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Basic Astronomy Concepts Everyone Should Know
This eBook provides a highly visual introduction to some basic astronomy concepts that everyone should know, like explaining the phases of the moon and earth-based evidence of the heliocentric model. (See below for full contents.)
This 2015 edition is in a print replica format, meaning that it works with pinch-and-zoom. Pinch the image to zoom, and use your finger to scroll. On smaller screens, it may read better in landscape mode. The original edition was published in 2012; the 2015 print replica format allows for pinch-and-zoom reading.
There is another, newer astronomy eBook by the same author which has much more text, has more pictures, covers more topics, and has the text separate from the images so that the font can be resized. The other eBook is also much longer, as the paperback edition of that book has 186 pages.
The author, Chris McMullen, is a physics and astronomy instructor at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. He earned his Ph.D. in physics at Oklahoma State University in phenomenological high-energy physics (particle physics). His doctoral dissertation was on the collider phenomenology of superstring-inspired large extra dimensions, a field in which he has coauthored several papers.
Educators may use this material in the classroom for the purpose of teaching astronomy concepts. The photos are NASA space photos. (NASA did not participate in the writing or publication of this eBook.) In some of the images, the author combined NASA photos together to form a single, new image or added line drawings and text to the NASA photos.
Contents:
Overview of the solar system Understanding the lunar phases Understanding solar and lunar eclipses Understanding the seasons Evidence that the earth is round Ptolemy’s geocentric model Aristarchus’/Copernicus’ heliocentric model Understanding retrograde motion Objections to the heliocentric model Overcoming objections to the heliocentric model Evidence for the heliocentric model
This 2015 edition is in a print replica format, meaning that it works with pinch-and-zoom. Pinch the image to zoom, and use your finger to scroll. On smaller screens, it may read better in landscape mode. The original edition was published in 2012; the 2015 print replica format allows for pinch-and-zoom reading.
There is another, newer astronomy eBook by the same author which has much more text, has more pictures, covers more topics, and has the text separate from the images so that the font can be resized. The other eBook is also much longer, as the paperback edition of that book has 186 pages.
The author, Chris McMullen, is a physics and astronomy instructor at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. He earned his Ph.D. in physics at Oklahoma State University in phenomenological high-energy physics (particle physics). His doctoral dissertation was on the collider phenomenology of superstring-inspired large extra dimensions, a field in which he has coauthored several papers.
Educators may use this material in the classroom for the purpose of teaching astronomy concepts. The photos are NASA space photos. (NASA did not participate in the writing or publication of this eBook.) In some of the images, the author combined NASA photos together to form a single, new image or added line drawings and text to the NASA photos.
Contents:
Overview of the solar system Understanding the lunar phases Understanding solar and lunar eclipses Understanding the seasons Evidence that the earth is round Ptolemy’s geocentric model Aristarchus’/Copernicus’ heliocentric model Understanding retrograde motion Objections to the heliocentric model Overcoming objections to the heliocentric model Evidence for the heliocentric model
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2012
4 people are currently reading
354 people want to read
About the author
Chris McMullen
181 books323 followersDr. Chris McMullen has over 20 years of experience teaching university physics in California, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana. Dr. McMullen is also an author of math and science books. Whether in the classroom or as a writer, Dr. McMullen loves sharing knowledge and the art of motivating and engaging students.
Chris McMullen earned his Ph.D. in phenomenological high-energy physics (particle physics) from Oklahoma State University in 2002. Originally from California, Dr. McMullen earned his Master's degree from California State University, Northridge, where his thesis was in the field of electron spin resonance.
Dr. McMullen is well-known for:
• engaging students in challenging ideas through creativity
• breaking difficult problems down into manageable steps
• providing clear and convincing explanations to subtle issues
• his mastery of physics and strong background in mathematics
• helping students become more fluent in practical math skills
As a physics teacher, Dr. McMullen observed that many students lack fluency in fundamental math skills. In an effort to help students of all ages and levels master basic math skills, he published a series of math workbooks on arithmetic, fractions, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus called the Improve Your Math Fluency Series. Dr. McMullen has also published a variety of science books, including introductions to basic astronomy and chemistry concepts in addition to physics workbooks.
Dr. McMullen is very passionate about teaching. Many students and observers have been impressed with the transformation that occurs when he walks into the classroom, and the interactive engaged discussions that he leads during class time. Dr. McMullen is well-known for drawing monkeys and using them in his physics examples and problems, using his creativity to inspire students. A stressed-out student is likely to be told to throw some bananas at monkeys, smile, and think happy physics thoughts.
Dr. McMullen first published The Visual Guide to Extra Dimensions, Volumes 1 and 2, to share his passion for the geometry and physics of the fourth dimension. Dr. McMullen has coauthored a half-dozen articles on current and future collider searches for large extra dimensions.
In addition to writing and teaching, Dr. McMullen enjoys Scrabble, golf, and chess.
Chris McMullen earned his Ph.D. in phenomenological high-energy physics (particle physics) from Oklahoma State University in 2002. Originally from California, Dr. McMullen earned his Master's degree from California State University, Northridge, where his thesis was in the field of electron spin resonance.
Dr. McMullen is well-known for:
• engaging students in challenging ideas through creativity
• breaking difficult problems down into manageable steps
• providing clear and convincing explanations to subtle issues
• his mastery of physics and strong background in mathematics
• helping students become more fluent in practical math skills
As a physics teacher, Dr. McMullen observed that many students lack fluency in fundamental math skills. In an effort to help students of all ages and levels master basic math skills, he published a series of math workbooks on arithmetic, fractions, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus called the Improve Your Math Fluency Series. Dr. McMullen has also published a variety of science books, including introductions to basic astronomy and chemistry concepts in addition to physics workbooks.
Dr. McMullen is very passionate about teaching. Many students and observers have been impressed with the transformation that occurs when he walks into the classroom, and the interactive engaged discussions that he leads during class time. Dr. McMullen is well-known for drawing monkeys and using them in his physics examples and problems, using his creativity to inspire students. A stressed-out student is likely to be told to throw some bananas at monkeys, smile, and think happy physics thoughts.
Dr. McMullen first published The Visual Guide to Extra Dimensions, Volumes 1 and 2, to share his passion for the geometry and physics of the fourth dimension. Dr. McMullen has coauthored a half-dozen articles on current and future collider searches for large extra dimensions.
In addition to writing and teaching, Dr. McMullen enjoys Scrabble, golf, and chess.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 19, 2014
I won this book as part of the Goodreads first-read program.
This is a very basic guide to astronomy written for children. It discuses each planet and its relationship to the Sun. The book explains the heliocentric theory of how the planets revolve around the sun. Children will learn about the phases of the moon and the types of eclipses that occur. Beautifully done, but overly simplistic. Good for kids in 3rd to 5th grade. So this is a good jumping off point to begin to teach young children about the Universe we live in.
This is a very basic guide to astronomy written for children. It discuses each planet and its relationship to the Sun. The book explains the heliocentric theory of how the planets revolve around the sun. Children will learn about the phases of the moon and the types of eclipses that occur. Beautifully done, but overly simplistic. Good for kids in 3rd to 5th grade. So this is a good jumping off point to begin to teach young children about the Universe we live in.
December 15, 2014
As someone who had a great enjoyment of astronomy as a child, I found this book to be wonderful for a young (but not too young) reader who would love to learn about this kind of stuff. I love the images used, and the information was fairly easy to read with the text boxes. Some of the stand alone text could've used a stroke/border, or different color, since when it was over some of the diagrams, it was a bit harder to read.
June 3, 2014
This book is exactly as described, a very basic introduction to astronomy concepts. I agree with other reviewers who suggest this would be a good addition to an upper elementary/ middle school classroom library. I did find the background on the pages to be rather distracting, a white background would have looked cleaner and more professional. Overall, an interesting read on basic astronomy.
April 12, 2012
Whilst this did contain some great diagrams, it is a very short book (more akin to a presentation) and I didn't find it took me on a journey that explained astronomy in a manner that had me begging for more.
October 30, 2016
Easy read
Great book especially for individuals with no background. Concise and well written. My 13 year old enjoyed it. Can't beat the price.
Great book especially for individuals with no background. Concise and well written. My 13 year old enjoyed it. Can't beat the price.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews