Understanding Comets: An Astronomy 101 Tutorial

by Paul A. Heckert

Comets occasionally grace our night skies adding their splendor to already lovely dark clear skies. But many stargazers and comet watchers wonder, "What are comets?" If you have ever asked this question and would like a quick tutorial on comets, then Understanding An Astronomy 101 Tutorial is for you. It clearly explains the nature of comets and how to observe them.Written by a professor with a PhD in astrophysics and over 30 years experience teaching physics and astronomy, this tutorial will be useful for anyone who wants to know more about comets. The tutorial is written for students from middle school through college or for casual stargazers and comet watchers who need help understanding the basic nature of comets. It will also be useful for science teachers, for other teachers, or for home schoolers who need a quick refresher on comets. Anyone wanting to understand the basic information about comets will find the tutorial useful.The first chapter of Understanding An Astronomy 101 Tutorial provides a brief descriptive overview the nature, structure, and origin of comets. The second chapter tells beginning stargazers how to observe comets. Rather than providing soon to be outdated information on specific comets, this chapter supplies timeless tips both on learning about new comets and on observing them. Historically comets have often been seen as bad omens, and they still inspire irrational fears that they can destroy Earth. The third chapter addresses these fears and shows how claims made about doomsday comets are nonsense. Chapter 4 briefly discusses notable comets throughout history. This book's clearly written explanations are conceptual and stress understanding concepts rather than memorizing words.This astronomy tutorial covers the basic concepts needed to understand comets, yet it is brief enough to read in half an hour.Paul A. Heckert, the author of Understanding An Astronomy 101 Tutorial , earned a PhD in physics with a specialization in astronomy from the University of New Mexico in 1983. He is a professor of physics and astronomy at Western Carolina University and has been teaching college level physics and astronomy for over 30 years. As an active research astronomer, Heckert has published over 60 research articles in respected peer reviewed astronomy journals. This combination of teaching and research experience provides the expertise and skill to clearly and accurately explain difficult scientific concepts.

31 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 4, 2013

About the author

I earned a PhD in physics with a specialization in astronomy from the University of New Mexico in 1983. I am now a professor of physics and astronomy at Western Carolina University and have been teaching college level physics and astronomy for over 30 years. As an active research astronomer, I have published over 60 research articles in refereed astronomy journals. This combination of teaching and research experience provides the expertise and skill to clearly and accurately explain difficult scientific concepts.
I am married and have three grown children. When not working or stargazing, I am a very avid runner who regularly runs marathon and ultramarathon races. I also enjoy participating in service or building projects in Latin American countries including: Haiti, Guatemala, Panama, and Ecuador.