Mathematical Astronomy Morsels V [By Meeus]

Title: Mathematical Astronomy Morsels V
Author(s): Jean Meeus
Other Info: 6.0" by 9.0", 373 pages, Hardbound, 1.5 lb item wt.

In 1997 Jean Meeus wrote Mathematical Astronomical Morsels a collection of about 60 chapters on various aspects of mathematical astronomy that were independent of one another and that could be read in any order. Each were updated versions of articles written at different times and for several different European and Canadian journals, principally Heelal, the monthly journal of the Belgian Dutch-language astronomical society ‘Vereniging voor Sterrenkunde’ (VVS).

Five years later (2002) More Mathematical Astronomical Morselsappeared with 75 chapters divided into six categories: The Moon, Eclipses and Occultations, Planetary Motions, Planetary Phenomena, On the Celestial Sphere and Varia.

Two years later (2004) Mathematical Astronomy Morsels III was published with 57 chapters divided into six categories: The Moon, Eclipses, Planetary Motions, Planetary Phenomena, On the Celestial Sphere and Varia.

Three years later (2007) Mathematical Astronomy Morsels IV appeared and Jean Meeus wrote “To our surprise, there are still more interesting subjects in the field of mathematical astronomy, whence this fourth collection of Morsels.” Morsels IV contains 68 chapters divided into six categories: The Moon, Eclipses, Occultations, Planetary Motions, Planetary Phenomena and Varia.

And now, just two years later (2009) Mathematical Astronomy Morsels V! Here Jean Meeus writes “Since the publication of our 4th Morsels book, we have accumulated a lot of new and interesting subjects in the field of mathematical astronomy, and there were enough of them to fill this fifth collection of Morsels. Apparently, an infinite number of possible topics do remain”. Morsels V contains 69 chapters divided into six categories: The Moon, Eclipses and Occultations, Planetary Phenomena and Varia. Additionally there is a cumulative Index for all five volumes along with corrections to Morsels I and IV.

In the first book of this series Roger Sinnott probably has written the best description of the Jean Meeus’ work:

“Many celestial cycles are fleeting, destined to fade away after a few iterations as others overlap them or start up afresh. It is a fallacy to think that you can recreate planetary motions for many years by spinning back or fast-forwarding a planetarium projector. Only someone with a profound grasp of astronomical motions and relationships could have produced an authoritative book like this.

“Some readers will see here an antidote to the claims of astrology. Others will gain a deep insight into the misuse of statistics, especially in such areas as the sunspot cycle and its relation to weather on Earth. But all of us can acquire plenty of ammunition to settle bets at star parties, test computer programs, and amaze our friends (or an astronomy professor) with some little-known surprises about the sky and calendar.

“So why exactly does Christmas fall more often on a Tuesday than on a Monday? How many centuries will elapse before 10 successive Easters occur in April? What is the reason that total solar eclipses are more common for observers in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern? Turn thes pages in the first Mossels, and you’ll find out!” So will you find equally interesting in Morsels V.

Mathematical Astronomy Morsels
More Mathematical Astronomy Morsels
Mathematical Astronomy Morsels III
Mathematical Astronomy Morsels IV