Universe [with Starry Night Enthusiast CD-ROM]

by Roger A. Freedman, William J. Kaufmann III

Now in its eighth edition, "Universe" continues to clearly present the exciting discoveries in astronomy. This edition includes Starry Night Backyard and Deep Space Explorer award-winning software. Enriched with more illustrations, "Universe" remains the ideal text for all Astronomy and Cosmology courses.

Genres: Science, Astronomy, Textbooks, Reference, Nonfiction, Physics, Space

800 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Roger Burk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to firm up my knowledge of general astronomy, so I googled to find textbooks used in universities, picked this one, and read it front to back, doing the problems at the end of each chapter. It's extremely clear and logical in organization, comprehensive in scope, and easy to read. It is meant for college freshmen, physics-based, with free use of algebra, but no calculus. It does not presuppose any background in science beyond high school, and gives frequent tips, cautions, and reminders to help the reader out. It's darn close to the perfect textbook.

And yet, in the second-last chapter (Cosmology), I came to things I couldn't understand: this "cosmic inflation" idea, where the universe increased in size by a factor of 10^50 or so in a tiny fraction of a second. It's supposed to neatly explain the current large-scale appearance and composition of the Universe, but what caused it? It's attributed to an "inflation field" that seems to be otherwise undetectable, but if you ask me that's no better than saying it "just happened." And inflation is supposed to have created matter because the inflation separated matter-antimatter virtual pairs (that constantly fill the Universe, popping in and out of existence within the Heisenberg uncertainty limit) before they could annihilate, causing them to take on permanent existence. So whatever happened to conservation of mass? And the four forces of nature are said to "unify" at the high energies of the early Universe, meaning that they produce the same result. How can that be when their strengths differ so greatly? And why does gravitation require a particle to convey it when it's produced by the curvature of space? Maybe someday another text will explain these things to me.

[Dad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot about current scientific thought on the universe and our solar system, its formation, nature, and laws of operation. There is a lot of satisfaction in learning about this. My knowledge about astonomy has grown. However, I feel we must balance our scientific thought with religious belief. Knowledge doesn't just come from what meets the eye; faith bears sway as well.

[Michael Healy-Kalesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect beginners textbook for any budding astrophysicist!

[leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my textbook for a year-long introductory astronomy course. It seems satisfactory as a non-formal survey textbook and includes all topics, from the solar system to galaxies to cosmology. I didn't use the online extras except to read some additional articles during the first semester of my astro studies, didn't bother this past semester. My main complaint would be the ample size and weight of the text versus its flimsy binding. Stupid publishers.

[Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this text which accompanied my introductory level astronomy course. The book covers topics ranging from observational astronomy to characteristics of planets in our solar system to quasars and pulsars. Visually, the book is extremely attractive and the accompanying text is thorough, yet accessible.

[Astrila · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book! This was my Astronomy 1 & 2 textbook in college. I have the 6th edition.

[Daniel]

Astonomy text. See Notes for Contents

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Text book supplied for my SCIN108 class.

[Derya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making ASTR178 fun

[Leo W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent undergrad text.