Publisher's Synopsis
This book has two objectives: to describe the leading ideas and concepts of modern astronomy and to indicate how astronomy in particular and physical science in general developed - what are its methods, its goals and its limitations.
Although not a history of astronomy, the book places a stronger emphasis on history than usual in order to give the context in which major discoveries were made and attitudes were shaped, as well as to indicate how early astronomy developed. The book is based on Bob Bless's very popular liberal arts course at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, which he has taught for over twenty years.
"The book is excellent." Donald E. Osterbrock, Lick Observatory
Supplement: Instructor's Manual
