What are the best beginner books for learning Astrophysics?

[McTrastico]

Hello, I'm new to these forums so I don't really know if I'm posting this in the right spot, but I was wondering if I could get some suggestions on books to read on Astrophysics. I've been reading a couple books on String Theory by Brian Greene and a couple books by Michio Kaku, but I would really like to get more into the depth of Astrophysics in a few other books. I would also like to say, nothing too complicated, something for a new person looking into Astrophysics. Thanks

 

[cristo]

I think you'll need to be more specific: are you looking for popular science books, similar to the ones you name here, or do you want technical books on astrophysics. I'm not sure that I know of any that fall into the latter category...

 

[Kurdt]

Zeilik's "Introductory Astronomy and Astrophysics" should be a fairly small step up from Pop. sci. books.

 

[buffordboy23]

Freedman and Kaufmann's "Universe" textbook would be good. It is predominantly conceptual in nature and covers a lot of topics. You should be able to find older editions for a few bucks.

 

[McTrastico]

I think you'll need to be more specific: are you looking for popular science books, similar to the ones you name here, or do you want technical books on astrophysics. I'm not sure that I know of any that fall into the latter category...

In response to your reply, I am looking for more technical books on Astrophysics. I am really looking to learn new astrophysics for later on in my schooling.

 

[buffordboy23]

If your looking for a book that uses mathematics extensively, I recommend "An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics" by Carroll and Ostlie. They came out with a new edition within the past year, so it is a little pricey but older editions may be cheaper.

 

[Oberst Villa]

Maybe not exactly what you are searching for, but you can download it for free, so why not have a look at it:

http://arxiv.org/abs/0706.1988

Lecture notes on Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology for undergrades. Some of the equations are too hard for a newbie, just skip them and read the text.

 

[McTrastico]

Maybe not exactly what you are searching for, but you can download it for free, so why not have a look at it:

http://arxiv.org/abs/0706.1988

Lecture notes on Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology for undergrades. Some of the equations are too hard for a newbie, just skip them and read the text.

nice, thank you

 

[Heisenberg.]

McTrastico - I was at the same level with you. Plans of pursuing physics/astrophysics as a career - read I guess "laymen" physics/ astrophysics books - wanted something deeper but not too complex for one without a degree in the field?
Try Feynman's Lectures - He's interesting and from what I hear he is must read for some undergraduate physics majors in college.
Also read Stephen Hawking's A Brief History Of Time - similar to what Greene did in The Elegant Universe - but a little more complex.
Another book that fits what you want - The Road To Reality by Roger Penrose
If you have access to science journals, then Astrophysical Journal would be a given.
You would also be surprised at how many essays with varying degrees of complexity on astrophysics or related fields are on the web. A simple search would give you a plethora of information.
Hope this helps.

 

[McTrastico]

McTrastico - I was at the same level with you. Plans of pursuing physics/astrophysics as a career - read I guess "laymen" physics/ astrophysics books - wanted something deeper but not too complex for one without a degree in the field?
Try Feynman's Lectures - He's interesting and from what I hear he is must read for some undergraduate physics majors in college.
Also read Stephen Hawking's A Brief History Of Time - similar to what Greene did in The Elegant Universe - but a little more complex.
Another book that fits what you want - The Road To Reality by Roger Penrose
If you have access to science journals, then Astrophysical Journal would be a given.
You would also be surprised at how many essays with varying degrees of complexity on astrophysics or related fields are on the web. A simple search would give you a plethora of information.
Hope this helps.

I just want to say that that was a very helpful reply, I'm in the middle of reading The Elegant Universe, and about to start on A Brief History of Time afterwards, and a quick question, If I read some online essays, would It really help when I take the astronomy and physics courses in school?

 

[cristo]

If I read some online essays, would It really help when I take the astronomy and physics courses in school?

I would be very careful when choosing articles to read online: there is a lot more nonsense out there than there is real science.

 

[Astronuc]

Perhaps this would be of interest -

The Unsolved Universe: Challenges for the Future: JENAM 2002 (Hardcover)
by Mário J.P.F.G. Monteiro (Editor)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1402016735/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Robert Trotta's homepage at Cambridge might also be of interest
http://www-astro.physics.ox.ac.uk/~rxt/


With regard to on-line essays, one might wish to peruse the bibliographies of publications of university faculty members which have been published in peer review journals.

 

[malawi_glenn]

Freedman and Kaufmann's "Universe" textbook & "An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics" by Carroll and Ostlie.

Are my tips, 1st book is loot of nice pictures and phenomelogical, second is approx 1400 pages, only B&W pictures, and lots of lots of math.

 

[Kurdt]

I also Kaufman's "Universe" and would like to echo the sentiments of others about being careful with online articles.

 

[Astronuc]

Here is a good list on Stellar Astrophysics.

http://www.shef.ac.uk/physics/people/vdhillon/teaching/phy213/phy213_texts.html

some useful links

http://www.shef.ac.uk/physics/people/vdhillon/teaching/phy213/phy213_links.html

 

[mal4mac]

The Stars: their structure and evolution
R. J. Tayler (Cambridge University Press)

Great book! I read it many moons ago for a second year astronomy course. One of the best textbooks I encountered, almost up there with Feynman. Read Feynman's lectures on physics first, to get the necessary Maths & Physics background. You need to put the physics (and some maths) into astro to advance.