Cosmic Perspective Fundamentals, The (3^rd Ed.)

For one-semester courses in introductory astronomy.

A brief path through astronomy that helps students gain an appreciation for astronomy and discovery in science

The Cosmic Perspective Fundamentals is the briefest introduction to astronomy in the Bennett series and supports instructors using an active or collaborative approach to teaching. By focusing on the process of science and fundamental concepts of astronomy, The Cosmic Perspective Fundamentals allows time for the use of other instructional tools in the course. Each concisely written chapter is formatted into two main sections followed by a Process of Science section, making learning targeted and expectations clear for students.

The 3rd Edition of The Cosmic Perspective Fundamentals features major scientific updates, new content that focuses on the possibility of life in the universe, and recent discoveries that provide modern contexts to help students see the relevance of astronomy to their worlds. The authors write and create a wealth of Mastering Astronomy resources that include a new Pearson eText, Dynamic Study Modules, and Interactive PreLecture videos that students can use before, during, and after class, including pre-built assignments that instructors can edit to fit the way they teach.

Also available with Mastering Astronomy:

MasteringTM is the teaching and learning platform that empowers you to reach every student. By combining trusted author content with digital tools developed to engage students and emulate the office-hour experience, Mastering personalizes learning and improves results for each student. Resources in Mastering Astronomy are written and carefully reviewed by the author team, establishing the same coherent and trusted voice as the book.

If you would like to purchase both the physical text and Mastering Astronomy, search for:

013499079X / 9780134990798 The Cosmic Perspective Fundamentals Plus Mastering Astronomy with Pearson eText -- Access Card Package

Package consists of:

• 0134988507 / 9780134988504 The Cosmic Perspective Fundamentals
  
• 0134989279 / 9780134989273 Mastering Astronomy with Pearson eText -- ValuePack Access Card -- for The Cosmic Perspective Fundamentals
  
• 0321765184 / 9780321765185 SkyGazer 5.0 Student Access Code Card (Integrated component)

Note: You are purchasing a standalone book; Pearson eText and Mastering Astronomy do not come packaged with this content. Students, ask your instructor for the correct package ISBN and Course ID. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information.

Brief Contents

1. A Modern View of the Universe
2. Understanding the Sky
3. Changes in Our Perspective
4. Origin of the Solar System
5. Terrestrial Worlds
6. The Outer Solar System
7. Planets Around Other Stars
8. The Sun and Other Stars
9. Stellar Lives
10. The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard
11. Galaxies
12. Galaxy Distances and Hubble's Law
13. The Birth of the Universe
14. Dark Matter and Dark Energy
15. Life in the Universe

About our authors

Jeffrey Bennett, a recipient of the American Institute of Physics Science Communication Award, holds a B.A. in biophysics (UC San Diego) and an M.S. and Ph.D. in astrophysics (University of Colorado). He specializes in science and math education and has taught at every level from preschool through graduate school. Career highlights include serving 2 years as a visiting senior scientist at NASA headquarters, where he developed programs to build stronger links between research and education, proposing and helping to develop the Voyage scale model solar system on the National Mall (Washington, DC) and developing the free app Totality by Big Kid Science to help people learn about total solar eclipses. He is the lead author oftextbooks in astronomy, astrobiology, mathematics, and statistics and of critically acclaimed books for the public including Beyond UFOs (Princeton University Press), Math for Life (Bid Kid Science), What Is Relativity? (Columbia University Press), On Teaching Science (Big Kid Science), and A Global Warming Primer (Big Kid Science). He is also the author of six science picture books for children, titled Max Goes to Mars, Max Goes to Jupiter, Max Goes to the Space Station, Max Goes to the Moon, The Wizard Who Saved the World, and I, Humanity; all six have been launched to the International Space Station and read aloud by astronauts for NASA’s Story Time From Space program. His personal website is www.jeffreybennett.com.

Megan Donahue is a full professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Michigan State University (MSU), a Fellow of the American Physical Society and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and President of the American Astronomical Society (2018–2020). Her research focuses on using x-ray, UV, infrared, and visible light to study galaxies and clusters of galaxies: their contents—dark matter, h