(meteorobs) Re: Astronomy on the Personal Computer, 4th edition (with C++ code)?

[Geert Barentsen]

Hello Lew and others,

"Astronomy on the Personal Computer" is a nice book. It is somewhat 
complementary to the well-known "Astronomical Algorithms" book by Jean 
Meeus. The latter contains a lot of algorithms, but often leaves you 
wondering about the origin of a formula. This new book contains 
illustrations and derivations to help you understand some aspects of 
celestial mechanics and related problems. The main topics are: coordinate 
systems, rising/setting times, cometary orbits, special perturbations, 
planetary orbits, physical ephemerides of the planets, the orbit of the 
moon, solar eclipses, stellar occultations, orbit determination and astrometry.

You will need some level of C++ experience to understand all code, but 
there should be no problem for people with basic programming and decent 
math skills.

My opinion (having read only a part of the book so far): if you solely care 
about the algorithms, get Jean Meeus' book as your reference guide. If you 
also like to understand and learn about the topics discussed, definitely 
consider this book!

Greetings,
Geert


PS: Does anyone know of other nice books on this topic?  Maybe good math. 
books on celestial mechanics?




>> > At 21:27 27-3-2005, you wrote:
>> > >Does anyone have a copy of the book "Astronomy on the Personal Computer",
>> > 4th
>> > >edition (with C++ code on CDROM), by Montenbruck and Pfleger, 
>> translated by
>> > >Dunlop, that they would be willing to let me have a look at, (and/or 
>> sell
>> > >to me
>> > >used, especially if they're not in the New England or South Florida 
>> areas)?
>> > >
>> > >I'm considering taking a job in scientific computing, and have heard some
>> > good
>> > >recommendations of the code and algorithms in this book. I know it's 
>> a bit
>> > of
>> > >an imposition (sounds like a nice book!) - but I'd sure appreciate it.
>> > >
>> > >If you have a copy you'd be willing to lend (or sell), let me know
>> > privately?
>> > >
>> > >Or if you just want to email me privately with comments about this 
>> book, or
>> > >recommendations of others you think are better, I'd also appreciate that!
>> > >
>> > >Thanks, and clear skies all!
>> > >Lew Gramer
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >__________________________________
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>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>Lew Gramer <dedalus at alum.mit.edu>
>>
>>
>>
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