Astrophysics Is Easy!: An Introduction for the Amateur Astronomer(The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series)

Astrophysics is often –with some justification – regarded as incomprehensible without the use of higher mathematics. Consequently, many amateur astronomers miss out on some of the most fascinating aspects of the subject. Astrophysics Is Easy! cuts through the difficult mathematics and explains the basics of astrophysics in accessible terms. Using nothing more than plain arithmetic and simple examples, the workings of the universe are outlined in a straightforward yet detailed and easy-to-grasp manner.   The original edition of the book was written over eight years ago, and in that time, advances in observational astronomy have led to new and significant changes to the theories of astrophysics. The new theories will be reflected in both the new and expanded chapters.   A unique aspect of this book is that, for each topic under discussion, an observing list is included so that observers can actually see for themselves the concepts presented –stars of the spectral sequence, nebulae, galaxies, even black holes. The observing list has been revised and brought up-to-date in the Second Edition.

Table of Contents:
Introduction.- The Tools of the Trade.- Planetary Science.- The Interstellar Medium.- Star Birth.- The Sun and Stars.- The Death of Stars.- Exoplanets.- Galaxies.- Active Galaxies.- Cosmology.- Index.

About the Author :
Dr Mike Inglis was born in Wales in the UK, but lives and works in the USA, where he is Professor of Astrophysics at Suffolk County Community College, State University of New York. His qualifications include a BSc Physics, MSc in Astronomy & Astronautics, and a PhD in Astrophysics. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, NASA’s Solar System Ambassador, a Member of the American Astronomical Society, a Member of the UK Planetary Forum, a Member of the International Astronomical Union, a Member of the Association for Astronomy in Education, and a Member of the Society of Popular Astronomy. He is the author of many books and papers including Field Guide to Deep Sky Objects, (Springer), An Observer’s Guide to Stellar Evolution, (Springer), Astronomy of the Milky Way, Vols I & II, (Springer) and Observer’s Guide to Star Clusters (Springer, currently in production). He is the Series Editor of Springer’s Practical Astronomy Observing Guides.

Review :
“It covers 16 topics from planetary astronomy to galactic nuclei. Each is presented in a self-contained chapter that introduces the phenomenology and the physics behind it and an observation list so readers with access to a telescope can locate and view objects in the category. … Undergraduate physics students will find it a useful reference on astronomical topics. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division and upper-division undergraduates; general readers.” (A. Spero, Choice, Vol. 52 (11), July, 2015)