In their previous book, "Astronomy: Principles and Practice", the authors presented the principles and practice of astronomy. This book describes the universe as revealed by the application of those methods. This third edition contains additions reflecting the advances of knowledge in astronomy.

In their previous book, "Astronomy: Principles and Practice", the authors presented the principles and practice of astronomy. This book describes the universe as revealed by the application of those methods. Although the work has been published in two separate volumes, it was conceived as one book, written to fulfil the need of a preliminary science course or a liberal arts course at first year university level. This third edition contains additions reflecting the advances of knowledge in astronomy, which have been achieved by the use of spacecraft. The three major functions of this text are to describe the solar system, describe the constituents of the galaxy and deal with our own and other galaxies. Problems and exercises are included to test and improve the student's understanding. Exercises suitable for laboratory or outdoor work are also included.

Part 1 The solar system: the solar system
the sun
the Earth and its moon
the Earth-moon system
eclipses
members of the solar system. Part 2 Astrophysics: the stars - observational data
stellar atmospheres
stellar interiors
stellar motions
stellar populations - observational evidence
stars with special properties
nebulae
celestial objects observed outside the optical spectrum. Part 3 Galactic structure and cosmology: the galaxy
the extragalactic universe
cosmology
cosmogony.