astronomy-4.1.pdf - 1 Astronomy Collection edited by:...

Astronomy
Collection edited by: OpenStax Astronomy
Content authors: OpenStax Astronomy and OpenStax Chemistry
Online: < >
This selection and arrangement of content as a collection is copyrighted by OpenStax Astronomy.
Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0
Collection structure revised: 2016/08/02
PDF Generated: 2016/08/02 15:23:23
For copyright and attribution information for the modules contained in this collection, see the " Attributions "
section at the end of the collection.
1

This OpenStax book is available for free at

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface 1
1
Science and the Universe: A Brief Tour 11
1.1 The Nature of Astronomy 13
1.2 The Nature of Science 14
1.3 The Laws of Nature 15
1.4 Numbers in Astronomy 16
1.5 Consequences of Light Travel Time 17
1.6 A Tour of the Universe 18
1.7 The Universe on the Large Scale 23
1.8 The Universe of the Very Small 26
1.9 A Conclusion and a Beginning 27
2
Observing the Sky: The Birth of Astronomy 31
2.1 Thinking Ahead 31
2.2 The Sky Above 31
2.3 Ancient Astronomy 31
2.4 Astrology and Astronomy 31
2.5 The Birth of Modern Astronomy 31
3
Orbits and Gravity 33
3.1 Thinking Ahead 33
3.2 The Laws of Planetary Motion 33
3.3 Newton's Great Synthesis 33
3.4 Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation 33
3.5 Orbits in the Solar System 33
3.6 Motions of Satellites and Spacecraft 33
3.7 Gravity with More Than Two Bodies 33
4
Earth, Moon, and Sky 35
4.1 Thinking Ahead 35
4.2 Earth and Sky 35
4.3 The Seasons 35
4.4 Keeping Time 35
4.5 The Calendar 35
4.6 Phases and Motions of the Moon 35
4.7 Ocean Tides and the Moon 35
4.8 Eclipses of the Sun and Moon 35

5
Radiation and Spectra 37
5.1 Thinking Ahead 37
5.2 The Behavior of Light 37
5.3 The Electromagnetic Spectrum 37
5.4 Spectroscopy in Astronomy 37
5.5 The Structure of the Atom 37
5.6 Formation of Spectral Lines 37
5.7 The Doppler Effect 37
6
Astronomical Instruments 39
6.1 Thinking Ahead 39
6.2 Telescopes 39
6.3 Telescopes Today 39
6.4 Visible-Light Detectors and Instruments 39
6.5 Radio Telescopes 39
6.6 The Future of Large Telescopes 39
7
Other Worlds: An Introduction to the Solar System 41
7.1 Thinking Ahead 41
7.2 Overview of Our Planetary System 41
7.3 Composition and Structure of Planets 41
7.4 Dating Planetary Surfaces 41
7.5 Origin of the Solar System 41
8
Earth as a Planet 43
8.1 Thinking Ahead 43
8.2 The Global Perspective 43
8.3 The Crust of the Earth 43
8.4 The Earth's Atmosphere 43
8.5 Life and Chemical Evolution 43
8.6 Cosmic Influences on the Evolution of the Earth 43
9
Cratered Worlds 45
9.1 Thinking Ahead 45
9.2 General Properties of the Moon 45
9.3 The Lunar Surface 45
9.4 Impact Craters 45
9.5 The Origin of the Moon 45
9.6 Mercury 45
This OpenStax book is available for free at

10
Earth-Like Planets: Venus and Mars 47
10.1 Thinking Ahead 47
10.2 The Nearest Planets: An Overview 47
10.3 The Geology of Venus 47
10.4 The Massive Atmosphere of Venus 47
10.5 The Geology of Mars 47
10.6 Water and Life on Mars 47
10.7 Divergent Planetary Evolution 47
11
The Giant Planets 49
11.1 Thinking Ahead 49
11.2 Exploring the Outer Solar System 49
11.3 The Giant Planets 49
11.4