Astronomy / Space Astronomy textbook recommendations for independent study

[CaptainSodom]

Always been a space buff, but E: D is taking my interest to the next level.

Can anyone recommend introductory to intermediate -level astronomy books that would be relevant to E: D. I'm not looking for a directory of star systems, but a deeper understanding of what, say, a Class IV gas giant is, what to expect to see in a star cluster, how orbits work, history and future of a brown dwarf, etc. Astronomy 101 textbooks are ok.

 

[coolguy42079]

a star cluster is well a cluster of stars. a brown dwarf is a star that did not gain enough mass to become "critical" in order for the fusion reaction to start. So a Brown dwarf is a "cold star". Most orbits are elliptical, and look more like an egg shape the a circle. In order to figure out more about an objects orbit you must watch the object make one orbit. As for Class of gas giant's that's more Astronomy 2. Oh one last thing, most colleges don't use 101 and so on. My Astronomy was 141, then Astronomy 2 was 142.

 

[CaptainSodom]

a star cluster is well a cluster of stars. a brown dwarf is a star that did not gain enough mass to become "critical" in order for the fusion reaction to start. So a Brown dwarf is a "cold star". Most orbits are elliptical, and look more like an egg shape the a circle. In order to figure out more about an objects orbit you must watch the object make one orbit. As for Class of gas giant's that's more Astronomy 2. Oh one last thing, most colleges don't use 101 and so on. My Astronomy was 141, then Astronomy 2 was 142.

I wasn't looking for answers to the questions I posed (I knew them already), but book recommendations... Can be textbooks, or (not necessarily entirely technical) "regular" books.

 

[Zieman]

Maybe visiting the local library wouldn't be a bad idea? Browse the sciences/astronomy section and try a few books. Recent publishings may have more accurate info, especially about the more recent discoveries.

 

[coolguy42079]

Maybe visiting the local library wouldn't be a bad idea? Browse the sciences/astronomy section and try a few books. Recent publishings may have more accurate info, especially about the more recent discoveries.

I would agree. College books are expensive. I have payed over $500 for 3 college books. Check your local library, and they would probably be free for you to barrow.

 

[edd]

I've seen the following used as introductory to more intermediate books at universities:
Universe, Freedman Gellar and Kaufmann (the most basic of the books I'm listing, I think)
Introductory Astronomy & Astrophysics, Zeilek and Gregory
An Introduction to Modern Astronomy, Carroll and Ostlie (these latter two expect a fair bit more baseline physics knowledge and are more maths heavy IIRC, not had to pick either up in a couple of years though)

All three will go beyond solar and galactic physics to wider universe stuff as well, but that'll probably still interest you

I'd start with Universe, see if you can get a second hand one.

edit to add: Oh and I just found this - http://astronomynotes.com - not the prettiest website, but seems to be solid content?

 

[CaptainSodom]

Library is probably not really an option as I don't speak the language of the natives here.

I've seen the following used as introductory to more intermediate books at universities:
Universe, Freedman Gellar and Kaufmann (the most basic of the books I'm listing, I think)
Introductory Astronomy & Astrophysics, Zeilek and Gregory
An Introduction to Modern Astronomy, Carroll and Ostlie (these latter two expect a fair bit more baseline physics knowledge and are more maths heavy IIRC, not had to pick either up in a couple of years though)

All three will go beyond solar and galactic physics to wider universe stuff as well, but that'll probably still interest you

I'd start with Universe, see if you can get a second hand one.

edit to add: Oh and I just found this - http://astronomynotes.com - not the prettiest website, but seems to be solid content?

Thank you! Universe seems to be perfect for my needs.

 

[Kay Ross]

If you do want to get more into the mathematical side of things, I'd second the recommendation for Carroll and Ostlie's "An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics". It's a heavy book, and covers most topics. It got me through most of my undergraduate astrophysics and cosmology.