<p>So I’ve had the syllabus for my Astronomy class for a couple weeks now, and the professor wrote that we needed “cosmic perspective 6th ed”. Well, that was easy, I didn’t think I needed to verify it with the bookstore, so I just bought it online. Lo and behold, according the bookstore, we need “the essential cosmic perspective 6th ed.” </p>
<p>Is this a big enough problem that I should return the book or do you think I’ll be fine?</p>
<p>I’m confused. Did you buy the wrong book or the wrong edition? (I only ask, because both books you mentioned were the 6th edition…)</p>
<p>If it’s the wrong edition, it is probably okay… if it’s the wrong book… Not so much.</p>
<p>I guess that’s the part I don’t really understand either. I was wondering if anyone else had been in a similar situation. I looked at the table of contents online and the books are nearly similar, the only difference being that one I purchased has more content.</p>
<p>compair isbns… simple.</p>
<p>If your professor is using the online supplements, you may have to return it. I looked at both books… I’m shocked. What the **** is this? The essential one is newer, but the only differences are that is has pop-out diagrams instead of flat ones, different exercises, and that it’s somehow ~180 pages shorter. They appear to both have… essentially the same content… but one is more expensive (essential). They might also have different internet supplements, but it’s REALLY hard to tell since the descriptions tell you nothing. Same authors for both texts, but the essential version seems to be out of print even though its newer. Actually, I would keep the essential ********</p>
<p>All right… I think I’ll just email my professor since it’s obviously his mistake. thanks for the help!</p>