The most comprehensive book ever written on the Andromeda Galaxy is here! Written for the serious amateur, fully illustrated with beautiful color photographs, a complete history and the latest research findings. Help and guidance is provided for the amateur astronomer. This book is destined to become a standard reference book in astronomy.
The Andromeda Galaxy – Messier’s M31 – has an almost romantic appeal. It is the most distant object and the only extragalactic object that is visible to the unaided human eye. Now known to be about 21⁄2 million light-years away, it appears in the sky to be several times the width of the full Moon under good seeing conditions. The Andromeda Galaxy and the Rise of Modern Astronomy examines the astronomical studies of Andromeda and its importance to our developing knowledge of the universe. The book discusses how M31 was described both by the Ancients, but more importantly, by astronomers from the nineteenth century to the present. While at the start of the twentieth century the universe was thought of as a finite cosmos dominated by the Milky Way, the study of Andromeda galaxy shattered that image, leading ultimately to the conception of an infinite universe of countless galaxies and vast distances. Even today, M31 is a major focal point for new astronomical discoveries, and it also remains one of the most popular (and rewarding) celestial objects for amateur astronomers to observe and study. This book reveals the little-known history of M31 and the scientists who study it. For all who are interested in astronomy, the skies, and perhaps even the origins of the universe, The Andromeda Galaxy and the Rise of Modern Astronomy provides a first-of-its-kind accessible, informative, and highly readable account of how the study and observation of this celestial object has driven the development of astronomy from ancient times to the present.
Whether you're a novice or an experienced amateur astronomer, The Rough Guide to the Universe is an indispensable book. Giving both a guide to the universe and an accessible overview of the science of astronomy, the Rough Guide features: bull; Concise information on every planet in the solar system, as well as the sun, moon, asteroids and comets. bull; Practical advice on observing the planets and stars, with binoculars, telescopes and the naked eye. bull; Incisive explanations of the latest theories about how the universe began and how it might end, the formation of galaxies and galaxy clusters, and weird concepts such as dark matter, worm holes and superstrings. bull; Dozens of photographs, plus star charts of every constellation, showing the night sky in the Northern and the Southern hemispheres. bull; Detailed listings of star clubs, planetariums, "deep sky " sites and Internet resources. John Scalzi is a writer and backyard astronomer who views the universe from the dark skies of Ohio's Amish Country.
**This is the chapter slice "Galaxies" from the full lesson plan "Galaxies & The Universe"** Get the big picture about Galaxies and our Universe. From the smallest particles of matter to the biggest star system, our universe is made up of all things that exist in space. Our resource takes you through the Milky Way Galaxy, Black Holes and Gravity, then on to Nebulae, Sources of Light and the Speed of Light, and finally to Quasars, the most distant objects in the universe. Written using simplified language and vocabulary, our resource presents science concepts in a way that makes them accessible to students and easier to understand. Comprised of reading passages, student activities for before and after reading, hands-on activities, and color mini posters, our resource can be used effectively for test prep, whole-class, small group and independent work. All of our content is aligned to your State Standards and are written to Bloom's Taxonomy and STEM initiatives.
Explore the mysteries of the cosmos in this fascinating guide by leading NASA astronomer and educator Sten Odenwald. Have you ever wondered how the first stars were born? Or pondered what really happens around a black hole? Here Sten Odenwald answers these questions and many more as he takes you on a mesmerizing journey across the entire history of the universe. You will learn about the composition of planets, galaxy mergers, asteroid belts, the fundamental nature of spacetime, and much, much more. Discovering the Universe reveals the secrets behind subjects as varied as the Big Bang, dark matter, the life cycle of stars, and the nature of planets both inside and outside our solar system. Beautifully illustrated throughout with stunning photos as well as a range of diagrams and infographics to aid understanding, there has never been a better time to get into cosmology. ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus' Discovering... series brings together spectacular hardback guides which explore the science behind our world, brought to life by eye-catching photography.
