Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide, Seventh Edition

This is a great introduction to astronomy, pitched somewhere betwwen a popular science book and a basic textbook. Coverage includes theory of observing (the celestial globe and coordinates, strengths and weaknesses of observing in different wavelengths etc), solar system objects, star types and lifecyles, galaxies and cosmological issues (e.g. cosmological expansion and redshift) for a beginning audience. There is some maths but it's pretty basic, and questions at the end of each chapter to test your newly acquired knowledge.Inspired me to go a bit futher with Ian Morison's excellent Introduction to Astronomy and Cosmology, which explores the same ideas but in more depth and with more of the maths. Finding this one a bit of challenge, but getting there, and Moche definiteky deserves some of the credit.

I haven't actually done and tests yet, I want to read it through and read it again and then start the tests. It is comprehensive and informative. I didn't find it excessively heavy but enjoying reading it. NB: there is a series on Netflix "the Universe" that covers most of when is in this book. So you can read and then listen to the experts explaining in more detail what your reading.

This is a comprehensive course in the theory of astronomy. If you work through the book and questions you will have a solid grounding in the subject. Probably best suited to the over 14's to Adult learner, and being able to do some practical stargazing would help. Binoculars would be fine for this you do not need a telescope.

A very accessible text and well worth purchasing for anyone embarking on an Astronomy study...[perhaps less overwhelming than Freedman's "Universe"] Good value too!

I was pleasantly surprised by how the author has managed to present a condiderable amount of knowledge without the confusing depth provided by some text-books. This is not to criticise the latter but simlpy to say I think Astronomy - a self teaching guide is a straight forward and useful place to start.