An Introduction to Galaxies and Cosmology

Compiled by a team of experts, this textbook introduces the physical properties and evolution of stars. Designed for elementary university courses in astronomy and astrophysics, this revised second edition has a greater emphasis on the physical and spectral properties of stars and is ideal for self-study.

This well-received textbook has been designed by a team of experts for introductory courses in astronomy and astrophysics. Starting with a detailed discussion of our Galaxy, the Milky Way, it goes on to give a general introduction to normal and active galaxies including models for their formation and evolution. The second part of the book provides an overview of cosmological models, discussing the Big Bang, dark energy and the expansion of the Universe. This second edition has been updated to reflect the latest developments and observations, while still probing the unresolved questions at the forefront of research. It contains numerous learning features such as boxed summaries, exercises with full solutions, a glossary and a supporting website hosting further teaching materials. Written in an accessible style that avoids complex mathematics, and illustrated in colour throughout, this text is suitable for self-study and will appeal to amateur astronomers as well as students.

Introduction; 1. The Milky Way - our galaxy; 2. Normal galaxies; 3. Active galaxies; 4. The spatial distribution of galaxies; 5. Introducing cosmology - the science of the Universe; 6. Big bang cosmology - the evolving Universe; 7. Observational cosmology - measuring the Universe; 8. Questioning cosmology - outstanding problems about the Universe; Answers and comments; Appendix; Glossary; Further reading; Acknowledgements; Figure references; Index.

Mark H. Jones is a Senior Lecturer and Staff Tutor in the Department of Physical Sciences at The Open University where his current research concentrates on the structure of the zodiacal cloud. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Robert J. A. Lambourne is Professor of Educational Physics, Department of Physical Sciences at The Open University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a Fellow of the Institute of Physics. In 2002 he was awarded the Bragg Medal of the Institute of Physics in recognition of his contributions to physics education.
Stephen Serjeant is a Reader in Cosmology at The Open University. He co-leads the active galaxies science theme of the ATLAS Key Project on the Herschel Space Observatory and leads Herschel's legacy survey at the North Ecliptic Pole.