Fundamentals of AstronomyProviding a broad overview of foundational concepts, Fundamentals of Astronomy covers topics ranging from spherical astronomy to celestial mechanics, closing with two chapters that discuss elements of astronomical photometry and spectroscopy. Supplementary and explanatory notes at the end of each chapter provide references to material published in scientific journals, and solved and unsolved exercises allow students to review their understanding of the material. Broad in coverage, the book presents arguments from classical astronomy, such as spherical astronomy, that form the foundation for future work in the field. Features |
Contents
Spherical Astronomy | 4 |
Notes | 15 |
Astronomical Reference Systems | 21 |
Notes | 38 |
Exercises | 50 |
Notes | 64 |
The Movements of the Fundamental Planes | 69 |
2 | 75 |
Exercises | 146 |
4 | 151 |
5 | 159 |
9 | 166 |
5 | 179 |
Pressure and Temperature | 190 |
Notes | 214 |
Orbital Elements and Ephemerides | 217 |
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Common terms and phrases
amplitude angle angular velocity annual aberration apparent approximately arcsec asteroids Astronomical Almanac Astronomy and Astrophysics atmosphere axis barycenter Besselian binary stars calculate celestial sphere Chapter circle components constant derive determination direction discussion distance diurnal rotation Earth ecliptic coordinates effect ellipse emission ephemerides Equation equatorial coordinates equinox Figure formulae fundamental galactic geocentric given gravitational heliocentric Hipparcos hour angle inertial instance Jupiter latitude light longitude lunar lunisolar magnitude mass mean measured meridian Moon namely node North pole Notice nutation observer occultations optical orbital elements period perturbations plane planetary position precession precession and nutation precessional precision proper motions quantity radial velocity radius reference system refraction respect right ascension satellite secular semimajor axis sidereal sin² Solar System spectral spherical stars stellar surface telescope temperature terrestrial topocentric V₁ variation vector wavelength zenith