For Introductory Astronomy Courses The Essential Cosmic Perspective, Seventh Edition gives non-science majors a streamlined, cutting edge introduction to astronomy built on a strong tradition of effective pedagogy and coverage. Focus on skill building includes new group work exercises that require active participation, helping you to retain concepts longer and build communication skills. MasteringAstronomy® works with the text to create a learning program that enables you to learn interactively both in and out of the classroom. This text is a brief version of the authors? The Cosmic Perspective Plus MasteringAstronomy. This program will provide a better learning experience for you. Here?s how: Personalize learning with MasteringAstronomy: MasteringAstronomy provides you with engaging and interactive experiences that coach you through introductory astronomy with specific wrong-answer feedback, hints, and a wide variety of educationally effective content. Gain a modern understanding of astronomy with the latest content: Since the previous edition, new discoveries about Exoplanets, planetary formation, dark matter, and the early universe have had a significant impact on our understanding of astronomy. The Seventh Edition incorporates this new content to give you a modern presentation of the science. Learn effectively: Better understand astronomy with a clear and continually reinforced learning path from chapter opening to end of chapter using dynamic learning tools in the text and in MasteringAstronomy.