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Stars and Galaxies, 15th Edition

Michael A. Seeds, Dana Backman, Eric Wegryn

Copyright 2026
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Stars and Galaxies 15th Edition by Michael A. Seeds/Dana Backman/Eric Wegryn

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Overview

Stars and Galaxies, derived from the comprehensive Foundations of Astronomy, offers a focused pathway through stellar structure, evolution, the interstellar medium, and the nature of galaxies and cosmology. The opening chapters provide grounding in observational tools and the sky, followed by a comprehensive study of the life cycles of stars—from formation through death—and the exotic objects that result. The text then expands outward to explore galaxies, the large-scale structure of the universe, and modern cosmology. A concluding section on extrasolar planets and astrobiology ties the story of stars and galaxies back to the question of life in the universe. This text is best suited for instructors prioritizing astrophysics, stellar phenomena, and the large-scale structure of the cosmos in their curriculum. Available with WebAssign, which features auto-graded problem sets, conceptually driven activities, and access to Virtual Astronomy Labs—interactive simulations that give students hands-on experience with key astronomical concepts, all designed to reinforce learning and increase engagement.

Meet the Authors

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Michael A. Seeds

Mike Seeds was a professor of physics and astronomy at Franklin and Marshall College (F&M) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, from 1970 until his retirement in 2001. In 1989 he received F&M College’s Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. Mike’s love for the history of astronomy led him to create upper-level courses on archeoastronomy and on the Copernican Revolution (“Changing Concepts of the Universe”). His research interests focused on variable stars and automation of astronomical telescopes. Mike is coauthor with Dana Backman of FOUNDATIONS OF ASTRONOMY, 14th Edition (2019); STARS AND GALXIES, 10th Edition (2019); THE SOLAR SYSTEM, 10th Edition (2019); and ASTRO, 3rd Edition (2018), all published by Cengage. He was senior consultant for creation of the 20-episode telecourse accompanying his book HORIZONS: EXPLORING THE UNIVERSE.

Dana Backman

Dana Backman taught with Mike Seeds in the physics and astronomy department at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, from 1991 until 2003. He invented and taught a course titled “Life in the Universe” in F&M’s interdisciplinary foundations program. Dana has also taught introductory solar system astronomy at Santa Clara University, plus introductory courses on astronomy, astrobiology, cosmology and the science of climate change in Stanford University’s continuing studies program. His research interests focused on infrared observations of planetary system formation and evolution of the solar system’s Kuiper belt. Dana is employed by the SETI Institute in Mountain View, California, as lead for the Astronomy Activation Ambassadors teacher professional development program at NASA’s Ames Research Center. Dana is coauthor with Mike Seeds of FOUNDATIONS OF ASTRONOMY, 14th Edition (2019); STARS AND GALAXIES, 10th Edition (2019); THE SOLAR SYSTEM, 10th Edition (2019); and ASTRO, 3rd Edition (2018), all published by Cengage.

Eric Wegryn

Erıc Wegryn is a life-long explorer and explainer. His career began as an aerospace engineer who helped launch NASA's Space Shuttles. Eric transitioned to science, earning a Ph.D. in planetary science from the University of Arizona (Lunar & Planetary Lab), as part of the Mars Pathfinder mission. After Mars, he helped explore Saturn, discovering organic chemicals on Saturn's moons as member of the Cassini mission team at NASA Ames Research Center and the SETI Institute. Eric has taught astronomy, engineering, and physics courses at several colleges in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has traveled the world chasing solar eclıpses and investigating nuclear sites including Hiroshima and Chernobyl. Erıc has also authored Just Twelve Men, a history of the Moon landings, as well as a history of the Space Shuttle program.

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Part 1. The Sky

1. Here and Now

2. A Guide to the Sky

3. Moon Phases and Eclipses

4. The Origin of Modern Astronomy

5. Gravity

6. Light and Telescopes

7. Atoms and Spectra

Part 2. The Stars

8. The Sun

9. The Family of Stars

10. The Interstellar Medium

11. The Formation and Structure of Stars

12. Stellar Evolution

13. The Deaths of Stars

14. Neutron Stars and Black Holes

Part 3. The Universe

15. The Milky Way Galaxy

16. Galaxies: Normal and Active

17. Modern Cosmology

Part 4. Life

18. Extrasolar Planets

19. Astrobiology: Life on Other Worlds