Starlight: An Introduction to Stellar Physics for Amateurs

by Keith Robinson

This is a book about the physics of stars and starlight. The story of starlight is truly fascinating. Astronomers analyze and interpret the light from stars using photometry and spectroscopy, then inspirational detective work combines with the laws of physics to reveal the temperatures, masses, luminosities and outer structure of these far away points of light. The laws of physics themselves enable us to journey to the very center of a star and to understand its inner structure and source of energy! Starlight provides an in-depth study of stellar astrophysics that requires only basic high school mathematics and physics, making it accessible to all amateur astronomers. Starlight teaches amateur astronomers about the physics of stars and starlight in a friendly, easy-to-read way. The reader will take away a profoundly deeper understanding of this truly fascinating subject – and find his practical observations more rewarding and fulfilling as a result.

Genres: Astronomy, Nonfiction, Science

286 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Also writes as Keith A. Robinson

Reviews

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

An accesible introduction to the physics of stars. Appropriate for anyone high school and up and even a bright 7th or 8th grade student. I enjoyed it.

On a more personal note, stars are really, really cool. It's fun to think that the iron in my blood was forged in an exploded star along time ago. One of my remaining questions is: does the iron in my blood come from the remnants of one star or many stars? If anybody can direct me to an answer, I'd appreciate it.

[Alexander Temerev · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is between 3 and 4 (3.8?). Interesting, but poorly structured; starts with elementary things like scientific notation, then moves on to fairly special topics in astrophysics. Still, quite enjoyable.