- #1
Matt Jacques
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I am having a hard time finding a good book on celestial mechanics, any recommendations?
Discover the Best Books on Celestial Mechanics - Recommendations Inside!
- Context: Undergrad
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around recommendations for books on celestial mechanics, exploring various titles and their suitability based on mathematical background and depth of content. Participants share personal experiences and opinions on different texts, as well as the distinction between celestial mechanics and astrodynamics.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant recommends "Fundamentals of Astrodynamics and Applications" by Vallado, noting its comprehensive content but challenging mathematics.
- Another participant mentions difficulty in finding the recommended book in local libraries and shares their current mathematical background.
- A suggestion is made for "Fundamentals of Astrodynamics" by Bate, Mueller, and White, although the participant has not personally reviewed it.
- A participant provides details about the same Bate, Mueller, and White book, including its price and availability, and mentions another book, "Introduction to Space Dynamics" by William Tyrrell Thomson, highlighting its interesting content on jet stabilization.
- Concerns are raised about the distinction between celestial mechanics and astrodynamics, with one participant asserting that astrodynamics focuses on practical engineering aspects, while celestial mechanics deals with planetary movements.
- It is noted that many general physics and mechanics textbooks include sections on celestial mechanics, as well as some astronomy texts.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the distinction between celestial mechanics and astrodynamics, indicating a lack of consensus on this topic. Recommendations for specific books vary, with some participants supporting certain titles while others question their relevance or availability.
Contextual Notes
Participants' recommendations depend on their individual mathematical backgrounds and the depth of study they seek, which may affect the applicability of suggested texts. There are also references to the availability of books in local libraries, which may limit access for some users.
- #2
enigma
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Well,
In this thread I recommended Fundamentals of Astrodynamics and Applications by Vallado.
It does depend on the level of your math abilities and the depth which you want to delve. That book goes has pretty much anything you would want to learn about, but the math can get pretty hairy.
In this thread I recommended Fundamentals of Astrodynamics and Applications by Vallado.
It does depend on the level of your math abilities and the depth which you want to delve. That book goes has pretty much anything you would want to learn about, but the math can get pretty hairy.
- #3
Matt Jacques
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I just searched the Noble (North of Boston Library exchange) library network and no exact matches 
This was the only match, infact:
http://innopac.noblenet.org/search/...ameset&FF=tfundamentals+of+astrodynamics&1,1,
I just started Differential Equations, but I skipped Calculus III because it wasn't offered this semester.
This was the only match, infact:
http://innopac.noblenet.org/search/...ameset&FF=tfundamentals+of+astrodynamics&1,1,
I just started Differential Equations, but I skipped Calculus III because it wasn't offered this semester.
- #4
enigma
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I've heard that Bate, Mueller and White is a decent book. I haven't looked at it myself, though.
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/textbooks/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=2WWUAGCB2E&isbn=0792369033&TXT=Y&itm=1 is the book I've got.
TL1050 .V35 2001
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/textbooks/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?userid=2WWUAGCB2E&isbn=0792369033&TXT=Y&itm=1 is the book I've got.
TL1050 .V35 2001
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- #5
Matt Jacques
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A bit expensive and not at my library :(
- #6
steve stillman
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Here is one
My copy looks promising. Its called Fundimentals of Astrodynamics by Roger R. Bate Donald D Mueller and Jerryr E White, 1971, 454 pages,14$, and continuously in reprint at Dover Publications Inc. I have their hard copy winter 2004 catalog of Math and Science. You can order online at doverpublications.com. It has a altitude vs lethal radiation dose. There is a narrow window of safety at 200 miles altitude when inside metal sheilding.
A related book I like is Introduction to Space Dynamics by WIlliam Tyrrell Thomson, 1986, 315 pages, 15$, and still in reprint at DOver. I explains jet stabilization and near ground gravity turns. Very interesting.
Steve Stillman
My copy looks promising. Its called Fundimentals of Astrodynamics by Roger R. Bate Donald D Mueller and Jerryr E White, 1971, 454 pages,14$, and continuously in reprint at Dover Publications Inc. I have their hard copy winter 2004 catalog of Math and Science. You can order online at doverpublications.com. It has a altitude vs lethal radiation dose. There is a narrow window of safety at 200 miles altitude when inside metal sheilding.
A related book I like is Introduction to Space Dynamics by WIlliam Tyrrell Thomson, 1986, 315 pages, 15$, and still in reprint at DOver. I explains jet stabilization and near ground gravity turns. Very interesting.
Steve Stillman
- #7
AD
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Shouldn't there be a distinction made between celestial mechanics and astrodynamics? I thought that astrodynamics was the name given to the more practical engineering aspects of spacecraft dynamics, control and navigation. Whereas celestial mechanics is looking only a planets and their satellites and not really concerned with traveling around and between them.
BMW is decent, and it is also dirt cheap. As is Thomson, although that's more to do with attitude control and associated things, rather than celestial mechanics, I think. Dover also do another book called An Introduction to Celestial Mechanics, although it is a re-print of a text from the very early twentieth century.
A lot of general physics, and especially mechanics, textbooks have sections on celestial mechanics. And so do some astronomy texts.
BMW is decent, and it is also dirt cheap. As is Thomson, although that's more to do with attitude control and associated things, rather than celestial mechanics, I think. Dover also do another book called An Introduction to Celestial Mechanics, although it is a re-print of a text from the very early twentieth century.
A lot of general physics, and especially mechanics, textbooks have sections on celestial mechanics. And so do some astronomy texts.
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