21st Century Astronomy

A textbook that facilitates learning by doing.

"21st Century Astronomy is designed for the two-semester introductory astronomy course for non-majors. The text is designed to align with the three primary goals of this course: teaching students how to understand and apply the process of science; helping students to become critical consumers of (science) news; and reinforcing very basic quantitative literacy, albeit without requiring students to do calculations. The overall goal of the course, and this text, is to use astronomy as a tool to help students become more scientifically literate"--

Influenced by astronomy education research, 21st Century Astronomy offers a complete pedagogical and media package that facilitates learning by doing, while the new one-column design makes the Fifth Edition the most accessible introductory text available today.

A detailed overview of Saturn's formation, evolution and structure written by eminent planetary scientists involved in the Cassini Orbiter mission.

Astronomy is by nature an interdisciplinary activity: it involves mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. Astronomers use (and often develop) the latest technology, the fastest computers and the most refined software. In this book twenty-two leading scientists from nine countries talk about how astronomy interacts with these other sciences. They describe modern instruments used in astronomy and the relations between astronomy and technology, industry, politics and philosophy. They also discuss what it means to be an astronomer, the history of astronomy, and the place of astronomy in society today.

Research shows that students learn best by doing. This workbook, written by two master teachers, contains 36 field-tested activities, including nine new to the Second Edition, that span the introductory astronomy course and can be used in any size classroom. Each activity is now self-contained with an introduction that provides necessary background material for students. Activities are built around a concept that leads students from basic knowledge to a deeper understanding through guided interactions. The Second Edition is supported by Smartwork5, so instructors can easily assess student understanding.