Explorations: Introduction to Astronomy

by Thomas T. Arny, Stephen E. Schneider

Explorations-An Introduction to Astronomy, 6th edition, is built on the foundation of its well known writing style, accuracy, and emphasis on current information. This new edition continues to offer the most complete technology/new media support package available. That technology/new media package Interactives, Animations, and introducing Connect - online homework and course management.

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

571 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Emeritus professor in the Astronomy Department at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Reviews

[Brian Fagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though the topic was unrelated to my major, I took a class in astronomy in college. I've since enjoyed both of the Cosmos series, and frequently tune in to Neil deGrasse Tyson's discussions on YouTube. For some time I've been looking for a used copy of an astronomy textbook, and I found this one at a Half Price Bookstore. I recommend it. While I didn't study it as if I'd be tested over it, I took my time with it. I think the level of science / physics presented is appropriate for the average interested reader.

Below are examples of the information presented that will likely make the journey worthwhile:

Most asteroids orbit between Mars & Jupiter.
The Kuiper belt is beyond Neptune and contains icy bodies.
Our solar system extends far beyond the planets - some comets' orbits take them 100,000 astronomical units (distance from the sun to the earth) from the sun.
1 light year = 6 trillion miles.
Our Milky Way galaxy is about 100,000 light years in diameter, containing about 100 billion stars; the star nearest the sun is 25 trillion miles or 4.2 light years away.
Earth's core is hotter than the sun's surface.
The sun's core is 27 million degrees F.
All stars, regardless of their category, have approximately the same overall composition - 71% Hydrogen, 27% Helium plus traces of heavier elements.
A supernova explosion releases more energy in a few minutes than the star has generated by nuclear burning during its 10 million year existence.
Neutron stars have a solid outer crust a few hundred meters thick, possibly flakes of iron.
The sun's velocity with regard to its movement around the center of the galaxy is about 130 miles per second, and it takes about 220 million years to complete its orbit.

[Sergey Selyutin · Rating 5 out of 5]

That's an excellent textbook that deserves a proper review. Unfortunately, I don't have time right now, but I going to write about the book's strengths (they are aplenty) and flaws (there are really very few of them) in 2022.
In the meantime, my advice is this: buy it and read it. Can't recommend it highly enough.

[Liv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this book for astronomy and loved it!

[April Villanueva · Rating 3 out of 5]

C.f.ft

[Ellie Saree · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring textbook and not written in an understanding way.

[Bernadett · Rating 5 out of 5]

highly recommend it

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

We used this for a homeschool high school elective. My son loved it!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

For an astronomy textbook (or really even a textbook in general), this is actually not a terrible read. The author is very clear in most of his explanations and seems to enjoy food metaphors (fine by me). Covers the basics of astronomy. He also has a few sassy moments which actually made me giggle.

Favorite quote: "The Universe doesn't care about our convenience"

Is it socially acceptable to have a favorite quote from an astronomy textbook? I don't even like science....

[Madison]

It is about astonomy which i LOVE.

[John (JP) · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the class I took did not cover every page of this book. I found it useful for the introduction to astronomy class I took in college. Its useful but not entertaining.