Includes bibliographical references and index.

"Astronomy: The Human Quest for Understanding, is an undergraduate-level textbook designed explicitly for general education courses taken by students from every discipline across the university. General education at its best instils in students a breadth of knowledge with an exposure to different ways of thinking. Given that the reader may not take another physical sciences course during their undergraduate career, it is vitally important that they learn how science is conducted, along with the importance of fact-based evidence, critical thinking skills, and the meaning of expertise. It is also necessary that the student understand the nature of scientific theory, the requirement of falsifiability, and the demand of constant testing. Part I emphasizes the history of astronomy, physics, and mathematics, focusing on how new discoveries and advances depend on previous knowledge. Scientists are also emphasized, thus placing science and mathematics in a human context, with special attention given to the many women who have contributed to astronomy. Just as science develops historically, the student's understanding is allowed to grow in the same way. Part II begins with our understanding of the Sun, followed by a brief overview of the Solar System. The remainder of Part II discusses the planets, moons, asteroids, and comets in more detail, concluding with exoplanets and the search for life elsewhere. Part III explores our understanding of stars, including supernovas and black holes, our Milky Way Galaxy, other galaxies and their distribution throughout space, cosmology, the Big Bang, and the distant future"-- Provided by publisher.