The Essential Cosmic Perspective is a condensed version of the best-selling textbook The Cosmic Perspective. It is designed primarily for one-semester courses that cover all of astronomy.

Click HERE to go to Mastering Astronomy, your link to The Essential Cosmic Perspective companion web site. This site contains resources for students and instructors.

Praise for The Essential Cosmic Perspective:

"It is the most refreshing astronomy text I have seen in years." -- Richard Gray, Appalachian State University

"Your book is aimed at real people. I think you have hit the bull's eye." --James A. Scarborough, Delta State University

"Student questions have been anticipated by an exceptionally thorough writing style... The explanations of complex concepts are artfully accomplished... I really enjoyed reading it." --John Stolar, West Chester University

"This textbook displays great promise in leading the revolution to bring our astronomy courses back from the brink of entertainment and turn them into core science courses on a subject that everyone finds fascinating." --James Schombert, University of Oregon

"This text is superb -- the best astronomy book I have used in 28 years of teaching the course -- I truly enjoy it." --Anthony Jusick, Stetson University

"You and your coauthors are to be commended for the first TRULY innovative intro astronomy text in many years! Well done!" --Joe Heafner, Catawba Valley Community College

Table of Contents

Part 1: Developing Perspective
1. Our Place in the Universe
2. Discovering the Universe for Yourself
3. The Science of Astronomy

Part 2: Key Concepts for Astronomy
4. Making Sense of the Universe: Understanding Motion, Energy, and Gravity
5. Light — The Cosmic Messenger

Part 3: Learning From Other Worlds
6. Formation of Planetary Systems: Our Solar System and Beyond
7. Earth and the Terrestrial Worlds
8. Jovian Planet Systems
9 . Asteroids, Comets, and Dwarf Planets

Part 4: Stars
10. Our Star
11. Surveying the Stars
12. Star Stuff
13. The Bizarre Stellar Graveyard

Part 5: Galaxies and Beyond
14. Our Galaxy
15. A Universe of Galaxies
16 . Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Fate of the Universe
17. The Beginning of Time

Part 6: Life on Earth and Beyond
18. Life in the Universe