Measuring the Universe: The Cosmological Distance Ladder [Paperback]

A unified treatment of the various techniques used for distance determination. The text begins by describing methods to measure distances on Earth, then gradually climbs the distance ladder to enable us to estimate the distance to the farthest objects, ending with a discussion of particle horizons within an expanding and inflationary universe. Aimed at first-year astronomy and astrophysics undergraduates, the book emphasises general physical principles rather than mathematical detail, and is enhanced and complemented by many worked examples, questions and problem-solving exercises at the end of each chapter.Introduction.- First Step: The Earth.- Second Step: The Solar System.- Third Step: Nearby Stars.- Mezzanine: The Nature of Stars.- Fourth Step: More Distant Stars.- Fifth Step: The Galaxy.- Sixth Step: The Local Group.- Seventh Step: More Distant Galaxies.- Mezzanine: Cosmic Expansion.- Eighth Step: The Universe.- Appendices: Name Index. Object Index. Subject Index.Really up-to-date, using the Hubble Space Telescope and Hipparchos results
Currently distance measurement is a hot topic in astronomy
Many worked examples, questions, and problem solving exercises, along with a comprehensive bibliography, help students
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