The Modern Scholar: Astronomy I: Earth, Sky, and Planets

by James B. Kaler

Alternate cover edition of ISBN 9781449870232

The Earth, the sun and moon, the planets, comets, asteroids and meteors - the solar system is all around us, yet how much do we truly know about it? When we explore the Earth and the layout of the sky, what can we learn about the meanings of the day, the year, the seasons, and the constellations? Which physical laws control what we see, and what are the natures of the celestial bodies? Professor James Kaler - a former Fulbright and Guggenheim Fellow and author of many acclaimed books on astronomy - answers these questions, taking us on a fascinating and informative voyage through the Solar System.The heart of this course examines the planets themselves, and reveals how they are constructed and how they differ from one another. By studying the physical astronomy of all the planets in the Solar System, we can attempt to understand their true nature. Ultimately, these lectures will bring us to a greater understanding of the Solar System's creation, which brings us again back to the beginning and what it means to us as we look outward from our rotating Earth.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Astronomy, Audiobook, Space

Audiobook

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Nichole ~Bookaholic~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good series of Lectures....I got a telescope for christmas that I can hook my camera up to....and when I started reading books on the matter I was completely lost. This has help to make some of what I have been reading make more sense. Will pick up the next two in the series later this month to continue

[Jason Baldauf · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent series of lectures by Professor of Astronomy James Kaler with the University of Illinois. They cover the planets and our solar system, and are presented in a easy to understand narration. An involved topic such as this presented by a knowledgeable professor in a manner that is both extremely informative and engaging, was enjoyable. Thanks to Professor Kaler, I finally understand what tidal locking is and why we only see one side of the moon. Anyone with an interest in Astronomy would benefit from this commendable presentation.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever miss those days in college when you got to learn about all different subjects at a survey level? It turns out you can go back! Interesting subject, engaging professor. I'll need to listen to the explanation of retrograde again to understand, but I can do that since it is recorded. Just wish I could ask questions of the professor, too! Highly recommend!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, educational but will require more thorough listening/reading if you want to fully comprehend the vastness of space and all the unknows.

[Jonathan McLeod · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Kaler, astronomy professor at the University of Illinois, delivers a series of 14 collegiate lectures in which he surveys the many diverse non-stellar objects observed in our solar system.

I found these lectures very interesting. I knew a bit about our solar system prior to listening, but was pleased to discover more intriguing details about her planets and moons. I greatly appreciated moments when Kaler described how we know what we know. It helped me put into perspective how the depth of our understanding has evolved with time.

I recommend these lectures to anyone curious about astronomy and geoscience. Kaler is a great story teller and his pleasant cadence helps the listener follow his train of thought.

[Robert Vlach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hned dvě výborné audioknihy z populárně-naučné série Modern Scholar. V prvním díle Earth, Sky and Planets popisuje prof. James Kaler naši planetu a sluneční soustavu, ve druhém Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe pak hvězdy, galaxie a celý vesmír. Nahrávky jsou z roku 2003, takže už jsou místy lehce neaktuální, ale jako úvod do moderní astronomie to nemá chybu. V autě se to dobře poslouchalo.

[Lucas Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boy, did I learn a lot from this one! Professor Kaler tends to rush through some of the details from time to time but, overall, this was a primer on astronomy that will get me looking to the skies more frequently and with a lot more comprehension of what's up there. Excellent for wanna-be stargazers and parents of inquiring kids. Do you know why the moon comes up at different times of day? Why one side of the moon always faces us? Why Pluto is considered a planet by some and not others? You will know all these and much, much more after listening...

[Any Length · Rating 5 out of 5]

James B. Kaler makes Astronomy become the easiest topic to learn. He explains it so well that it all begins to make sense. A wonderful course to take for anyone who wants to learn about the earth, sun, other planets, meteorites, solar systems, the galaxy, and be assured that our sun will never explode. Because it can't. I was ever so glad to hear that.
He is also a fun guy to listen to. Highly recommended.

[Bret · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've grown fond of lectures on tape. The astronomy ones might be best listened to on a clear night, when you can try to find the things they are talking about, rather than in a car, where all the talk of declinations and right ascensions are rather meaningless.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good lecturer. I think this course needs more study than I put into it. Astronomy is one of the fields of science I know least about, so I could easily re-listen to these lectures and learn some more.

[Shockvalue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great primer on Astronomy. Subjects were deep enough to keep it interesting, but moved along quick enough to give a good overview of our solar system. A little dry at times, but hey, it's a lecture series and not pulp fiction.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great listen, and organized in an easy to digest manner...because it is chock-a-block full of material!! Kaler is fun to listen to, with an easy-going manner that makes this large, complex topic very approachable. Great introduction to a big topic!

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like astronomy, this is a good read ( or listen)

[Michelle Mormul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring but informative