The Cosmic Perspective

Description

Cover......Page 2 Title......Page 3 Copyright......Page 4 Dedication......Page 7 Brief Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 About the Authors......Page 43 Contents......Page 48 Visual Walkthrough......Page 66 How to Succeed in Your Astronomy Course......Page 78 Foreword by Neil deGrasse Tyson......Page 85 You are Here in Space......Page 93 You Are Here in Time......Page 94 Part I: Developing Perspective......Page 95 Introduction: A Modern View of the Universe......Page 96 1.1: The Scale of the Universe......Page 100 1.2: The History of the Universe......Page 129 1.3: Spaceship Earth......Page 136 1.4: The Human Adventure of Astronomy......Page 152 The BIG Picture: A Modern View of the Universe......Page 154 Summary of Key Concepts: A Modern View of the Universe......Page 156 Visual Skills Check: A Modern View of the Universe......Page 161 Exercises and Problems: A Modern View of the Universe......Page 163 2: Discovering the Universe for Yourself......Page 174 Introduction: Discovering the Universe for Yourself......Page 176 2.1: Patterns in the Night Sky......Page 178 2.2: The Reason for Seasons......Page 201 2.3: The Moon, Our Constant Companion......Page 215 2.4: The Ancient Mystery of the Planets......Page 246 The BIG Picture: Discovering the Universe for Yourself......Page 256 Summary of Key Concepts: Discovering the Universe for Yourself......Page 257 Visual Skills Check: Discovering the Universe for Yourself......Page 263 Exercises and Problems: Discovering the Universe for Yourself......Page 266 Introduction: The Science of Astronomy......Page 277 3.1: The Ancient Roots of Science......Page 281 3.2: Ancient Greek Science......Page 296 3.3: The Copernican Revolution......Page 310 3.4: The Nature of Science......Page 335 3.5: Astrology......Page 354 The BIG Picture: The Science of Astronomy......Page 362 Summary of Key Concepts: The Science of Astronomy......Page 364 Visual Skills Check: The Science of Astronomy......Page 368 Exercises and Problems: The Science of Astronomy......Page 370 Introduction: Celestial Timekeeping and Navigation......Page 380 S1.1: Astronomical Time Periods......Page 384 S1.2: Celestial Coordinates and Motion in the Sky......Page 403 S1.3: Principles of Celestial Navigation......Page 434 The BIG Picture: Celestial Timekeeping and Navigation......Page 442 Summary of Key Concepts: Celestial Timekeeping and Navigation......Page 443 Visual Skills Check: Celestial Timekeeping and Navigation......Page 447 Exercises and Problems: Celestial Timekeeping and Navigation......Page 449 Part II: Key Concepts for Astronomy......Page 463 Introduction: Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity......Page 464 4.1: Describing Motion: Examples from Daily Life......Page 469 4.2: Newton's Laws of Motion......Page 485 4.3: Conservation Laws in Astronomy......Page 496 4.4: The Universal Law of Gravitation......Page 514 4.5: Orbits, Tides, and the Acceleration of Gravity......Page 525 The BIG Picture: Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity......Page 544 Summary of Key Concepts: Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity......Page 546 Visual Skills Check: Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity......Page 553 Exercises and Problems: Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity......Page 555 Introduction: Light and Matter: Reading Messages from the Cosmos......Page 568 5.1: Light in Everyday Life......Page 572 5.2: Properties of Light......Page 579 5.3: Properties of Matter......Page 590 5.4: Learning from Light......Page 613 The BIG Picture: Light and Matter: Reading Messages from the Cosmos......Page 640 Summary of Key Concepts: Light and Matter: Reading Messages from the Cosmos......Page 642 Visual Skills Check: Light and Matter: Reading Messages from the Cosmos......Page 647 Exercises and Problems: Light and Matter: Reading Messages from the Cosmos......Page 649 Introduction: Telescopes: Portals of Discovery......Page 661 6.1: Eyes and Cameras: Everyday Light Sensors......Page 665 6.2: Telescopes: Giant Eyes......Page 673 6.3: Telescopes and the Atmosphere......Page 695 6.4: Telescopes Across the Spectrum......Page 708 The BIG Picture: Telescopes: Portals of Discovery......Page 723 Summary of Key Concepts: Telescopes: Portals of Discovery......Page 724 Visual Skills Check: Telescopes: Portals of Discovery......Page 728 Exercises and Problems: Telescopes: Portals of Discovery......Page 730 Part III: Learning from Other Worlds......Page 745 Introduction: Our Planetary System......Page 746 7.1: Studying the Solar System......Page 750 7.2: Patterns in the Solar System......Page 787 7.3: Spacecraft Exploration of the Solar System......Page 794 The BIG Picture: Our Planetary System......Page 805 Summary of Key Concepts: Our Planetary System......Page 807 Visual Skills Check: Our Planetary System......Page 810 Exercises and Problems: Our Planetary System......Page 812 Introduction: Formation of the Solar System......Page 821 8.1: The Search for Origins......Page 825 8.2: Explaining the Major Features of the Solar System......Page 832 8.3: The Age of the Solar System......Page 861 The BIG Picture: Formation of the Solar System......Page 870 Summary of Key Concepts: Formation of the Solar System......Page 872 Visual Skills Check: Formation of the Solar System......Page 875 Exercises and Problems: Formation of the Solar System......Page 877 Introduction: Planetary Geology: Earth and the Other Terrestrial Worlds......Page 888 9.1: Connecting Planetary Interiors and Surfaces......Page 893 9.2: Shaping Planetary Surfaces......Page 914 9.3: Geology of the Moon and Mercury......Page 932 9.4: Geology of Mars......Page 942 9.5: Geology of Venus......Page 961 9.6: The Unique Geology of Earth......Page 968 The BIG Picture: Planetary Geology: Earth and the Other Terrestrial Worlds......Page 985 Summary of Key Concepts: Planetary Geology: Earth and the Other Terrestrial Worlds......Page 986 Visual Skills Check: Planetary Geology: Earth and the Other Terrestrial Worlds......Page 994 Exercises and Problems: Planetary Geology: Earth and the Other Terrestrial Worlds......Page 996 Introduction: Planetary Atmospheres......Page 1008 10.1: Atmospheric Basics......Page 1013 10.2: Weather and Climate......Page 1041 10.3: Atmospheres of the Moon and Mercury......Page 1063 10.4: The Atmospheric History of Mars......Page 1067 10.5: The Atmospheric History of Venus......Page 1086 10.6: Earth's Unique Atmosphere......Page 1097 The BIG Picture: Planetary Atmospheres: Earth and Other Terrestrial Worlds......Page 1122 Summary of Key Concepts: Planetary Atmospheres: Earth and Other Terrestrial Worlds......Page 1124 Visual Skills Check: Planetary Atmospheres: Earth and Other Terrestrial Worlds......Page 1133 Exercises and Problems: Planetary Atmospheres: Earth and Other Terrestrial Worlds......Page 1136 Introduction: Jovian Planet Systems......Page 1148 11.1: A Different Kind of Planet......Page 1152 11.2: A Wealth of Worlds: Satellites of Ice and Rock......Page 1185 11.3: Jovian Planet Rings......Page 1215 The BIG Picture: Jovian Planet Systems......Page 1227 Summary of Key Concepts: Jovian Planet Systems......Page 1229 Visual Skills Check: Jovian Planet Systems......Page 1235 Exercises and Problems: Jovian Planet Systems......Page 1237 Introduction: Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets......Page 1248 12.1: Classifying Small Bodies......Page 1252 12.2: Asteroids......Page 1266 12.3: Comets......Page 1285 12.4: Pluto and the Kuiper Belt......Page 1301 12.5: Cosmic Collisions: Small Bodies Versus the Planets......Page 1314 The BIG Picture: Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts......Page 1331 Summary of Key Concepts: Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts......Page 1333 Visual Skills Check: Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts......Page 1340 Exercises and Problems: Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets: Their Nature, Orbits, and Impacts......Page 1343 Introduction: Other Planetary Systems......Page 1353 13.1: Detecting Planets Around Other Stars......Page 1357 13.2: The Nature of Planets Around Other Stars......Page 1377 13.3: The Formation of Other Solar Systems......Page 1405 13.4: The Future of Extrasolar Planetary Science......Page 1413 The BIG Picture: Other Planetary Systems: The New Science of Distant Worlds......Page 1419 Summary of Key Concepts: Other Planetary Systems: The New Science of Distant Worlds......Page 1421 Visual Skills Check: Other Planetary Systems: The New Science of Distant Worlds......Page 1426 Exercises and Problems: Other Planetary Systems: The New Science of Distant Worlds......Page 1428 Part IV: A Deeper Look at Nature......Page 1443 Introduction: Space and Time......Page 1444 S2.1: Einstein's Revolution......Page 1448 S2.2: Relative Motion......Page 1459 S2.3: The Reality of Space and Time......Page 1474 S2.4: Toward a New Common Sense......Page 1505 The BIG Picture: Space and Time......Page 1511 Summary of Key Concepts: Space and Time......Page 1513 Exercises and Problems: Space and Time......Page 1517 Introduction: Spacetime and Gravity......Page 1530 S3.1: Einstein's Second Revolution......Page 1534 S3.2: Understanding Spacetime......Page 1544 S3.3: A New View of Gravity......Page 1560 S3.4: Testing General Relativity......Page 1571 S3.5: Hyperspace, Wormholes, and Warp Drive......Page 1585 S3.6: The Last Word......Page 1592 The BIG Picture: Spacetime and Gravity......Page 1594 Summary of Key Concepts: Spacetime and Gravity......Page 1596 Exercises and Problems: Spacetime and Gravity......Page 1600 S4: Building Blocks of the Universe......Page 1612 Introduction: Building Blocks of the Universe......Page 1614 S4.1: The Quantum Revolution......Page 1616 S4.2: Fundamental Particles and Forces......Page 1618 S4.3: Uncertainty and Exclusion in the Quantum Realm......Page 1634 S4.4: Key Quantum Effects in Astronomy......Page 1651 The BIG Picture: Building Blocks of the Universe......Page 1665 Summary of Key Concepts: Building Blocks of the Universe......Page 1667 Exercises and Problems: Building Blocks of the Universe......Page 1671 Part V: Stars......Page 1687 Introduction: Our Star......Page 1688 14.1: A Closer Look at the Sun......Page 1692 14.2: Nuclear Fusion in the Sun......Page 1705 14.3: The Sun-Earth Connection......Page 1728 The BIG Picture: Our Star......Page 1745 Summary of Key Concepts: Our Star......Page 1747 Visual Skills Check: Our Star......Page 1751 Exercises and Problems: Our Star......Page 1752 Introduction: Surveying the Stars......Page 1764 15.1: Properties of Stars......Page 1768 15.2: Patterns Among Stars......Page 1797 15.3: Star Clusters......Page 1818 The BIG Picture: Surveying the Stars......Page 1825 Summary of Key Concepts: Surveying the Stars......Page 1827 Visual Skills Check: Surveying the Stars......Page 1831 Exercises and Problems: Surveying the Stars......Page 1833 Introduction: Star Birth......Page 1845 16.1: Stellar Nurseries......Page 1849 16.2: Stages of Star Birth......Page 1873 16.3: Masses of Newborn Stars......Page 1887 The BIG Picture: Star Birth......Page 1896 Summary of Key Concepts: Star Birth......Page 1898 Visual Skills Check: Star Birth......Page 1903 Exercises and Problems: Star Birth......Page 1905 Introduction: Star Stuff......Page 1918 17.1: Lives in the Balance......Page 1923 17.2: Life as a Low-Mass Star......Page 1927 17.3: Life as a High-Mass Star......Page 1949 17.4: The Roles of Mass and Mass Exchange......Page 1970 The BIG Picture: Star Stuff......Page 1976 Summary of Key Concepts: Star Stuff......Page 1977 Visual Skills Check: Star Stuff......Page 1984 Exercises and Problems: Star Stuff......Page 1986 Introduction: The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard......Page 1997 18.1: White Dwarfs......Page 2001 18.2: Neutron Stars......Page 2013 18.3: Black Holes: Gravity's Ultimate Victory......Page 2025 18.4: Extreme Events......Page 2046 The BIG Picture: The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard......Page 2053 Summary of Key Concepts: The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard......Page 2054 Visual Skills Check: The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard......Page 2059 Exercises and Problems: The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard......Page 2061 Part VI: Galaxies and Beyond......Page 2076 Introduction: Our Galaxy......Page 2077 19.1: The Milky Way Revealed......Page 2081 19.2: Galactic Recycling......Page 2095 19.3: The History of the Milky Way......Page 2121 19.4: The Galactic Center......Page 2127 The BIG Picture: Our Galaxy......Page 2133 Summary of Key Concepts: Our Galaxy......Page 2135 Visual Skills Check: Our Galaxy......Page 2140 Exercises and Problems: Our Galaxy......Page 2142 Introduction: Galaxies and the Formation of Modern Cosmology......Page 2153 20.1: Islands of Stars......Page 2157 20.2: Measuring Galactic Distances......Page 2173 20.3: The Age of the Universe......Page 2196 The BIG Picture: Galaxies and the Formation of Modern Cosmology......Page 2212 Summary of Key Concepts: Galaxies and the Formation of Modern Cosmology......Page 2214 Visual Skills Check: Galaxies and the Formation of Modern Cosmology......Page 2219 Exercises and Problems: Galaxies and the Formation of Modern Cosmology......Page 2221 Introduction: Galaxy Evolution......Page 2232 21.1: Looking Back Through Time......Page 2236 21.2:The Lives of Galaxies......Page 2242 21.3: The Role of Supermassive Black Holes......Page 2258 21.4: Gas Beyond the Stars......Page 2277 The BIG Picture: Galaxy Evolution......Page 2280 Summary of Key Concepts: Galaxy Evolution......Page 2282 Visual Skills Check: Galaxy Evolution......Page 2286 Exercises and Problems: Galaxy Evolution......Page 2288 Introduction: The Birth of the Universe......Page 2300 22.1: The Big Bang Theory......Page 2304 22.2: Evidence for the Big Bang......Page 2320 22.3: The Big Bang and Inflation......Page 2334 22.4: Observing the Big Bang for Yourself......Page 2345 The BIG Picture: The Birth of the Universe......Page 2349 Summary of Key Concepts: The Birth of the Universe......Page 2351 Visual Skills Check: The Birth of the Universe......Page 2355 Exercises and Problems: The Birth of the Universe......Page 2357 Introduction: Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe......Page 2368 23.1: Unseen Influences in the Cosmos......Page 2372 23.2: Evidence for Dark Matter......Page 2375 23.3: Structure Formation......Page 2406 23.4: Dark Energy and the Fate of the Universe......Page 2414 The BIG Picture: Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe......Page 2431 Summary of Key Concepts: Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe......Page 2433 Visual Skills Check: Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe......Page 2438 Exercises and Problems: Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe......Page 2440 Part VII: Life on Earth and Beyond......Page 2454 Introduction: Life in the Universe......Page 2455 24.1: Life on Earth......Page 2459 24.2: Life in the Solar System......Page 2489 24.3: Life Around Other Stars......Page 2503 24.4: The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence......Page 2517 24.5: Interstellar Travel and Its Implications for Civilization......Page 2531 The BIG Picture: Life in the Universe......Page 2540 Summary of Key Concepts: Life in the Universe......Page 2541 Visual Skills Check: Life in the Universe......Page 2547 Exercises and Problems......Page 2549 Appendix A: Useful Numbers......Page 2564 Appendix B: Useful Formulas......Page 2568 Appendix C: A Few Mathematical Skills......Page 2571 Appendix D: The Periodic Table of the Elements......Page 2588 Appendix E: Planetary Data......Page 2589 Appendix F: Stellar Data......Page 2592 Appendix G: Galaxy Data......Page 2594 Appendix H: The 88 Constellations......Page 2597 Appendix I: Star Charts......Page 2603 Appendix J: Key to Icons on Figures......Page 2609 Glossary......Page 2610 Credits......Page 2717 Index......Page 2732