Skip to Content
OpenStax Logo
Astronomy

Index

AstronomyIndex
  1. Preface
  2. 1 Science and the Universe: A Brief Tour
    1. Introduction
    2. 1.1 The Nature of Astronomy
    3. 1.2 The Nature of Science
    4. 1.3 The Laws of Nature
    5. 1.4 Numbers in Astronomy
    6. 1.5 Consequences of Light Travel Time
    7. 1.6 A Tour of the Universe
    8. 1.7 The Universe on the Large Scale
    9. 1.8 The Universe of the Very Small
    10. 1.9 A Conclusion and a Beginning
    11. For Further Exploration
  3. 2 Observing the Sky: The Birth of Astronomy
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 2.1 The Sky Above
    3. 2.2 Ancient Astronomy
    4. 2.3 Astrology and Astronomy
    5. 2.4 The Birth of Modern Astronomy
    6. Key Terms
    7. Summary
    8. For Further Exploration
    9. Collaborative Group Activities
    10. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  4. 3 Orbits and Gravity
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion
    3. 3.2 Newton’s Great Synthesis
    4. 3.3 Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation
    5. 3.4 Orbits in the Solar System
    6. 3.5 Motions of Satellites and Spacecraft
    7. 3.6 Gravity with More Than Two Bodies
    8. Key Terms
    9. Summary
    10. For Further Exploration
    11. Collaborative Group Activities
    12. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  5. 4 Earth, Moon, and Sky
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 4.1 Earth and Sky
    3. 4.2 The Seasons
    4. 4.3 Keeping Time
    5. 4.4 The Calendar
    6. 4.5 Phases and Motions of the Moon
    7. 4.6 Ocean Tides and the Moon
    8. 4.7 Eclipses of the Sun and Moon
    9. Key Terms
    10. Summary
    11. For Further Exploration
    12. Collaborative Group Activities
    13. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  6. 5 Radiation and Spectra
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 5.1 The Behavior of Light
    3. 5.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
    4. 5.3 Spectroscopy in Astronomy
    5. 5.4 The Structure of the Atom
    6. 5.5 Formation of Spectral Lines
    7. 5.6 The Doppler Effect
    8. Key Terms
    9. Summary
    10. For Further Exploration
    11. Collaborative Group Activities
    12. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  7. 6 Astronomical Instruments
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 6.1 Telescopes
    3. 6.2 Telescopes Today
    4. 6.3 Visible-Light Detectors and Instruments
    5. 6.4 Radio Telescopes
    6. 6.5 Observations outside Earth’s Atmosphere
    7. 6.6 The Future of Large Telescopes
    8. Key Terms
    9. Summary
    10. For Further Exploration
    11. Collaborative Group Activities
    12. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  8. 7 Other Worlds: An Introduction to the Solar System
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System
    3. 7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets
    4. 7.3 Dating Planetary Surfaces
    5. 7.4 Origin of the Solar System
    6. Key Terms
    7. Summary
    8. For Further Exploration
    9. Collaborative Group Activities
    10. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  9. 8 Earth as a Planet
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 8.1 The Global Perspective
    3. 8.2 Earth’s Crust
    4. 8.3 Earth’s Atmosphere
    5. 8.4 Life, Chemical Evolution, and Climate Change
    6. 8.5 Cosmic Influences on the Evolution of Earth
    7. Key Terms
    8. Summary
    9. For Further Exploration
    10. Collaborative Group Activities
    11. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  10. 9 Cratered Worlds
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 9.1 General Properties of the Moon
    3. 9.2 The Lunar Surface
    4. 9.3 Impact Craters
    5. 9.4 The Origin of the Moon
    6. 9.5 Mercury
    7. Key Terms
    8. Summary
    9. For Further Exploration
    10. Collaborative Group Activities
    11. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  11. 10 Earthlike Planets: Venus and Mars
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 10.1 The Nearest Planets: An Overview
    3. 10.2 The Geology of Venus
    4. 10.3 The Massive Atmosphere of Venus
    5. 10.4 The Geology of Mars
    6. 10.5 Water and Life on Mars
    7. 10.6 Divergent Planetary Evolution
    8. Key Terms
    9. Summary
    10. For Further Exploration
    11. Collaborative Group Activities
    12. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  12. 11 The Giant Planets
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets
    3. 11.2 The Giant Planets
    4. 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets
    5. Key Terms
    6. Summary
    7. For Further Exploration
    8. Collaborative Group Activities
    9. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  13. 12 Rings, Moons, and Pluto
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 12.1 Ring and Moon Systems Introduced
    3. 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter
    4. 12.3 Titan and Triton
    5. 12.4 Pluto and Charon
    6. 12.5 Planetary Rings
    7. Key Terms
    8. Summary
    9. For Further Exploration
    10. Collaborative Group Activities
    11. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  14. 13 Comets and Asteroids: Debris of the Solar System
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 13.1 Asteroids
    3. 13.2 Asteroids and Planetary Defense
    4. 13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets
    5. 13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects
    6. Key Terms
    7. Summary
    8. For Further Exploration
    9. Collaborative Group Activities
    10. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  15. 14 Cosmic Samples and the Origin of the Solar System
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 14.1 Meteors
    3. 14.2 Meteorites: Stones from Heaven
    4. 14.3 Formation of the Solar System
    5. 14.4 Comparison with Other Planetary Systems
    6. 14.5 Planetary Evolution
    7. Key Terms
    8. Summary
    9. For Further Exploration
    10. Collaborative Group Activities
    11. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  16. 15 The Sun: A Garden-Variety Star
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 15.1 The Structure and Composition of the Sun
    3. 15.2 The Solar Cycle
    4. 15.3 Solar Activity above the Photosphere
    5. 15.4 Space Weather
    6. Key Terms
    7. Summary
    8. For Further Exploration
    9. Collaborative Group Activities
    10. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  17. 16 The Sun: A Nuclear Powerhouse
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 16.1 Sources of Sunshine: Thermal and Gravitational Energy
    3. 16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity
    4. 16.3 The Solar Interior: Theory
    5. 16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations
    6. Key Terms
    7. Summary
    8. For Further Exploration
    9. Collaborative Group Activities
    10. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  18. 17 Analyzing Starlight
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 17.1 The Brightness of Stars
    3. 17.2 Colors of Stars
    4. 17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs)
    5. 17.4 Using Spectra to Measure Stellar Radius, Composition, and Motion
    6. Key Terms
    7. Summary
    8. For Further Exploration
    9. Collaborative Group Activities
    10. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  19. 18 The Stars: A Celestial Census
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 18.1 A Stellar Census
    3. 18.2 Measuring Stellar Masses
    4. 18.3 Diameters of Stars
    5. 18.4 The H–R Diagram
    6. Key Terms
    7. Summary
    8. For Further Exploration
    9. Collaborative Group Activities
    10. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  20. 19 Celestial Distances
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 19.1 Fundamental Units of Distance
    3. 19.2 Surveying the Stars
    4. 19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances
    5. 19.4 The H–R Diagram and Cosmic Distances
    6. Key Terms
    7. Summary
    8. For Further Exploration
    9. Collaborative Group Activities
    10. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  21. 20 Between the Stars: Gas and Dust in Space
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 20.1 The Interstellar Medium
    3. 20.2 Interstellar Gas
    4. 20.3 Cosmic Dust
    5. 20.4 Cosmic Rays
    6. 20.5 The Life Cycle of Cosmic Material
    7. 20.6 Interstellar Matter around the Sun
    8. Key Terms
    9. Summary
    10. For Further Exploration
    11. Collaborative Group Activities
    12. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  22. 21 The Birth of Stars and the Discovery of Planets outside the Solar System
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 21.1 Star Formation
    3. 21.2 The H–R Diagram and the Study of Stellar Evolution
    4. 21.3 Evidence That Planets Form around Other Stars
    5. 21.4 Planets beyond the Solar System: Search and Discovery
    6. 21.5 Exoplanets Everywhere: What We Are Learning
    7. 21.6 New Perspectives on Planet Formation
    8. Key Terms
    9. Summary
    10. For Further Exploration
    11. Collaborative Group Activities
    12. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  23. 22 Stars from Adolescence to Old Age
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 22.1 Evolution from the Main Sequence to Red Giants
    3. 22.2 Star Clusters
    4. 22.3 Checking Out the Theory
    5. 22.4 Further Evolution of Stars
    6. 22.5 The Evolution of More Massive Stars
    7. Key Terms
    8. Summary
    9. For Further Exploration
    10. Collaborative Group Activities
    11. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  24. 23 The Death of Stars
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 23.1 The Death of Low-Mass Stars
    3. 23.2 Evolution of Massive Stars: An Explosive Finish
    4. 23.3 Supernova Observations
    5. 23.4 Pulsars and the Discovery of Neutron Stars
    6. 23.5 The Evolution of Binary Star Systems
    7. 23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts
    8. Key Terms
    9. Summary
    10. For Further Exploration
    11. Collaborative Group Activities
    12. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  25. 24 Black Holes and Curved Spacetime
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 24.1 Introducing General Relativity
    3. 24.2 Spacetime and Gravity
    4. 24.3 Tests of General Relativity
    5. 24.4 Time in General Relativity
    6. 24.5 Black Holes
    7. 24.6 Evidence for Black Holes
    8. 24.7 Gravitational Wave Astronomy
    9. Key Terms
    10. Summary
    11. For Further Exploration
    12. Collaborative Group Activities
    13. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  26. 25 The Milky Way Galaxy
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 25.1 The Architecture of the Galaxy
    3. 25.2 Spiral Structure
    4. 25.3 The Mass of the Galaxy
    5. 25.4 The Center of the Galaxy
    6. 25.5 Stellar Populations in the Galaxy
    7. 25.6 The Formation of the Galaxy
    8. Key Terms
    9. Summary
    10. For Further Exploration
    11. Collaborative Group Activities
    12. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  27. 26 Galaxies
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 26.1 The Discovery of Galaxies
    3. 26.2 Types of Galaxies
    4. 26.3 Properties of Galaxies
    5. 26.4 The Extragalactic Distance Scale
    6. 26.5 The Expanding Universe
    7. Key Terms
    8. Summary
    9. For Further Exploration
    10. Collaborative Group Activities
    11. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  28. 27 Active Galaxies, Quasars, and Supermassive Black Holes
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 27.1 Quasars
    3. 27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are
    4. 27.3 Quasars as Probes of Evolution in the Universe
    5. Key Terms
    6. Summary
    7. For Further Exploration
    8. Collaborative Group Activities
    9. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  29. 28 The Evolution and Distribution of Galaxies
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 28.1 Observations of Distant Galaxies
    3. 28.2 Galaxy Mergers and Active Galactic Nuclei
    4. 28.3 The Distribution of Galaxies in Space
    5. 28.4 The Challenge of Dark Matter
    6. 28.5 The Formation and Evolution of Galaxies and Structure in the Universe
    7. Key Terms
    8. Summary
    9. For Further Exploration
    10. Collaborative Group Activities
    11. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  30. 29 The Big Bang
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 29.1 The Age of the Universe
    3. 29.2 A Model of the Universe
    4. 29.3 The Beginning of the Universe
    5. 29.4 The Cosmic Microwave Background
    6. 29.5 What Is the Universe Really Made Of?
    7. 29.6 The Inflationary Universe
    8. 29.7 The Anthropic Principle
    9. Key Terms
    10. Summary
    11. For Further Exploration
    12. Collaborative Group Activities
    13. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  31. 30 Life in the Universe
    1. Thinking Ahead
    2. 30.1 The Cosmic Context for Life
    3. 30.2 Astrobiology
    4. 30.3 Searching for Life beyond Earth
    5. 30.4 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
    6. Key Terms
    7. Summary
    8. For Further Exploration
    9. Collaborative Group Activities
    10. Exercises
      1. Review Questions
      2. Thought Questions
      3. Figuring for Yourself
  32. A | How to Study for an Introductory Astronomy Class
  33. B | Astronomy Websites, Images, and Apps
  34. C | Scientific Notation
  35. D | Units Used in Science
  36. E | Some Useful Constants for Astronomy
  37. F | Physical and Orbital Data for the Planets
  38. G | Selected Moons of the Planets
  39. H | Future Total Eclipses
  40. I | The Nearest Stars, Brown Dwarfs, and White Dwarfs
  41. J | The Brightest Twenty Stars
  42. K | The Chemical Elements
  43. L | The Constellations
  44. M | Star Chart and Sky Event Resources
  45. Index
Symbols
21-cm line20.2 Interstellar Gas, 25.2 Spiral Structure, 26.4 The Extragalactic Distance Scale
3C 27327.1 Quasars, 27.1 Quasars
A
absorption spectrum5.3 Spectroscopy in Astronomy
accelerate2.4 The Birth of Modern Astronomy
accretion14.3 Formation of the Solar System
accretion disk24.6 Evidence for Black Holes, 27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are, 27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are, 27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are, 27.3 Quasars as Probes of Evolution in the Universe
active galactic nuclei (AGN)27.1 Quasars
active galaxies27.1 Quasars
active region15.3 Solar Activity above the Photosphere
Adams3.6 Gravity with More Than Two Bodies
adaptive optics6.2 Telescopes Today
afterglow23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts
Alcor18.2 Measuring Stellar Masses
Algol18.3 Diameters of Stars, 18.3 Diameters of Stars
Allen Telescope Array30.4 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Alpha Centauri5.1 The Behavior of Light, 18.1 A Stellar Census, 19.2 Surveying the Stars, 19.2 Surveying the Stars, 19.2 Surveying the Stars
Alpher29.3 The Beginning of the Universe, 29.4 The Cosmic Microwave Background
Amino acids30.2 Astrobiology
Andromeda galaxy1.7 The Universe on the Large Scale, 1.7 The Universe on the Large Scale, 25.5 Stellar Populations in the Galaxy, 25.6 The Formation of the Galaxy, 25.6 The Formation of the Galaxy, 26.2 Types of Galaxies, 26.3 Properties of Galaxies, 27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are, 28.1 Observations of Distant Galaxies, 28.3 The Distribution of Galaxies in Space
angular momentum3.2 Newton’s Great Synthesis
Ant NebulaThinking Ahead
anthropic principle29.7 The Anthropic Principle
antimatter16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity, 29.3 The Beginning of the Universe, 29.7 The Anthropic Principle
antiparticle16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity
apertures6.1 Telescopes
aphelion3.4 Orbits in the Solar System
apogee3.4 Orbits in the Solar System
Apollo program9.1 General Properties of the Moon
apparent brightness17.1 The Brightness of Stars, 17.2 Colors of Stars
apparent magnitudes2.2 Ancient Astronomy
apparent solar time4.3 Keeping Time
Arecibo Observatory6.4 Radio Telescopes
Aristarchus2.2 Ancient Astronomy
Aristotle2.2 Ancient Astronomy
Armstrong9.2 The Lunar Surface
association22.2 Star Clusters
asteroid belt3.4 Orbits in the Solar System, 11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets, 13.1 Asteroids
asteroids7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 12.4 Pluto and Charon, 13.1 Asteroids, 13.1 Asteroids, 13.1 Asteroids, 13.1 Asteroids, 13.1 Asteroids, 13.2 Asteroids and Planetary Defense, 14.2 Meteorites: Stones from Heaven, 14.3 Formation of the Solar System, 14.5 Planetary Evolution
astrobiology30.2 Astrobiology
astrology2.3 Astrology and Astronomy
astronomical unit19.1 Fundamental Units of Distance
astronomical unit (AU)3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion
astronomy1.1 The Nature of Astronomy
Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array6.4 Radio Telescopes
atmosphere11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets, 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets
aurora15.4 Space Weather
auroras15.1 The Structure and Composition of the Sun
Australia Telescope Compact Array6.4 Radio Telescopes
B
B–V index17.2 Colors of Stars
Baade25.5 Stellar Populations in the Galaxy, 26.4 The Extragalactic Distance Scale
Balmer lines17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs)
bar8.3 Earth’s Atmosphere
Barnard20.3 Cosmic Dust
barred spiral galaxy25.1 The Architecture of the Galaxy
baryon cycle20.5 The Life Cycle of Cosmic Material
basalt8.1 The Global Perspective
Bayer19.2 Surveying the Stars
Bayer letter19.2 Surveying the Stars
Bell23.4 Pulsars and the Discovery of Neutron Stars
BeppoSAX23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts, 23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts
Bessel19.2 Surveying the Stars
Betelgeuse2.1 The Sky Above, 17.2 Colors of Stars, 17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs), 18.3 Diameters of Stars, 19.2 Surveying the Stars, 19.2 Surveying the Stars, 21.1 Star Formation, 22.1 Evolution from the Main Sequence to Red Giants, 22.1 Evolution from the Main Sequence to Red Giants, 22.1 Evolution from the Main Sequence to Red Giants
Bethe29.3 The Beginning of the Universe
Big Bang29.1 The Age of the Universe, 29.3 The Beginning of the Universe, 29.6 The Inflationary Universe
big crunch29.2 A Model of the Universe
Big Telescope Altazimuth6.2 Telescopes Today
binary star system23.5 The Evolution of Binary Star Systems
binary stars18.2 Measuring Stellar Masses
binding energy16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity
biomarker30.3 Searching for Life beyond Earth
black dwarf23.1 The Death of Low-Mass Stars, 23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts
black hole23.2 Evolution of Massive Stars: An Explosive Finish, 23.4 Pulsars and the Discovery of Neutron Stars, 23.5 The Evolution of Binary Star Systems, 23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts, 23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts, 24.5 Black Holes, 24.5 Black Holes, 24.5 Black Holes, 24.5 Black Holes, 24.5 Black Holes, 24.6 Evidence for Black Holes, 24.6 Evidence for Black Holes, 24.6 Evidence for Black Holes, 25.3 The Mass of the Galaxy, 25.4 The Center of the Galaxy, 25.4 The Center of the Galaxy, 25.4 The Center of the Galaxy, 27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are, 27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are, 27.3 Quasars as Probes of Evolution in the Universe, 27.3 Quasars as Probes of Evolution in the Universe
black widow pulsar23.5 The Evolution of Binary Star Systems
blackbody5.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
blueshift5.6 The Doppler Effect
Bohr5.4 The Structure of the Atom
Bohr model5.5 Formation of Spectral Lines
Borexino experiment16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations
Brahe3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion, 23.3 Supernova Observations
Brookhaven National Laboratory16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations
brown dwarfs17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs), 17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs), 18.2 Measuring Stellar Masses
C
C-type asteroids13.1 Asteroids
calendar4.4 The Calendar
Callisto12.1 Ring and Moon Systems Introduced, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter
Callisto’s surface12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter
Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex6.4 Radio Telescopes
Cannon17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs), 17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs)
Carrington Event15.4 Space Weather
Cassini11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets
celestial equator2.1 The Sky Above
celestial poles2.1 The Sky Above
celestial sphere2.1 The Sky Above
centaurs13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects
central bulge25.1 The Architecture of the Galaxy
cepheid19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances
Ceres3.4 Orbits in the Solar System, 3.4 Orbits in the Solar System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 12.4 Pluto and Charon, 13.1 Asteroids, 13.1 Asteroids, 13.1 Asteroids, 13.1 Asteroids
Chandra X-Ray Observatory6.5 Observations outside Earth’s Atmosphere
Chandrasekhar23.1 The Death of Low-Mass Stars
Chandrasekhar limit23.1 The Death of Low-Mass Stars, 23.5 The Evolution of Binary Star Systems
CHARA6.4 Radio Telescopes
charge-coupled devices (CCDs)6.3 Visible-Light Detectors and Instruments
Charon12.4 Pluto and Charon, 12.4 Pluto and Charon, 12.4 Pluto and Charon, 12.4 Pluto and Charon
Chelyabinsk8.5 Cosmic Influences on the Evolution of Earth
Cherenkov Telescope Array6.6 The Future of Large Telescopes
Chicxulub8.5 Cosmic Influences on the Evolution of Earth
Chiron13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects
CHNOPS30.2 Astrobiology
chromatic aberration6.1 Telescopes
chromosphere15.1 The Structure and Composition of the Sun
circumpolar zone2.1 The Sky Above
circumstellar disk14.4 Comparison with Other Planetary Systems
climate8.3 Earth’s Atmosphere
closed universe29.2 A Model of the Universe
CNO cycle16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity
COBE29.4 The Cosmic Microwave Background
cold dark matter28.4 The Challenge of Dark Matter
collisions25.6 The Formation of the Galaxy
color index17.2 Colors of Stars
Coma cluster28.3 The Distribution of Galaxies in Space
comet13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets
Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets, 13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets
comet dust13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets
Comet Hale-BoppThinking Ahead, 13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets, 13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets
Comet Halley13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets, 13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets, 13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets, 13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets, 13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets, 13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects, 14.1 Meteors
Comet LINEAR13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects
Comet Shoemaker-Levy 913.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects, 13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects, 13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects, 13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects
Comet Shoemaker–Levy 97.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, 7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets
comets7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets, 13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets, 13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets, 14.1 Meteors, 14.1 Meteors, 14.3 Formation of the Solar System, 14.3 Formation of the Solar System, 20.1 The Interstellar Medium, 20.3 Cosmic Dust
Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts
conduction16.3 The Solar Interior: Theory
conservation of angular momentum3.2 Newton’s Great Synthesis
constellation2.1 The Sky Above, 2.1 The Sky Above
continuous spectrum5.3 Spectroscopy in Astronomy
convection8.2 Earth’s Crust, 16.3 The Solar Interior: Theory, 16.3 The Solar Interior: Theory
convection currents11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets
convective zone15.1 The Structure and Composition of the Sun
coordinates4.1 Earth and Sky
Copernican principle30.1 The Cosmic Context for Life
Copernicus2.4 The Birth of Modern Astronomy, 2.4 The Birth of Modern Astronomy, 2.4 The Birth of Modern Astronomy, 2.4 The Birth of Modern Astronomy, 29.7 The Anthropic Principle
core8.1 The Global Perspective
corona15.1 The Structure and Composition of the Sun, 15.1 The Structure and Composition of the Sun
coronal hole15.4 Space Weather
coronal holes15.1 The Structure and Composition of the Sun
coronal mass ejection15.4 Space Weather, 16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations
coronal mass ejection (CME)15.3 Solar Activity above the Photosphere
cosmic haystack problem30.4 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
cosmic microwave background (CMB)29.4 The Cosmic Microwave Background
Cosmic rays20.4 Cosmic Rays, 23.2 Evolution of Massive Stars: An Explosive Finish
cosmological constant29.1 The Age of the Universe
cosmological principle28.3 The Distribution of Galaxies in Space, 29.2 A Model of the Universe, 29.2 A Model of the Universe
cosmology2.2 Ancient Astronomy
Crab NebulaIntroduction, 23.3 Supernova Observations, 23.4 Pulsars and the Discovery of Neutron Stars, 23.4 Pulsars and the Discovery of Neutron Stars, 23.4 Pulsars and the Discovery of Neutron Stars
crater9.3 Impact Craters, 9.3 Impact Craters
crater counts9.3 Impact Craters
craters7.3 Dating Planetary Surfaces, 8.5 Cosmic Influences on the Evolution of Earth
critical density29.2 A Model of the Universe
crust8.1 The Global Perspective
Curtis27.1 Quasars
Cygnus X-1Thinking Ahead, 24.6 Evidence for Black Holes
D
Dactyl13.1 Asteroids, 13.1 Asteroids
dark energy28.4 The Challenge of Dark Matter, 29.1 The Age of the Universe
dark matter25.3 The Mass of the Galaxy, 25.3 The Mass of the Galaxy, 26.2 Types of Galaxies, 26.3 Properties of Galaxies, 26.3 Properties of Galaxies, 28.4 The Challenge of Dark Matter, 28.4 The Challenge of Dark Matter, 28.4 The Challenge of Dark Matter, 28.4 The Challenge of Dark Matter, 28.4 The Challenge of Dark Matter, 29.5 What Is the Universe Really Made Of?
dark matter halo25.1 The Architecture of the Galaxy
Darwin4.6 Ocean Tides and the Moon
Davis16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations, 16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations
declination4.1 Earth and Sky
degenerate gas23.1 The Death of Low-Mass Stars
Deimos13.1 Asteroids, 13.1 Asteroids
Delta Cephei19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances, 19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances, 19.4 The H–R Diagram and Cosmic Distances
density3.2 Newton’s Great Synthesis, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System
detector6.1 Telescopes
deuterium29.3 The Beginning of the Universe
differential galactic rotation25.2 Spiral Structure
differential rotation15.2 The Solar Cycle
Differentiation7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets
disk25.1 The Architecture of the Galaxy
dispersion5.3 Spectroscopy in Astronomy
distance19.1 Fundamental Units of Distance
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)30.2 Astrobiology
Doppler5.6 The Doppler Effect, 17.4 Using Spectra to Measure Stellar Radius, Composition, and Motion
Doppler effect5.6 The Doppler Effect, 5.6 The Doppler Effect, 14.4 Comparison with Other Planetary Systems, 18.2 Measuring Stellar Masses, 21.4 Planets beyond the Solar System: Search and Discovery, 26.3 Properties of Galaxies
Doppler shift24.6 Evidence for Black Holes, 27.1 Quasars
Drake30.4 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Drake equation30.4 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Draper17.4 Using Spectra to Measure Stellar Radius, Composition, and Motion
Dreyer20.1 The Interstellar Medium
dwarf planet12.4 Pluto and Charon
E
Eagle Nebula21.1 Star Formation
Earth1.6 A Tour of the Universe, 3.4 Orbits in the Solar System, 4.1 Earth and Sky, 4.7 Eclipses of the Sun and Moon, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, Thinking Ahead, 8.1 The Global Perspective, 8.2 Earth’s Crust, 8.3 Earth’s Atmosphere, 8.4 Life, Chemical Evolution, and Climate Change, 8.5 Cosmic Influences on the Evolution of Earth, 10.6 Divergent Planetary Evolution, 11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets, 14.5 Planetary Evolution, 14.5 Planetary Evolution
Earth-approaching asteroids13.2 Asteroids and Planetary Defense, 13.2 Asteroids and Planetary Defense, 13.2 Asteroids and Planetary Defense
Earth’s atmosphere8.3 Earth’s Atmosphere, 8.3 Earth’s Atmosphere
Earth’s crust8.1 The Global Perspective, 8.2 Earth’s Crust, 8.2 Earth’s Crust
Earth’s interior8.1 The Global Perspective
Earth’s magnetic field8.1 The Global Perspective
Earth’s magnetosphere8.1 The Global Perspective
Earth’s surface8.1 The Global Perspective
eccentricity3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion
eclipsing binary18.3 Diameters of Stars
ecliptic2.1 The Sky Above, 2.1 The Sky Above
Eddington18.4 The H–R Diagram
Effelsberg 100-m Telescope6.4 Radio Telescopes
Einstein16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity, 16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity, 24.1 Introducing General Relativity, 24.2 Spacetime and Gravity, 24.3 Tests of General Relativity, 28.4 The Challenge of Dark Matter, 29.1 The Age of the Universe
electromagnetic radiation5.1 The Behavior of Light
electromagnetic spectrum5.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
ellipse3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion
Elliptical galaxies26.2 Types of Galaxies
emission spectrum5.3 Spectroscopy in Astronomy
Enceladus12.1 Ring and Moon Systems Introduced, 12.5 Planetary Rings, 12.5 Planetary Rings, 12.5 Planetary Rings, 14.5 Planetary Evolution, 30.3 Searching for Life beyond Earth
energy16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity
energy flux5.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
energy level5.4 The Structure of the Atom
epicycle2.2 Ancient Astronomy
equivalence principle24.1 Introducing General Relativity
Eratosthenes2.2 Ancient Astronomy, 2.2 Ancient Astronomy
Eris7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 12.4 Pluto and Charon, 13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects
Eros13.1 Asteroids
escape speed3.5 Motions of Satellites and Spacecraft
escape velocity24.5 Black Holes
Eta Carinae22.5 The Evolution of More Massive Stars, 22.5 The Evolution of More Massive Stars
Europa12.1 Ring and Moon Systems Introduced, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 13.1 Asteroids, 30.3 Searching for Life beyond Earth, 30.3 Searching for Life beyond Earth
European Extremely Large Telescope6.2 Telescopes Today, 6.6 The Future of Large Telescopes
event horizon24.5 Black Holes, 24.5 Black Holes, 27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are
evolution28.1 Observations of Distant Galaxies
Ewen20.2 Interstellar Gas
excitation5.5 Formation of Spectral Lines
exoplanet14.4 Comparison with Other Planetary Systems, 21.4 Planets beyond the Solar System: Search and Discovery
exoplanets14.4 Comparison with Other Planetary Systems
expanding universe26.5 The Expanding Universe
extremophile30.2 Astrobiology
eyepiece6.1 Telescopes
F
F Ring12.5 Planetary Rings, 12.5 Planetary Rings, 12.5 Planetary Rings
faults8.2 Earth’s Crust
Fermi30.1 The Cosmic Context for Life
Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope6.5 Observations outside Earth’s Atmosphere
Fermi paradox30.1 The Cosmic Context for Life
Fisher26.4 The Extragalactic Distance Scale
fission16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity
Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST)6.4 Radio Telescopes
Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope6.4 Radio Telescopes
Flamsteed19.2 Surveying the Stars
Flamsteed number19.2 Surveying the Stars
flat universe29.4 The Cosmic Microwave Background
Fleming17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs)
focus3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion, 6.1 Telescopes
formaldehyde20.2 Interstellar Gas
Foucault4.1 Earth and Sky
Fraunhofer5.3 Spectroscopy in Astronomy, 17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs)
frequency5.1 The Behavior of Light
fusion16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity, 16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity, 22.4 Further Evolution of Stars, 23.2 Evolution of Massive Stars: An Explosive Finish, 29.3 The Beginning of the Universe
G
Gaia6.5 Observations outside Earth’s Atmosphere
galactic cannibalism28.2 Galaxy Mergers and Active Galactic Nuclei
galactic mass26.3 Properties of Galaxies
galaxies26.1 The Discovery of Galaxies, 26.2 Types of Galaxies, 26.3 Properties of Galaxies, 28.1 Observations of Distant Galaxies
galaxy clusters28.3 The Distribution of Galaxies in Space
galaxy collisions28.2 Galaxy Mergers and Active Galactic Nuclei
Galileo2.4 The Birth of Modern Astronomy, 2.4 The Birth of Modern Astronomy, 2.4 The Birth of Modern Astronomy, 2.4 The Birth of Modern Astronomy, 3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion, Thinking Ahead, 6.1 Telescopes, 15.2 The Solar Cycle, 18.2 Measuring Stellar Masses
Galle3.6 Gravity with More Than Two Bodies
gamma rays5.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
gamma-ray burst23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts, 23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts, 23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts
gamma-ray bursts23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts
Gamow29.4 The Cosmic Microwave Background
Ganymede7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, 12.1 Ring and Moon Systems Introduced, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter
Gaspra13.1 Asteroids
Geller28.3 The Distribution of Galaxies in Space
Gemini North6.2 Telescopes Today
Gemini South6.2 Telescopes Today
general theory of relativity24.1 Introducing General Relativity
genes30.2 Astrobiology
geocentric2.1 The Sky Above
Ghez25.4 The Center of the Galaxy
Giacconi6.5 Observations outside Earth’s Atmosphere
giant impact hypothesis9.4 The Origin of the Moon
Giant Magellan Telescope6.2 Telescopes Today
giant molecular clouds21.1 Star Formation
giant planets7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets
giant stars18.3 Diameters of Stars
giants17.4 Using Spectra to Measure Stellar Radius, Composition, and Motion
Gilbert9.3 Impact Craters
globular cluster22.2 Star Clusters, 22.5 The Evolution of More Massive Stars
Globular clusters22.2 Star Clusters, 29.1 The Age of the Universe
Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex6.4 Radio Telescopes
Goodricke18.3 Diameters of Stars, 19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances
Gran Telescopio Canarias6.2 Telescopes Today
grand unified theories29.6 The Inflationary Universe
granite8.1 The Global Perspective
granulation15.1 The Structure and Composition of the Sun
gravitational energy16.1 Sources of Sunshine: Thermal and Gravitational Energy
gravitational lens28.3 The Distribution of Galaxies in Space, 28.4 The Challenge of Dark Matter
gravitational redshift24.4 Time in General Relativity
gravitational wave24.7 Gravitational Wave Astronomy, 24.7 Gravitational Wave Astronomy, 24.7 Gravitational Wave Astronomy
gravitational waves23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts
gravity3.3 Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation, 24.4 Time in General Relativity, 24.5 Black Holes
great circle4.1 Earth and Sky
Great Red Spot11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets
Green Bank Telescope6.4 Radio Telescopes
greenhouse effect8.4 Life, Chemical Evolution, and Climate Change, 10.3 The Massive Atmosphere of Venus
greenhouse gases8.4 Life, Chemical Evolution, and Climate Change
Gregorian calendar4.4 The Calendar
ground state5.5 Formation of Spectral Lines
H
H II region20.2 Interstellar Gas
H–R diagram18.4 The H–R Diagram, 19.4 The H–R Diagram and Cosmic Distances, 21.2 The H–R Diagram and the Study of Stellar Evolution, 22.1 Evolution from the Main Sequence to Red Giants, 22.3 Checking Out the Theory, 23.1 The Death of Low-Mass Stars
habitable environment30.2 Astrobiology
habitable zone30.3 Searching for Life beyond Earth
Hale6.2 Telescopes Today, 17.4 Using Spectra to Measure Stellar Radius, Composition, and Motion
Hale Telescope6.2 Telescopes Today
half-life7.3 Dating Planetary Surfaces
Halley3.2 Newton’s Great Synthesis, 13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets, 13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets
halo25.1 The Architecture of the Galaxy, 25.1 The Architecture of the Galaxy
Haro21.1 Star Formation
Hat Creek Radio Observatory6.4 Radio Telescopes
Haumea7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects
heat transfer16.3 The Solar Interior: Theory
heliocentric2.4 The Birth of Modern Astronomy
helioseismology16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations
helium flash22.4 Further Evolution of Stars
Henderson19.2 Surveying the Stars
Herbig21.1 Star Formation
Herbig-Haro (HH) object21.1 Star Formation
Herman29.3 The Beginning of the Universe, 29.4 The Cosmic Microwave Background
Herschel3.6 Gravity with More Than Two Bodies, 18.2 Measuring Stellar Masses, 20.1 The Interstellar Medium, 25.1 The Architecture of the Galaxy
Hertz5.1 The Behavior of Light
Hertzsprung18.4 The H–R Diagram
Hewish23.4 Pulsars and the Discovery of Neutron Stars
highlands9.2 The Lunar Surface
Hipparchus2.2 Ancient Astronomy, 17.1 The Brightness of Stars
HL Tau14.4 Comparison with Other Planetary Systems, 21.3 Evidence That Planets Form around Other Stars
Hobby–Eberly Telescope6.2 Telescopes Today
Holden20.3 Cosmic Dust
homogeneous28.3 The Distribution of Galaxies in Space
horizon2.1 The Sky Above
horizon distance29.6 The Inflationary Universe
horoscope2.3 Astrology and Astronomy
hot dark matter28.4 The Challenge of Dark Matter
hot Jupiter14.4 Comparison with Other Planetary Systems
hot Jupiters21.4 Planets beyond the Solar System: Search and Discovery, 21.6 New Perspectives on Planet Formation
Hubble6.2 Telescopes Today, 19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances, 26.1 The Discovery of Galaxies, 26.1 The Discovery of Galaxies, 26.5 The Expanding Universe, Thinking Ahead
Hubble constant26.5 The Expanding Universe, 29.1 The Age of the Universe, 29.2 A Model of the Universe, 29.4 The Cosmic Microwave Background
Hubble law27.1 Quasars, 29.1 The Age of the Universe
Hubble Space Telescope6.2 Telescopes Today, 6.5 Observations outside Earth’s Atmosphere, 6.5 Observations outside Earth’s Atmosphere, 27.1 Quasars, 27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are
Hubble time29.1 The Age of the Universe
Hubble’s law26.5 The Expanding Universe, 26.5 The Expanding Universe, 29.2 A Model of the Universe
Huggins17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs), 17.4 Using Spectra to Measure Stellar Radius, Composition, and Motion
Humason26.5 The Expanding Universe
hydrostatic equilibrium16.3 The Solar Interior: Theory
I
Ida13.1 Asteroids, 13.1 Asteroids, 14.5 Planetary Evolution
igneous rock8.2 Earth’s Crust
impact craters9.3 Impact Craters, 9.3 Impact Craters
infalling material27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are
inflationary universe29.6 The Inflationary Universe
infrared5.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph15.1 The Structure and Composition of the Sun
Interference6.4 Radio Telescopes
interferometer6.4 Radio Telescopes
interferometer array6.4 Radio Telescopes
International Astronomical Union7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System
International Date Line4.3 Keeping Time
International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory6.5 Observations outside Earth’s Atmosphere
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER)16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity
interstellar dust20.1 The Interstellar Medium, 20.3 Cosmic Dust, 20.3 Cosmic Dust
interstellar extinction20.3 Cosmic Dust
interstellar gas20.2 Interstellar Gas, 20.2 Interstellar Gas, 20.2 Interstellar Gas
interstellar mass20.1 The Interstellar Medium
interstellar medium20.5 The Life Cycle of Cosmic Material, 20.5 The Life Cycle of Cosmic Material, 20.5 The Life Cycle of Cosmic Material
interstellar medium (ISM)20.1 The Interstellar Medium
interstellar molecules20.2 Interstellar Gas
inverse square law5.1 The Behavior of Light
Io8.2 Earth’s Crust, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 12.1 Ring and Moon Systems Introduced, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter
ion5.5 Formation of Spectral Lines
ionization5.5 Formation of Spectral Lines
IRAM6.4 Radio Telescopes
irons14.2 Meteorites: Stones from Heaven
irregular galaxy26.2 Types of Galaxies
isotopes5.4 The Structure of the Atom
isotropic28.3 The Distribution of Galaxies in Space
Itokawa13.1 Asteroids
J
James Clerk Maxwell Telescope6.4 Radio Telescopes
James Webb Space Telescope6.6 The Future of Large Telescopes
Jansky6.4 Radio Telescopes
Jansky Very Large Array6.4 Radio Telescopes
Janssen6.1 Telescopes
jets27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are
Jupiter2.4 The Birth of Modern Astronomy, 3.4 Orbits in the Solar System, 6.2 Telescopes Today, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, 7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, 7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, 7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, Thinking Ahead, 11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets, 11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets, 11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets, 11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets, 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets, 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets, 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets, 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets, Thinking Ahead, 12.1 Ring and Moon Systems Introduced, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 12.5 Planetary Rings, 13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects, 13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects, 13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects, 13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects, 14.4 Comparison with Other Planetary Systems, 17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs), 18.2 Measuring Stellar Masses
Jupiter’s storms11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets
K
Kajita16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations
Kant26.1 The Discovery of Galaxies
Keck17.4 Using Spectra to Measure Stellar Radius, Composition, and Motion
Keck I and II6.2 Telescopes Today, 6.4 Radio Telescopes
Kelvin16.1 Sources of Sunshine: Thermal and Gravitational Energy
Kepler3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion, 3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion, 3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion, 6.5 Observations outside Earth’s Atmosphere, 21.4 Planets beyond the Solar System: Search and Discovery, 23.3 Supernova Observations, 25.3 The Mass of the Galaxy
Kepler mission21.5 Exoplanets Everywhere: What We Are Learning
Kepler’s first law3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion
Kepler’s second law3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion
Kepler’s Supernova23.3 Supernova Observations, 23.5 The Evolution of Binary Star Systems
Kepler’s third law3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion, 3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion
Koshiba16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations
Kuiper belt13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects, 13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects
L
Large Binocular Telescope6.2 Telescopes Today, 6.4 Radio Telescopes
Large Magellanic Cloud1.7 The Universe on the Large Scale, Thinking Ahead, 19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances, 19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances, 23.3 Supernova Observations, 23.3 Supernova Observations, 26.2 Types of Galaxies, 28.4 The Challenge of Dark Matter
Large Synoptic Survey Telescope6.2 Telescopes Today, 6.6 The Future of Large Telescopes
law of conservation of energy16.1 Sources of Sunshine: Thermal and Gravitational Energy
Le Verrier3.6 Gravity with More Than Two Bodies
Leavitt19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances, 26.1 The Discovery of Galaxies
Lemaître26.5 The Expanding Universe, 29.3 The Beginning of the Universe
Levy13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects
Lick17.4 Using Spectra to Measure Stellar Radius, Composition, and Motion
light5.1 The Behavior of Light
light curve19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances
light pollution6.2 Telescopes Today
light-year19.2 Surveying the Stars
LIGO24.7 Gravitational Wave Astronomy, 24.7 Gravitational Wave Astronomy
line broadening26.3 Properties of Galaxies
Lippershey6.1 Telescopes
lithium29.3 The Beginning of the Universe
Little Ice Age15.4 Space Weather
Local Bubble20.6 Interstellar Matter around the Sun
Local Fluff20.6 Interstellar Matter around the Sun
Local Group1.7 The Universe on the Large Scale, 28.3 The Distribution of Galaxies in Space, 28.3 The Distribution of Galaxies in Space, 28.4 The Challenge of Dark Matter
long-duration gamma-ray burst23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts
Lovell Telescope6.4 Radio Telescopes
Lowell10.1 The Nearest Planets: An Overview, 10.1 The Nearest Planets: An Overview, 10.1 The Nearest Planets: An Overview, 12.4 Pluto and Charon
luminosity17.1 The Brightness of Stars
luminosity classes19.4 The H–R Diagram and Cosmic Distances
lunar eclipse4.7 Eclipses of the Sun and Moon
lunar exploration9.1 General Properties of the Moon
lunar history9.2 The Lunar Surface
lunar missions9.1 General Properties of the Moon
M
M-type asteroids13.1 Asteroids
M8727.1 Quasars, 27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are, 27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are, 28.2 Galaxy Mergers and Active Galactic Nuclei
MACHO28.4 The Challenge of Dark Matter
Magellan Telescopes6.2 Telescopes Today
magnetic field11.2 The Giant Planets
magnetism5.1 The Behavior of Light
magnetogram15.2 The Solar Cycle
magnetosphere8.1 The Global Perspective, 15.4 Space Weather, 15.4 Space Weather
magnitude17.1 The Brightness of Stars, 17.1 The Brightness of Stars
main sequence18.4 The H–R Diagram, 18.4 The H–R Diagram, 22.1 Evolution from the Main Sequence to Red Giants, 22.1 Evolution from the Main Sequence to Red Giants
main-sequence stars18.4 The H–R Diagram
main-sequence turnoff22.3 Checking Out the Theory
major axis3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion
Makemake7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 12.4 Pluto and Charon, 13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects
mantle8.1 The Global Perspective
MarsIntroduction, 2.2 Ancient Astronomy, 3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion, 3.4 Orbits in the Solar System, Thinking Ahead, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, 8.3 Earth’s Atmosphere, 8.4 Life, Chemical Evolution, and Climate Change, 10.1 The Nearest Planets: An Overview, 10.1 The Nearest Planets: An Overview, 10.1 The Nearest Planets: An Overview, 10.1 The Nearest Planets: An Overview, 10.4 The Geology of Mars, 10.4 The Geology of Mars, 10.4 The Geology of Mars, 10.4 The Geology of Mars, 10.5 Water and Life on Mars, 10.5 Water and Life on Mars, 10.5 Water and Life on Mars, 10.5 Water and Life on Mars, 10.6 Divergent Planetary Evolution, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 13.1 Asteroids, 14.5 Planetary Evolution, 14.5 Planetary Evolution, 30.3 Searching for Life beyond Earth
martian meteorites10.4 The Geology of Mars
mass3.2 Newton’s Great Synthesis
mass extinction8.5 Cosmic Influences on the Evolution of Earth
mass loss22.4 Further Evolution of Stars
mass-luminosity relation18.2 Measuring Stellar Masses
mass-to-light ratio26.3 Properties of Galaxies, 28.4 The Challenge of Dark Matter
Maunder15.4 Space Weather
Maunder Minimum15.4 Space Weather
Maxwell5.1 The Behavior of Light, 5.1 The Behavior of Light, 29.6 The Inflationary Universe
Maxwell Mountains14.5 Planetary Evolution
Mayor21.4 Planets beyond the Solar System: Search and Discovery
McDonald16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations
mean solar time4.3 Keeping Time
Mercury3.4 Orbits in the Solar System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, 7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, 9.1 General Properties of the Moon, 9.5 Mercury, 9.5 Mercury, 9.5 Mercury, 9.5 Mercury, 24.3 Tests of General Relativity, 24.3 Tests of General Relativity
Mercury’s composition9.5 Mercury
Mercury’s orbit9.5 Mercury
Mercury’s rotation9.5 Mercury
Mercury’s surface9.5 Mercury
merger28.2 Galaxy Mergers and Active Galactic Nuclei
meridian4.1 Earth and Sky
MESSENGER9.5 Mercury
Messier20.1 The Interstellar Medium
Metamorphic rocks8.2 Earth’s Crust
meteor7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 14.1 Meteors
Meteor Crater8.5 Cosmic Influences on the Evolution of Earth, 9.3 Impact Craters
meteor shower14.1 Meteors, 14.1 Meteors
meteorite7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 14.2 Meteorites: Stones from Heaven
meteorite fall14.2 Meteorites: Stones from Heaven
meteorites14.2 Meteorites: Stones from Heaven
meter19.1 Fundamental Units of Distance
Metius6.1 Telescopes
Michell24.5 Black Holes
microwave5.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Milky Way Galaxy1.6 A Tour of the Universe, 1.6 A Tour of the Universe, Thinking Ahead, 6.4 Radio Telescopes, 19.2 Surveying the Stars, 20.1 The Interstellar Medium, 20.2 Interstellar Gas, 20.3 Cosmic Dust, 20.4 Cosmic Rays, 20.5 The Life Cycle of Cosmic Material, 21.6 New Perspectives on Planet Formation, 25.1 The Architecture of the Galaxy, 25.1 The Architecture of the Galaxy, 25.1 The Architecture of the Galaxy, 25.6 The Formation of the Galaxy, 26.3 Properties of Galaxies, 27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are, 28.3 The Distribution of Galaxies in Space
Miller30.2 Astrobiology
Miller-Urey30.2 Astrobiology
millisecond pulsars23.5 The Evolution of Binary Star Systems
mini-Neptunes21.5 Exoplanets Everywhere: What We Are Learning
Mizar18.2 Measuring Stellar Masses
molecular clouds20.2 Interstellar Gas, 21.1 Star Formation
momentum3.2 Newton’s Great Synthesis
Moon1.6 A Tour of the Universe, 4.5 Phases and Motions of the Moon, 4.5 Phases and Motions of the Moon, 4.5 Phases and Motions of the Moon, 4.6 Ocean Tides and the Moon, 4.7 Eclipses of the Sun and Moon, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, 7.3 Dating Planetary Surfaces, Thinking Ahead, 9.1 General Properties of the Moon, 9.1 General Properties of the Moon, 9.2 The Lunar Surface, 9.3 Impact Craters, 9.4 The Origin of the Moon, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 14.5 Planetary Evolution, 18.3 Diameters of Stars, 19.2 Surveying the Stars
Moon’s highlands9.2 The Lunar Surface
Moon’s interior9.1 General Properties of the Moon
Moon’s origin9.4 The Origin of the Moon
Moon’s properties9.1 General Properties of the Moon
Moon’s surface9.2 The Lunar Surface
moons12.1 Ring and Moon Systems Introduced, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter
Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network6.4 Radio Telescopes
Multi-Mirror Telescope6.2 Telescopes Today
multiverse29.7 The Anthropic Principle
N
near-Earth asteroids (NEAs)13.2 Asteroids and Planetary Defense
near-Earth objects (NEOs)13.2 Asteroids and Planetary Defense
nebula20.1 The Interstellar Medium, 20.1 The Interstellar Medium
Neptune3.4 Orbits in the Solar System, 3.6 Gravity with More Than Two Bodies, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, Thinking Ahead, 11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets, 11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets, 11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets, 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets, 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets, 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets, 12.1 Ring and Moon Systems Introduced, 12.3 Titan and Triton, 12.4 Pluto and Charon, 12.5 Planetary Rings, 13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects
Neptune’s Great Dark Spot11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets
Neptune’s rings12.5 Planetary Rings, 12.5 Planetary Rings
neutrino16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity, 16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity, 16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations, 16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations, 23.2 Evolution of Massive Stars: An Explosive Finish, 23.3 Supernova Observations, 29.3 The Beginning of the Universe, 29.3 The Beginning of the Universe, 29.7 The Anthropic Principle
neutron star23.2 Evolution of Massive Stars: An Explosive Finish, 23.4 Pulsars and the Discovery of Neutron Stars, 23.4 Pulsars and the Discovery of Neutron Stars, 23.4 Pulsars and the Discovery of Neutron Stars, 23.5 The Evolution of Binary Star Systems, 23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts, 23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts
New Horizons12.4 Pluto and Charon
Newton3.2 Newton’s Great Synthesis, 3.3 Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation, 5.3 Spectroscopy in Astronomy, 13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets, 24.1 Introducing General Relativity, 25.3 The Mass of the Galaxy
Newton’s first law3.2 Newton’s Great Synthesis
Newton’s second law3.2 Newton’s Great Synthesis
Newton’s third law3.2 Newton’s Great Synthesis
Nobeyama Radio Observatory6.4 Radio Telescopes
nova23.5 The Evolution of Binary Star Systems
nuclear bulge25.1 The Architecture of the Galaxy
nucleosynthesis22.5 The Evolution of More Massive Stars
nucleus5.4 The Structure of the Atom, 13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets
O
Oliver30.4 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Olympus Mons10.4 The Geology of Mars, 10.4 The Geology of Mars, 10.4 The Geology of Mars, 10.4 The Geology of Mars, 14.5 Planetary Evolution, 14.5 Planetary Evolution
Omega Centauri22.2 Star Clusters, 22.2 Star Clusters
Oort13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects
Oort cloud13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects
open cluster22.2 Star Clusters, 23.1 The Death of Low-Mass Stars
Open clusters22.2 Star Clusters
open universe29.2 A Model of the Universe
optical SETI30.4 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
orbit3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion
orbital period3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion
orbital speed3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion
organic compounds30.2 Astrobiology
organic molecule30.1 The Cosmic Context for Life
Orion Nebula1.4 Numbers in Astronomy, 7.4 Origin of the Solar System, 14.4 Comparison with Other Planetary Systems, 18.2 Measuring Stellar Masses, 20.2 Interstellar Gas, 21.1 Star Formation, 21.1 Star Formation, 25.2 Spiral Structure
oscillating theory of the universe29.2 A Model of the Universe
Osterbrock20.3 Cosmic Dust
ozone8.3 Earth’s Atmosphere
P
Pallas13.1 Asteroids
parallax2.2 Ancient Astronomy, 19.2 Surveying the Stars, 19.2 Surveying the Stars, 19.2 Surveying the Stars
Parkes Observatory6.4 Radio Telescopes
parsec19.2 Surveying the Stars
partial eclipse4.7 Eclipses of the Sun and Moon
Pauli16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity
Pauli exclusion principle23.1 The Death of Low-Mass Stars
Payne-Gaposchkin15.1 The Structure and Composition of the Sun
perigee3.4 Orbits in the Solar System
perihelion3.4 Orbits in the Solar System
period-luminosity relation19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances, 19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances
perturbations3.6 Gravity with More Than Two Bodies
phases4.5 Phases and Motions of the Moon
Phobos13.1 Asteroids, 13.1 Asteroids
photochemistry11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets
photon5.1 The Behavior of Light, 5.4 The Structure of the Atom
photon decoupling time29.4 The Cosmic Microwave Background
photosphere15.1 The Structure and Composition of the Sun
photosynthesis8.4 Life, Chemical Evolution, and Climate Change, 30.2 Astrobiology
Piazzi13.1 Asteroids
Pickering18.2 Measuring Stellar Masses
Pioneer30.4 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Pioneer 1011.1 Exploring the Outer Planets
Pioneer 1111.1 Exploring the Outer Planets
plages15.3 Solar Activity above the Photosphere
Planck5.4 The Structure of the Atom
Planck time29.6 The Inflationary Universe
planetary evolution10.6 Divergent Planetary Evolution
planetary nebulae22.4 Further Evolution of Stars
planetary system14.4 Comparison with Other Planetary Systems
planetesimal7.4 Origin of the Solar System, 14.3 Formation of the Solar System
planetesimals7.4 Origin of the Solar System
planets2.1 The Sky Above
plasma15.1 The Structure and Composition of the Sun, 16.3 The Solar Interior: Theory
Plate tectonics8.2 Earth’s Crust
Pleiades20.3 Cosmic Dust, 22.2 Star Clusters
Pluto7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, 12.4 Pluto and Charon, 12.4 Pluto and Charon, 12.4 Pluto and Charon, 12.4 Pluto and Charon, 12.4 Pluto and Charon, 12.4 Pluto and Charon, 12.4 Pluto and Charon, 12.4 Pluto and Charon, 13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects
Polaris2.1 The Sky Above, 2.2 Ancient Astronomy, 4.1 Earth and Sky, 17.1 The Brightness of Stars, 19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances
population I25.5 Stellar Populations in the Galaxy
population II25.5 Stellar Populations in the Galaxy
positron16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity
precession2.2 Ancient Astronomy
prime focus6.1 Telescopes
primitive meteorites14.2 Meteorites: Stones from Heaven
primitive rock8.2 Earth’s Crust
prominences15.3 Solar Activity above the Photosphere
proper motion17.4 Using Spectra to Measure Stellar Radius, Composition, and Motion
Proteins30.2 Astrobiology
protogalactic cloud25.6 The Formation of the Galaxy
proton-proton chain16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity, 16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity
protoplanet14.3 Formation of the Solar System
protostar21.1 Star Formation
Proxima Centauri1.6 A Tour of the Universe, 18.1 A Stellar Census, 18.1 A Stellar Census, 19.2 Surveying the Stars, 20.1 The Interstellar Medium, 21.6 New Perspectives on Planet Formation, 30.3 Searching for Life beyond Earth
Ptolemy2.2 Ancient Astronomy, 2.2 Ancient Astronomy
pulsar23.4 Pulsars and the Discovery of Neutron Stars
pulsars23.4 Pulsars and the Discovery of Neutron Stars
pulsating variable stars19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances
Purcell20.2 Interstellar Gas
Pythagoras2.2 Ancient Astronomy
Q
quantum mechanics29.1 The Age of the Universe
quasar27.1 Quasars, 27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are, 28.1 Observations of Distant Galaxies
quasars27.1 Quasars, 27.3 Quasars as Probes of Evolution in the Universe
Queloz21.4 Planets beyond the Solar System: Search and Discovery
quiescent27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are
R
Radar6.4 Radio Telescopes, 19.1 Fundamental Units of Distance
radial velocity5.6 The Doppler Effect, 17.4 Using Spectra to Measure Stellar Radius, Composition, and Motion
radiation5.1 The Behavior of Light, 16.3 The Solar Interior: Theory
radiative zone15.1 The Structure and Composition of the Sun
radio astronomy25.4 The Center of the Galaxy
radio observations25.2 Spiral Structure
radio waves5.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
radioactive decay23.3 Supernova Observations
radioactivity7.3 Dating Planetary Surfaces
Reber6.4 Radio Telescopes
reddening20.3 Cosmic Dust
redshift5.6 The Doppler Effect, 26.5 The Expanding Universe, 29.2 A Model of the Universe
reflecting telescope6.1 Telescopes
refracting telescope6.1 Telescopes
Resolution6.2 Telescopes Today
resonance12.5 Planetary Rings
retrograde motion2.2 Ancient Astronomy
rift zones8.2 Earth’s Crust
right ascension4.1 Earth and Sky
ring system12.5 Planetary Rings
ring systems12.5 Planetary Rings
RNA (ribonucleic acid)30.2 Astrobiology
ROTSE23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts
RR Lyrae19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances, 19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances
runaway greenhouse effect10.3 The Massive Atmosphere of Venus
Russell18.4 The H–R Diagram, 18.4 The H–R Diagram, 23.1 The Death of Low-Mass Stars
Rutherford5.4 The Structure of the Atom
S
S-type asteroids13.1 Asteroids
Sagan7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System
Sagittarius A25.4 The Center of the Galaxy, 25.4 The Center of the Galaxy
Sagittarius A*25.4 The Center of the Galaxy, 25.4 The Center of the Galaxy, 25.4 The Center of the Galaxy
satellite3.4 Orbits in the Solar System, 3.5 Motions of Satellites and Spacecraft
Saturn3.4 Orbits in the Solar System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, Thinking Ahead, 11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets, 11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets, 11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets, 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets, 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets, 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets, 12.1 Ring and Moon Systems Introduced, 12.3 Titan and Triton, 12.5 Planetary Rings, 14.3 Formation of the Solar System
Saturn’s rings11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets, 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets, 12.5 Planetary Rings, 12.5 Planetary Rings, 12.5 Planetary Rings, 14.3 Formation of the Solar System
scarps9.5 Mercury
Schiaparelli10.1 The Nearest Planets: An Overview
Schmidt27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are
Schmitt9.1 General Properties of the Moon
Schwabe15.2 The Solar Cycle
Schwarzschild24.5 Black Holes
science1.2 The Nature of Science
Scott9.2 The Lunar Surface
seasons4.2 The Seasons, 4.2 The Seasons
Sedimentary rocks8.2 Earth’s Crust
seeing6.2 Telescopes Today
seismic waves8.1 The Global Perspective
selection effect18.1 A Stellar Census
semimajor axis3.1 The Laws of Planetary Motion
SETI30.4 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, 30.4 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Seyfert27.1 Quasars
Shapley25.1 The Architecture of the Galaxy
short-duration gamma-ray burst23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts
sidereal day4.3 Keeping Time
sidereal month4.5 Phases and Motions of the Moon
singularity24.5 Black Holes
Sirius2.1 The Sky Above, 4.3 Keeping Time, 17.1 The Brightness of Stars, 17.1 The Brightness of Stars, 17.1 The Brightness of Stars, 17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs), 17.4 Using Spectra to Measure Stellar Radius, Composition, and Motion, 17.4 Using Spectra to Measure Stellar Radius, Composition, and Motion, 18.1 A Stellar Census, 18.2 Measuring Stellar Masses, 18.2 Measuring Stellar Masses, 18.3 Diameters of Stars, 18.4 The H–R Diagram, 18.4 The H–R Diagram, 18.4 The H–R Diagram, 19.2 Surveying the Stars, 19.2 Surveying the Stars, 23.1 The Death of Low-Mass Stars
Slipher26.5 The Expanding Universe
Sloan Digital Sky Survey28.3 The Distribution of Galaxies in Space, 28.3 The Distribution of Galaxies in Space
Small Magellanic Cloud1.7 The Universe on the Large Scale, Thinking Ahead, Thinking Ahead, 19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances, 25.5 Stellar Populations in the Galaxy, 26.2 Types of Galaxies, 28.4 The Challenge of Dark Matter
SN 100623.3 Supernova Observations, 23.5 The Evolution of Binary Star Systems
SN 105423.3 Supernova Observations, 23.4 Pulsars and the Discovery of Neutron Stars, 23.5 The Evolution of Binary Star Systems
solar atmosphere15.1 The Structure and Composition of the Sun
solar cycle15.2 The Solar Cycle, 15.2 The Solar Cycle, 15.3 Solar Activity above the Photosphere, 15.3 Solar Activity above the Photosphere, 15.4 Space Weather
solar day4.3 Keeping Time
solar dynamo15.2 The Solar Cycle
solar eclipse4.7 Eclipses of the Sun and Moon
solar flare15.3 Solar Activity above the Photosphere, 15.4 Space Weather, 16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations
solar interior16.3 The Solar Interior: Theory, 16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations
solar maximum15.2 The Solar Cycle, 15.4 Space Weather, 15.4 Space Weather, 15.4 Space Weather
solar month4.5 Phases and Motions of the Moon
solar nebula7.4 Origin of the Solar System, 14.3 Formation of the Solar System, 14.3 Formation of the Solar System
solar neutrino16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations
solar wind15.1 The Structure and Composition of the Sun
solstice4.2 The Seasons
Southern African Large Telescope6.2 Telescopes Today
space velocity17.4 Using Spectra to Measure Stellar Radius, Composition, and Motion
space weather15.4 Space Weather, 15.4 Space Weather
spacetime24.2 Spacetime and Gravity, 24.2 Spacetime and Gravity, 24.2 Spacetime and Gravity
spectra5.3 Spectroscopy in Astronomy
spectral class17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs), 17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs)
spectral line15.2 The Solar Cycle
spectrometer5.3 Spectroscopy in Astronomy
spectroscopic binary18.2 Measuring Stellar Masses
spiral arms25.2 Spiral Structure
spiral galaxies26.2 Types of Galaxies, 26.2 Types of Galaxies
Spitzer Space Telescope6.5 Observations outside Earth’s Atmosphere
Spӧrer15.4 Space Weather
Square Kilometre Array6.4 Radio Telescopes
standard bulb26.4 The Extragalactic Distance Scale, 26.4 The Extragalactic Distance Scale, 29.1 The Age of the Universe
star cluster22.2 Star Clusters
star diameter18.3 Diameters of Stars
star formation21.1 Star Formation
star mass18.2 Measuring Stellar Masses
starburst28.2 Galaxy Mergers and Active Galactic Nuclei
Stefan-Boltzmann law5.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
stellar association22.2 Star Clusters, 22.2 Star Clusters
stellar color17.2 Colors of Stars
stellar evolution22.2 Star Clusters, 22.4 Further Evolution of Stars, 22.5 The Evolution of More Massive Stars
stellar spectra17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs)
stellar temperature17.2 Colors of Stars
stellar wind21.1 Star Formation
stones14.2 Meteorites: Stones from Heaven
stony-irons14.2 Meteorites: Stones from Heaven
stratosphere8.3 Earth’s Atmosphere
string theory29.6 The Inflationary Universe
stromatolites30.2 Astrobiology
strong nuclear force16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity
Struve19.2 Surveying the Stars
Subaru Telescope6.2 Telescopes Today
subduction8.2 Earth’s Crust
Sudbury Neutrino Observatory16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations
Sun1.6 A Tour of the Universe, 4.2 The Seasons, 4.7 Eclipses of the Sun and Moon, 15.1 The Structure and Composition of the Sun, 15.2 The Solar Cycle, 15.3 Solar Activity above the Photosphere, 15.4 Space Weather, 16.1 Sources of Sunshine: Thermal and Gravitational Energy, 16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity, 16.3 The Solar Interior: Theory, 16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations, 17.2 Colors of Stars, 17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs), 19.1 Fundamental Units of Distance, 20.6 Interstellar Matter around the Sun, 22.1 Evolution from the Main Sequence to Red Giants
sunspot16.4 The Solar Interior: Observations
sunspot cycle15.2 The Solar Cycle, 15.2 The Solar Cycle
sunspot maxima15.2 The Solar Cycle
sunspot minima15.2 The Solar Cycle
sunspots15.2 The Solar Cycle
super-Earths21.5 Exoplanets Everywhere: What We Are Learning
superclusters28.3 The Distribution of Galaxies in Space
supergiant stars18.3 Diameters of Stars
supermassive black hole25.4 The Center of the Galaxy, 25.4 The Center of the Galaxy, 27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are, 27.3 Quasars as Probes of Evolution in the Universe, 27.3 Quasars as Probes of Evolution in the Universe
supermassive black holes25.4 The Center of the Galaxy
supernova20.4 Cosmic Rays, 23.2 Evolution of Massive Stars: An Explosive Finish, 23.2 Evolution of Massive Stars: An Explosive Finish, 23.3 Supernova Observations
supernova 1987A23.3 Supernova Observations
Swift23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts
synchronous rotation4.5 Phases and Motions of the Moon
synchrotron radiation11.2 The Giant Planets
T
T Tauri star21.1 Star Formation
tail13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets
Tarter30.4 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
tectonic10.2 The Geology of Venus
telescope2.4 The Birth of Modern Astronomy, 6.1 Telescopes
terrestrial planets7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System
theory of general relativity29.1 The Age of the Universe, 29.2 A Model of the Universe, 29.3 The Beginning of the Universe, 29.4 The Cosmic Microwave Background
theory of relativity16.2 Mass, Energy, and the Theory of Relativity
thermophile30.2 Astrobiology
Thirty-Meter Telescope6.2 Telescopes Today
Thomson5.4 The Structure of the Atom
tidal disruption event27.3 Quasars as Probes of Evolution in the Universe
tidal heating12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter
tides4.6 Ocean Tides and the Moon
time zones4.3 Keeping Time
Titan7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, 11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets, 12.1 Ring and Moon Systems Introduced, 12.2 The Galilean Moons of Jupiter, 12.3 Titan and Triton, 12.3 Titan and Triton, 12.3 Titan and Triton, 14.5 Planetary Evolution, 30.3 Searching for Life beyond Earth
Titan’s atmosphere12.3 Titan and Triton
Titan’s surface12.3 Titan and Triton
Tombaugh12.4 Pluto and Charon, 12.4 Pluto and Charon
total eclipse4.7 Eclipses of the Sun and Moon
trans-Neptunian object7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System
transit21.4 Planets beyond the Solar System: Search and Discovery
transit depth21.4 Planets beyond the Solar System: Search and Discovery
transit technique14.4 Comparison with Other Planetary Systems
Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)6.5 Observations outside Earth’s Atmosphere
transition region15.1 The Structure and Composition of the Sun
tree of life8.4 Life, Chemical Evolution, and Climate Change
triple-alpha process22.4 Further Evolution of Stars
Triton12.1 Ring and Moon Systems Introduced, 12.3 Titan and Triton, 12.3 Titan and Triton, 12.3 Titan and Triton, 13.4 The Origin and Fate of Comets and Related Objects
Triton’s surface12.3 Titan and Triton
troposphere8.3 Earth’s Atmosphere
Tully26.4 The Extragalactic Distance Scale
Tully-Fisher relation26.4 The Extragalactic Distance Scale
Tunguska8.5 Cosmic Influences on the Evolution of Earth
Tycho’s Supernova23.3 Supernova Observations, 23.5 The Evolution of Binary Star Systems
type Ia supernova23.5 The Evolution of Binary Star Systems, 26.4 The Extragalactic Distance Scale, 26.4 The Extragalactic Distance Scale, 26.5 The Expanding Universe
type Ia supernovae23.5 The Evolution of Binary Star Systems
type Ic supernova23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts
type II supernova23.2 Evolution of Massive Stars: An Explosive Finish, 23.5 The Evolution of Binary Star Systems
Tyson7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System
U
ultraviolet5.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
unbarred spiral galaxy25.1 The Architecture of the Galaxy
universal law of gravitation3.3 Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation
Uranus3.4 Orbits in the Solar System, 3.6 Gravity with More Than Two Bodies, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, Thinking Ahead, 11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets, 11.1 Exploring the Outer Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.2 The Giant Planets, 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets, 11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets, 12.1 Ring and Moon Systems Introduced, 12.5 Planetary Rings, 12.5 Planetary Rings, 12.5 Planetary Rings
Uranus’ rings12.5 Planetary Rings, 12.5 Planetary Rings
Urey30.2 Astrobiology
V
Valles MarinerisIntroduction, 10.4 The Geology of Mars, 10.4 The Geology of Mars, 10.4 The Geology of Mars
Van Allen11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets
Van Allen belt11.3 Atmospheres of the Giant Planets
variable star19.3 Variable Stars: One Key to Cosmic Distances
variable stars26.4 The Extragalactic Distance Scale
Vega2.2 Ancient Astronomy, 17.2 Colors of Stars, 17.2 Colors of Stars, 17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs), 17.4 Using Spectra to Measure Stellar Radius, Composition, and Motion, 17.4 Using Spectra to Measure Stellar Radius, Composition, and Motion, 18.1 A Stellar Census, 19.2 Surveying the Stars, 19.2 Surveying the Stars, 25.1 The Architecture of the Galaxy
Vela23.6 The Mystery of the Gamma-Ray Bursts
velocity3.2 Newton’s Great Synthesis
Venus2.4 The Birth of Modern Astronomy, 2.4 The Birth of Modern Astronomy, 3.4 Orbits in the Solar System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.1 Overview of Our Planetary System, 7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, 8.3 Earth’s Atmosphere, 10.1 The Nearest Planets: An Overview, 10.1 The Nearest Planets: An Overview, 10.1 The Nearest Planets: An Overview, 10.1 The Nearest Planets: An Overview, 10.2 The Geology of Venus, 10.2 The Geology of Venus, 10.2 The Geology of Venus, 10.2 The Geology of Venus, 10.3 The Massive Atmosphere of Venus, 10.3 The Massive Atmosphere of Venus, 10.6 Divergent Planetary Evolution, 14.5 Planetary Evolution, 14.5 Planetary Evolution, 17.1 The Brightness of Stars
Very Large Telescope6.2 Telescopes Today, 6.4 Radio Telescopes
Very Long Baseline Array6.4 Radio Telescopes
Vesta3.4 Orbits in the Solar System, 7.2 Composition and Structure of Planets, 7.3 Dating Planetary Surfaces, 13.1 Asteroids, 13.1 Asteroids, 13.1 Asteroids, 13.1 Asteroids, 13.1 Asteroids
Virgo Cluster27.2 Supermassive Black Holes: What Quasars Really Are, 28.3 The Distribution of Galaxies in Space, 28.4 The Challenge of Dark Matter
Virgo Supercluster1.7 The Universe on the Large Scale
visible light5.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
visual binary18.2 Measuring Stellar Masses
Vogel18.3 Diameters of Stars
voids28.3 The Distribution of Galaxies in Space
Volcanoes8.2 Earth’s Crust
volume3.2 Newton’s Great Synthesis
Voyager 211.1 Exploring the Outer Planets
Voyager record30.4 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
W
watt16.1 Sources of Sunshine: Thermal and Gravitational Energy
wave equation5.1 The Behavior of Light
wavelength5.1 The Behavior of Light
waves5.1 The Behavior of Light
weakly interacting massive particles29.5 What Is the Universe Really Made Of?
weather8.3 Earth’s Atmosphere
Wegener8.2 Earth’s Crust
Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope6.4 Radio Telescopes
Wheeler24.5 Black Holes, 29.2 A Model of the Universe
Whipple13.3 The “Long-Haired” Comets
white dwarf18.4 The H–R Diagram, 23.5 The Evolution of Binary Star Systems
white dwarfs18.4 The H–R Diagram, 23.1 The Death of Low-Mass Stars, 23.1 The Death of Low-Mass Stars, 23.4 Pulsars and the Discovery of Neutron Stars
Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer6.5 Observations outside Earth’s Atmosphere
Wien’s law5.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
WMAP29.4 The Cosmic Microwave Background
Wolf13.1 Asteroids
X
X-rays5.2 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
XMM-Newton6.5 Observations outside Earth’s Atmosphere
Y
year2.1 The Sky Above
Yerkes6.2 Telescopes Today, 17.4 Using Spectra to Measure Stellar Radius, Composition, and Motion
Z
Zeeman effect15.2 The Solar Cycle, 15.2 The Solar Cycle
zenith2.1 The Sky Above
zero-age main sequence22.1 Evolution from the Main Sequence to Red Giants
zodiac2.1 The Sky Above
Previous
Order a print copy

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Citation/Attribution

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book is Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 and you must attribute OpenStax.

Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/astronomy/pages/1-introduction
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a digital format, then you must include on every digital page view the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/astronomy/pages/1-introduction
Citation information

© Jan 27, 2021 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 license. The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.