New textbooks in Astronomyand Planetary Science fromCambridge University Pressand The Open University

http://www.cambridge.org/ouastrotexts

Produced in association with The OpenUniversity, this new set of textbooks providesthe basis for courses in Astronomy,Astrophysics, Cosmology, Planetary Scienceand Astrobiology. All the books are written bya team of experts in an accessible style thatavoids complex mathematics. They containnumerous full-colour diagrams andphotographs.

Key Features of these Books

• bulleted questions and answers throughoutsummarize and aid learning

• additional pedagogical features include boxedsummaries, brief biographies of pioneers in thefield and a glossary of terms

• a supporting website hosting additional teachingmaterials including illustrations, further exercisesand links to other Internet resources

An Introductionto the Solar SystemEdited by Neil McBride and Iain GilmourContributions from Philip A Bland • Elaine A MooreMike Widdowson • Ian P Wright

Designed for elementary universitycourses in Planetary Science, this bookstarts with a tour of the Solar System andan overview of its formation. Theterrestrial planets, giant planets andminor bodies are reviewed in detail. Over90 exercises with full solutions areincluded in the book.

ContentsIntroduction; 1. A tour of the Solar System;2. The internal structure of the terrestrialplanets; 3. Planetary volcanism - ultimaThule?; 4. Planetary surface processes;5. Atmospheres of terrestrial planets;6. The giant planets; 7. Minor bodies of theSolar System; 8. The origin of the SolarSystem; 9. Meteorites: a record of formation;Answers and comments; Appendix A. Usefulplanetary data; Appendix B. Selected physicalconstants and unit conversions; Appendix C.The elements; Glossary; Acknowledgements;Index.

2004 263 x 210 mm 412pp 66 half-tones

261 colour figures 38 tables 96 exercises

0 521 54620 6 Paperback £ 29.99

Advance Praise‘An Introduction to the Solar System is clearly written, accurate,up-to-date, well-produced and a pleasure to read. It is a first rateproduction by a team of professionals, clearly designed forteaching and up to the high standards of The Open University.The many questions that are posed throughout the text (withanswers at the back) make it an ideal teaching text. ...it is hard tofault this book and I suspect that it will be widely used inintroductory courses.’

Professor S. Ross Taylor, The Australian National University

An Introduction to the Sunand StarsEdited by Simon F Green and Mark H JonesContributions fromBarrie W Jones • S Jocelyn Bell BurnellRobert J A Lambourne • John C Zarnecki

This book starts with a discussion of ournearest star, the Sun, and then considershow astronomers go about studying thebasic physical properties and life cyclesof more distant stars. Designed forelementary university courses inAstronomy and Astrophysics, the bookincludes over 100 exercises and fullsolutions.

ContentsIntroduction; 1. Seeing the Sun;2. The working Sun; 3. Measuring stars;4. Comparing stars; 5. The formation of stars;6. The main sequence life of stars;7. The life of stars beyond the main sequence;8. The death of stars; 9. The remnants ofstars; Conclusion; Answers and comments;Appendix 1. Useful quantities and units;Appendix 2. Stellar nomenclature;Appendix 3. The 100 closest stars to the Sun;Appendix 4. The 100 brightest stars visiblefrom Earth; Appendix 5. The chemicalelements and their abundances; Glossary;Acknowledgements; Index.

2004 263 x 210 mm 380pp 20 half-tones

225 colour figures 16 tables 121 exercises

0 521 54622 2 Paperback £ 29.99

Advance Praise‘An Introduction to the Sun and Stars is a real find for those of uswho had previously despaired of finding a way to introduce themagic of "mere stars" to readers already aware of apparentlymore exotic phenomena in the universe.The illustrations are the best I have seen in this level oftextbook and have clearly been carefully selected to bring alivethe most exciting new discoveries. The accompanying textputs these discoveries into a solid context and explains theassociated physics in simple but effective terms. This book willcertainly appear on my recommended reading list forintroductory astronomy.’

Professor Anneila Sargent, California Institute of Technology

Also available from June 2004

An Introduction toAstrobiologyEdited by Iain Gilmourand Mark A Sephton

‘The diverse interdisciplinarythreads that make up the fascinating science ofastrobiology are brought together in thisoutstanding introduction to the science.’

Dr Charles Cockell, British Antarctic Survey

2004 263 x 210 mm 360pp 29 half-tones 173 colour figures

46 tables 68 exercises

0 521 54621 4 Paperback £ 29.99

An Introduction to Galaxiesand CosmologyEdited by Mark H Jonesand Robert J A Lambourne

‘The authors have achieved a greatdeal by producing a comprehensive, andcomprehensible textbook with very littlemathematics. The chapters on cosmology are bangup-to-date, and succeed in putting acrosschallenging concepts in an understandable way.’

Professor Alan Heavens, University of Edinburgh

2004 263 x 210 mm 420pp 82 half-tones 235 colour figures

21 tables 138 exercises

0 521 54623 0 Paperback £ 29.99

From July 2004'Observing the Universe: An Introduction to Observational Astronomy and Planetary Science'

Observing the Universe is a handbook for observational optical astronomy and planetary science. It introduces basic conceptsand techniques, as well as practical skills required to successfully perform observations to scientific standards.

0521 60393 5 PB £22.95

March 2004 Printed in the United Kingdom atthe University Press, Cambridge

Please order from: