Promotions - Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles 2023 -

Previous coauthor (with Bradley Carroll) of another well-regarded textbook, An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics (CH, Jun'07, 44-5618), Ostlie (emer., Weber State) has designed a new introductory astronomy textbook challenging students to think critically about how science discovery works. This hefty volume includes standard textbook-type supplements--such as problem sets with some of the answers provided in an appendix--but could also serve as a mini-reference book or self-study guide for a wide range of astronomical topics. This book differs from other texts in its emphasis on the historical background of virtually every new discovery or concept, often including interesting tidbits from the lives of famous (and not-so-famous) scientists. The opening chapters on the process of astronomy, also covering the astronomy of ancient civilizations, are more inclusive than might be expected. The writing style is fresh and approachable, encouraging an understanding of the nature of science as something that people do when curious about how nature works. The level of mathematics is low, but math is used extensively. This well-illustrated book includes a nice glossary and an index. An accompanying website offers tutorials and further examples as well as updates, such as discoveries from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), that came in after the book was printed.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates. General readers.

In contrast to the "government space" ethos of the 1960s that sparked the formation of NASA, the current commercial space race is less about exploration and more about the financial gains space travel might enable. This book critically analyzes the motivations of commercial space entities from the perspective of a professor of religion, science, and technology. The early commercial space flight endeavors described in the book are appropriately compared to the exploits of early colonialists who ventured into "unexplored" lands in pursuit of resources and settlement opportunities. Rubenstein (Wesleyan Univ.) also provides convincing examples of how many of the ongoing commercial space activities are not fully evaluated for various ethical issues related to space operations, including the issues raised by the prospects of, e.g., space tourism, outer space settlement, and exploitation of planetary resources. The author unapologetically describes how the commercial space flight missions currently sensationalized in the news are reminiscent of the avaricious and contentious European colonization of territories outside continental Europe. She points out, moreover, that the benefits of these high-profile space flight activities are not inclusive to all and that policy makers have not fully considered the ownership of outer space territories and natural resources extracted from other planets. Ample references support the chapters.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.

Who hasn't looked up at the night sky and wondered which stars have planets? We now know that nearly all of them do. Since the discovery of the first known exoplanet almost 30 years ago, the list of known planets circling other stars has surpassed 5,000, and new ones are added almost every day. Surprisingly, the vast majority are nothing like those in the sun's planetary system. Astrophysicist Winn (Princeton Univ.), one of the leading researchers in the field of exoplanets, offers a fascinating account of how exoplanets are detected and the extraordinary variety of known planet types. "Freaky planets" (Winn's term--see chapter 3) such as hot Jupiters, super Earths, puffball planets, and planets orbiting dead stars, e.g., pulsars and white dwarfs, challenge traditional theories of planetary formation. Complemented by clear, easy-to-understand illustrations, this is science writing at its best. Winn has produced a witty and engaging overview of a field that is revolutionizing astronomy. The book belongs on the reading list of any curious mind, not to mention the shelves of every library.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.

The planets Uranus and Neptune have not been visited by spacecraft for over three decades. The success of the New Horizons mission to Pluto several years ago and the discovery of many "ice giants" like Uranus and Neptune orbiting other stars have prompted a renewed interest in these two chemically similar planets. Kennett (independent researcher) offers a succinct, engaging, and liberally illustrated compendium. Her book begins by recounting the discovery of Uranus and Neptune, then summarizes their unique physical characteristics, including Uranus's extreme axial tilt and a huge storm on Neptune called the Great Dark Spot. Next comes a detailed discussion of the scientific results of the Voyager 2 space mission and an outline of several proposed new missions. Kennett gives special attention to the dozens of satellites and ring systems of Uranus and Neptune, each fascinating in its own right. The book concludes with tips on how readers can observe these ice giants on their own. This volume belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in the outer solar system. It makes a good companion to Discovering Pluto, by Dale Cruikshank and William Sheehan (CH, Mar'19, 56-2766). Planetary scientists and laypersons alike will find this an appealing and informative book.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.

This book tells how a boyhood interest in astronomy led to a distinguished career searching for the most distant detectable galaxies to enable exploration of the early universe. In pursuing the latter cause, Welsh astronomer Ellis (University College London) has among other important work directed the Palomar Observatory. To find far-off galaxies, Ellis helped develop and equip some of the largest telescopes on Earth and scanned distant space, observing with those giant reflectors on nearly 800 nights. He also advised planners of the newest, most powerful space observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope. Here, Ellis describes the scientific, political, and diplomatic efforts that brought those major facilities to fruition and explains how rival scientific groups vied to make the same extragalactic breakthroughs or, when it was unavoidable, combined efforts to achieve common objectives. Whereas past astronomers might have worked alone or with just a few colleagues, Ellis reveals how nowadays they often work together in groups of dozens or even hundreds of researchers who collectively offer the various distinct skills needed for such efforts. The book, lucidly written for a general, scientifically attentive readership, explains observational cosmology without resorting to mathematics and will therefore be attractive to students, teachers, and experts alike.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals. General readers.