Astronomy for the Inquisitive

This book does not require special training — only curiosity and school knowledge of physics. You will journey from the very basics to the forefront of science: where do astronomers work and what hinders them? How do they measure distances to stars? Why do we need time zones and GPS satellite systems? You will visit Venus with its greenhouse effect and Mars with signs of erosion. You will learn what the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram is, what the interstellar medium consists of, how to search for exoplanets, and whether life is possible beyond Earth. From solar eclipses and Kepler's laws to the accelerated expansion of the Universe and its future — all modern astronomy in one lively and engaging book. The edition is supplemented with reference appendices: problems, tables of physical and astronomical constants, views of the night sky, systems of units, and topics for reports and observations. The perfect book for schoolchildren, students, and anyone who wants to truly understand the starry sky above.