility at all at the proposed address, so the book is virtually worthless without this component.Unbelievable!ADDENDUM:By dint of trying out other possibilities I found that if one goes to danfleish.com you will be able to access the missing online components of the book.(I do NOT think this is a suggested option in the book itself), but it DOES make the book work as it should.DJ

⭐I am taking an online course in introductory astrophysics, and (exactly like this book mentions in the preface!) I was understanding the general principles but struggling with the maths behind them; which is not surprising since I don’t have a university education and high school is some years away. This book tackles all the maths you need for this kind of course in astronomy or astrophysics (or even for your own personal interest in understanding matters like gravity for example), and so far I’ve been able to keep up with the explanations which is great. There are exercises to solve at the end of each chapter; with the solutions on the book’s website; which is a great addition, with also video podcasts. I find the book really motivating and I am happy with my purchase.

⭐This is a Gem of a book: it introduces the reader to the fundamentals of converting units, through ratios, scientific notation to full blown maths of Kepler’s Laws, Light and Spectrum fundamentals, Angular size, Black Holes, Magnitudes, Stellar Parallax, to name just some of the topics covered. Well written in an easy style by two experts in the field. Each chapter ends with the set problems that test how much the reader has absorbed on that specific topic. This book is not just for the aspiringamateur or casual astronomer but also for anyone with an interest in Physics and Mathematics or just to give your grey-matter a work-out!

Keywords

Free Download A Student’s Guide to the Mathematics of Astronomy 1st Edition in PDF format
A Student’s Guide to the Mathematics of Astronomy 1st Edition PDF Free Download
Download A Student’s Guide to the Mathematics of Astronomy 1st Edition 2013 PDF Free
A Student’s Guide to the Mathematics of Astronomy 1st Edition 2013 PDF Free Download
Download A Student’s Guide to the Mathematics of Astronomy 1st Edition PDF
Free Download Ebook A Student’s Guide to the Mathematics of Astronomy 1st Edition