Astronomy

[Embassy]

Can anyone recommend lectures or a text for astronomy? This is for a kid who has lived and breathed astronomy so he doesn't want any kind of introduction. He is looking for something that explores more indepth even if the math is over his head (finished Algebra 1). Planetary science is his favourite topic. I'm looking for a 1/2 credit for him on this. Any ideas?

[regentrude]

Great Courses lecture series by Filippenko is very good.

 

Not sure how in depth you want - would a college astronomy text for non-majors be too basic? Chaisson is good, as is Bennett (Cosmic Perspective). But maybe your DS is beyond that level.

 

Any more advanced text would have physics as a prerequisite.

But I am not sure how beneficial an advanced text is if a student cannot follow the math. 

Edited July 5, 2016 by regentrude

[theelfqueen]

DS is using a Coursera course and the Crash Course Videos and some misc other stuff this year (10th grade). 

 

This coursera option Imagining Other Earths might be of interest.

Edited July 5, 2016 by theelfqueen

[goldberry]

We used Astronomy Today, but honestly if he is into planetary science, there is more info on the internet than in textbooks.  The info changes so fast in that area.  (If you mean exoplanets as opposed to the solar system.)

[daijobu]

I'm enjoying reading In Quest of the Universe for fun, which I heard about on these boards.  Full color, detailed explanations of scientific concepts.  It was published in 2013, so a little out of date especially with respect to Mars (and now Jupiter!).