Overview

Editors:

• Hannu Karttunen⁰,
• Pekka Kröger¹,
• Heikki Oja²,
• Markku Poutanen³,
• …
• Karl Johan Donner⁴

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1. Hannu Karttunen

   1. University of Turku Tuorla Observatory, Piikkiö, Finland
      

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2. Pekka Kröger

   1. Helsinki, Finland
      

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3. Heikki Oja

   1. Astrophysics Laboratory, University of Helsinki Observatory and, Helsinki, Finland
      

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4. Markku Poutanen

   1. Finnish Geodetic Institute Dept. Geodesy & Geodynamics, Masala, Finland
      

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5. Karl Johan Donner

   1. Finnish Geodetic Institute, Helsinki, Finland
      

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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

“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)

• University of Turku Tuorla Observatory, Piikkiö, Finland

  Hannu Karttunen

• Helsinki, Finland

  Pekka Kröger

• Astrophysics Laboratory, University of Helsinki Observatory and, Helsinki, Finland

  Heikki Oja

• Finnish Geodetic Institute Dept. Geodesy & Geodynamics, Masala, Finland

  Markku Poutanen

• Finnish Geodetic Institute, Helsinki, Finland

  Karl Johan Donner

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 bookOldest 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.

• Astronomy astrophysics cosmology textbook
• Astronomy astrophysics cosmology introduction
• Astrobiology introduction
• Galactic and extragalactic astronomy
• Stellar astronomy
• Planets, stars and stellar systems
• Solar system

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