Although astronomy has been studied for more than 5,500 years, astronomers say that we've learned more than 90 percent of what we know about the universe in just the last fifty. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the topic, covering all the latest advances and discoveries, including the demotion of Pluto and promotion of Ceres as planetary objects, breakthrough evidence of recent water flow on Mars, new developments in asteroid-tracking programs and new information on the nature and shape of our universe.
As a bonus, this book includes a CD-ROM with more than 200 of the most spectacular images from NASA, star maps and other tools for the amateur astronomer.
Christopher DePree, Ph.D., is an assistant professor at Agnes Scott College, where he teaches physics and astronomy. He received his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is the Director of Bradley Observatory. Alan Axelrod, Ph.D., is the author of more than 20 books, including three Complete Idiot's Guides.