Fundamental Astronomy

Fundamental Astronomy is a well-balanced, comprehensive introduction to classical and modern astronomy. While emphasizing both the astronomical concepts and the underlying physical principles, the text provides a sound basis for more profound studies in the astronomical sciences. This is the Sixth edition of the successful undergraduate textbook and reference work. It has been extensively modernized and extended in the parts dealing with extragalactic astronomy and cosmology. You will also find augmented sections on the solar system and extrasolar planets as well as a new chapter on astrobiology. Long considered a standard text for physical science majors, Fundamental Astronomy is also an excellent reference work for dedicated amateur astronomers.

Now in its sixth edition this successful undergraduate textbook gives a well-balanced and comprehensive introduction to the topics of classical and modern astronomy. While emphasizing both the astronomical concepts and the underlying physical principles, the text provides a sound basis for more profound studies in the astronomical sciences. 

The chapters on galactic and extragalactic astronomy as well as cosmology were extensively modernized in the previous edition. In this new edition they have been further revised to include more recent results. The long chapter on the solar system has been split into two parts: the first one deals with the general properties, and the other one describes individual objects. A new chapter on exoplanets has been added to the end of the book next to the chapter on astrobiology.

In response to the fact that astronomy has evolved enormously over the last few years, only a few chapters of this book have been left unmodified.

Long considered a standard text for physical science majors, Fundamental Astronomy is also an excellent reference and entrée for dedicated amateur astronomers. For their benefit the introductory chapter has been extended to give a brief summary of the different types of celestial objects.

From reviews of earlier editions:

“… The wide range of expertise gives the book an authority that would be almost impossible for a single-author text … There are other aids to the reader: worked examples … starred sections in small print take the inquisitive reader beyond the general level of the book.” (Nature)

“This textbook, suitable for a university first course in astronomy, is the outgrowth of a long and outstanding astronomical tradition in Finland, and the result of an extensive collaborative effort, which included also teaching and interaction with many people. … I highly recommend this book for class use … it will be useful for professionals as well.” (Bruno Bertotti, Prometeo, Vol. 24 (3-4), 2008)

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Spherical Astronomy

Chapter 3: Observations and Instruments

Chapter 4: Photometric Concepts and Magnitudes

Chapter 5: Radiation Mechanisms

Chapter 6: Celestial Mechanics

Chapter 7: The Solar System

Chapter 8: Objects of the Solar System

Chapter 9: Stellar Spectra

Chapter 10: Binary Stars and Stellar Masses

Chapter 11: Stellar Structure

Chapter 12: Stellar Evolution

Chapter 13: The Sun

Chapter 14: Variable Stars

Chapter 15: Compact Stars

Chapter 16: The Interstellar Medium

Chapter 17: Star Clusters and Associations

Chapter 18: The Milky Way

Chapter 19: Galaxies

Chapter 20: Cosmology

Chapter 21 : Astrobiology

Chapter 22: Exoplanets

Appendix A: Mathematics

Appendix B: Theory of Relativity

Appendix C: Tables

Review

“The editors assert that Fundamental Astronomy is intended as ‘a university textbook for a first course in astronomy,’ but it will more likely be used as a reference volume in departmental and observatory libraries. The contributing authors (astronomers and geodesists) employ mathematics, especially calculus, extensively throughout the work. … The text covers all planetary science, astrophysics, and cosmology. … Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above; faculty and professionals.” (S. P. Maran, Choice, Vol. 57 (11), July, 2017)

“The overall choice of topics and the depth and breadth that this book … are essential for a great understanding of astronomy. I feel like it is as good a book as far as the basics of theory and observational astrophysics are concerned. Everything is explained clearly and where possible there are helpful diagrams, figures and photos that are there exactly when you need them. … Something that I also enjoyed a lot, was the extensive set of tables.” (AstroMadness.com, May, 2017)

About the Author

Hannu Karttunen is a Finnish astronomer and science writer. He is an associate professor at Turku University and works at Tuorla Observatory. Besides astronomical articles Dr. Karttunen has published astronomy textbooks and teaching material as well as articles for anthologies and encyclopedias. Karttunen has also produced a radio lecture series on astronomy. Hannu Karttunen received the 1998 Tieto-Finlandia Award for his book Oldest science: Astronomy Stone Age to the mission to the moon, and, in2007, the Finnish News Writers Association Tietopöllö Award for his writings and books for children and young people.

Heikki Oja is a Finnish astronomer and associate professor at the University of Helsinki, as well as the former director of the Almanac Office. Dr. Oja has written dozens of non-technical non-fiction books and appeared frequently on the radio to talk about astronomy and space research. He has received several awards for his outreach activities.