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Good astrophysics/astronomy books?

I'm looking for an astrophysics book which I would be able to understand (as an a level physics student) and is kept interesting with good explanations and possibly maths to illustrate what is being said- does anyone have any recommendations? I'm quite interested in topics such as galaxies/black holes/stars/planets etc :cool:

EDIT: I've found these books- thoughts?

Sizing up the universe: a new view of the cosmos:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sizing-Up-Universe-View-Cosmos/dp/1426206518/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1403208948&sr=1-1&keywords=Sizing+Up+the+Universe%3A+The+Cosmos+in+Perspective

Edge of the Universe: A voyage to the comic horizon and beyond
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0470636246/ref=rdr_ext_sb_ti_sims_1

Black holes and timewarps: Einstein's outrageous legacy:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Holes-Time-Warps-Commonwealth/dp/0393312763

It's likely I'll mention the book I get on my UCAS application, so please tell me if any of them wouldn't be "suitable"
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by BP_Tranquility
I'm looking for an astrophysics book which I would be able to understand (as an a level physics student) and is kept interesting with good explanations and possibly maths to illustrate what is being said- does anyone have any recommendations? I'm quite interested in topics such as galaxies/black holes/stars/planets etc :cool:

EDIT: I've found these books- thoughts?

Sizing up the universe: a new view of the cosmos:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sizing-Up-Universe-View-Cosmos/dp/1426206518/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1403208948&sr=1-1&keywords=Sizing+Up+the+Universe%3A+The+Cosmos+in+Perspective

Edge of the Universe: A voyage to the comic horizon and beyond
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0470636246/ref=rdr_ext_sb_ti_sims_1

Black holes and timewarps: Einstein's outrageous legacy:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Holes-Time-Warps-Commonwealth/dp/0393312763

It's likely I'll mention the book I get on my UCAS application, so please tell me if any of them wouldn't be "suitable"


I haven't read any of those - the first two look a bit 'coffee table'

Universe by Freedman and Kaufman is a readable 1st year undergrad textbook
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Avatar for dknt
dknt
12
Cosmology, by Steven Weinberg should set you straight :colone:
Any Brian Cox books are a very good read. :yep:

I put them and Patrick Moore's "Astronomy" on my UCAS. :h:
Original post by Joinedup
I haven't read any of those - the first two look a bit 'coffee table'

Universe by Freedman and Kaufman is a readable 1st year undergrad textbook


Ooh, I've got that book- would it be worth mentioning on a UCAS application though?
Original post by BP_Tranquility
Ooh, I've got that book- would it be worth mentioning on a UCAS application though?


I'm not up to date with what's normal for a PS at all tbh.

although I think it's a worthwhile book and goes into greater depth than A level (dunno if you agree) and therefore there's some value in reading it before uni I don't know if it'd help your application much or not.

I'd *guess* that they're probably not very interested in seeing bald statements about what you've read unless you're using it to support a statement about your personality and interest in the subject.

probably you should ask a PS helper or someone who's been through the system more recently.

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