The Practical Astronomer

Discover the wonders of the Universe with this complete introduction to observing and understanding the night sky. This practical guide explains and demystifies stargazing, teaching you to recognize different kinds of objects and showing you how they move through the sky over the course of the night and the year. It shows you how to understand and enjoy the cosmos, building your practical astronomy skills from the basics to more advanced techniques. Beginning with an explanation of the Universe itself - how big is it, what shape is it, how old is it, and will it end? - it then takes you on a tour around the night sky, building up your knowledge in simple stages. Practical advice begins with naked-eye observations, then illustrated step-by-step instructions show you how to set up and use binoculars and telescopes and how to take your own pictures of the night sky. It also lets you take a closer look at the different objects you can view in the night sky, telling you how to train your eye to recognize basic patterns of stars (constellations) and how to tell planets apart from other celestial bodies, showing you how to observe them in an innovative step-by-step way. An atlas of the night sky is also included, with charts that can be used in both the northern and southern hemispheres throughout the year. Accessible, inspirational, and authoritative, The Practical Astronomer will enthuse and inform anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of the night sky.

For anyone who's ever looked at the night sky and wanted to know more about the galaxy around them, The Practical Astronomer offers a comprehensive guide to discovering and understanding the mysteries of the solar system and beyond. Illustrated with specially commissioned photography and artwork, and using clear, easy-to-follow text, The Practical Astronomer takes you on a step-by-step journey from the basics of what can be seen with the naked eye from your own backyard, to how you can view more distant objects such as the planets of the solar system, and even galaxies far, far away. The book opens with an explanation of the fundamentals of astronomy, detailing when, where, and how to look at the night sky. It goes on to cover the necessary equipment and clothing that the amateur astronomer needs, reviewing optical equipment such as binoculars and telescopes, how they work and how to use them. A special section focuses on photography and covers the "how-to's" of capturing beautiful images of what you see. The Practical Astronomer aims to foster an awareness and understanding of what you're looking at-be it a planet, star, or asteroid. Different sections are devoted to looking at how the night sky changes, whether that's because it's viewed from a different place in the world or at a different time of year. Star charts and detailed maps of the night sky are included to aid budding astronomers in their quest to know more about this fascinating subject.

The Compendium of Practical Astronomy is unique. The practical astronomer, whether student, novice or accomplished amateur, will find this handbook the most comprehensive, up-to-date and detailed single guide to the subject available. It is based on Roth’s celebrated German language handbook for amateur astronomers, which first appeared over 40 years ago.

"l hope that people all around the world never forget what a wonderful thing it is to lie on your back and look up at the stars" Pete Seeger What is the fascination that constellations hold for people? There are probably as many different answers to that question as there are people. For many, though, the constella tions are the stepping-off point into the fabulous, mind-bending discoveries and concepts of modern astronomy. For others it is their long and intriguing history that beckons. For some people the constellations provide the means for navigation and orientation over the surface of the Earth, and of course there are the millions who place some faith in horo scopes. But for most people the patterns in the sky are a beautiful part of their environ ment to be treasured alongside the forests, fields and rivers that make life worth living. However just as we are losing our green environment to pollution, so we are losing our sky. The glow from cities across the world swamps the stars in the night sky. Astronomers have had to retreat to remote mountain tops to escape that light pollution. The rest of us must make do with what is available. From the centre of a city, or any other brightly lit area, probably no stars at all will be visible even on the clearest of nights. From the suburbs, the brighter stars should normally be seen.

Now in its fourth edition, this highly regarded book is ideal for those who wish to solve a variety of practical and recreational problems in astronomy using a scientific calculator or spreadsheet. Updated and extended, this new edition shows you how to use spreadsheets to predict, with greater accuracy, solar and lunar eclipses, the positions of the planets, and the times of sunrise and sunset. Suitable for worldwide use, this handbook covers orbits, transformations and general celestial phenomena, and is essential for anyone wanting to make astronomical calculations for themselves. With clear, easy-to-follow instructions for use with a pocket calculator, shown alongside worked examples, it can be enjoyed by anyone interested in astronomy, and will be a useful tool for software writers and students studying introductory astronomy. High-precision spreadsheet methods for greater accuracy are available at www.cambridge.org/practicalastronomy.

This celebrity editor has brought together noted professional and amateur astronomers to submit chapters on their particular field of expertise, each describing how to observe a different class of object. The whole range of possibilities within reach of a small astronomical telescope is covered, from the moon to deep space. The book also shows how to gain the most enjoyment from a telescope, as well as its use for formal scientific observations, since astronomy is one of the few remaining areas of science where useful work can be carried out by non-professionals. The ideal companion to The Modern Amateur Astronomer.

This is the must-have guide for all amateur astronomers who double as makers, doers, tinkerers, problem-solvers, and inventors. In a world where an amateur astronomy habit can easily run into the many thousands of dollars, it is still possible for practitioners to get high-quality results and equipment on a budget by utilizing DIY techniques. Surprisingly, it's not that hard to modify existing equipment to get new and improved usability from older or outdated technology, creating an end result that can outshine the pricey higher-end tools. All it takes is some elbow grease, a creative and open mind and the help of Chung's hard-won knowledge on building and modifying telescopes and cameras. With this book, it is possible for readers to improve their craft, making their equipment more user friendly. The tools are at hand, and the advice on how to do it is here. Readers will discover a comprehensive presentation of astronomical projects that any amateur on any budget can replicate – projects that utilize leading edge technology and techniques sure to invigorate the experts and elevate the less experienced. As the "maker" community continues to expand, it has wonderful things to offer amateur astronomers with a willingness to get their hands dirty. Tweaking observing and imaging equipment so that it serves a custom purpose can take your observing options to the next level, while being fun to boot.

This book will interest anyone who marvels at the night sky and would like to learn to recognise constellations and identify the brightest stars by name. Step-by-step, the reader is guided through the knowledge needed to recognise key constellations, identify stars and planets, and interpret changes in the overall appearance of the sky throughout the year.

Along with its companion book, The Observational Amateur Astronomer, this is a comprehensive guide for every amateur astronomer who wants to do more than just stargaze. Each chapter has been written by a well-known professional or amateur astronomer, chosen for their specialist knowledge. Topics range from buying a telescope (or making your own), via electronic equipment and accessories, to more technical aspects such as spectroscopy and astrophotography. Patrick Moore has edited the book overall into his easy, comprehensible style - known to millions of television viewers.

You'll be seeing stars all year round in this dazzling guide to the night sky. This comprehensive reference ebook shines bright with crystal-clear month-by-month charts of the planets, stars, and constellations in the northern and southern hemispheres. The Night Sky Month by Month features specially-commissioned artworks and stunning photography introducing the main attractions to spot every month, including bright stars, key constellations, and meteor showers. You can get started with ideas for the best equipment to use and top tips for budding beginners and amateur astronomers alike. Then see for yourself how views of the night sky change dramatically depending on the location and time. Soon you'll be navigating the night sky for yourself, following the paths of the planets, tracking the phases of the Moon, and preparing for special celestial events. Get ready to find your place in the Universe with the ultimate night sky atlas.

Using clear and logical routines, this book shows how a variety of problems and exercises in modern astronomy can be readily solved with a scientific calculator. This edition includes new sections on mutations, aberration and selenographic co-ordinates and

Many lights and other objects in the sky go unrecognised, or at least are little understood by those observing them. Such things range from the commonplace like rainbows and meteors, to the distinctly unusual like the green flash and ball lightning. And there is still a residuum of objects that remain unidentified by the watcher – classed generally as ‘UFOs’, a description which today has connotations of the mysterious, even of extraterrestrial visitors. The first part of this book is an identification guide, very much like the "plant identifier" sections found in a good gardening or botany book. It allows quick (and structured) identification of known aerial phenomena, whether at night or during the day. The objects thus found are referenced to the second part of the book... The second part gives a full description, physical explanation, and where relevant notes on observing and photographing the various phenomena. Some will need optical aids such as binoculars or telescopes, but the main thrust of the book is identification and explanation rather than imaging. The final chapter approaches UFOs from a scientific standpoint, particularly the way in which human perception and often preconception affects the outcome. It does however finish with a short section on "extraterrestrial UFOs", emphasising the burden of proof aspect and touching on the scientific theories of life on other worlds and the improbability of visitors.

A practical guide to viewing the universe.

Unlock the mysteries of the night sky with this comprehensive guide to astronomy. The Practical Astronomer explains and demystifies stargazing and teaches you how to observe and navigate the night sky. Learn how to set up your binoculars and telescopes and find out how to spot different celestial bodies, such as stars, planets, nebulae, and galaxies. Train your telescope into the sky and learn astrophotography with your smartphone camera or digital camera. Hop from one star to another to locate the different constellations or other deep space objects. The book contains sky maps charting all the 88 constellations in both the northern and southern hemisphere, helping you map the star patterns, from Ursa Major and Orion to Pavo and Aquarius. The Practical Astronomer also contains monthly star charts that follow the changing positions of stars in the night sky through the year. Discover the solar system and know about other objects, such as satellites and space stations, that light up the sky. A reference section at the back of the book provides handy information about every planet and includes information about eclipses. Become an accomplished amateur astronomer with this practical guide.

For anyone artistically inclined, observing the Moon and attempting to sketch or paint it can easily become a passion. The Moon presents a broad array of tone, texture, and form. Capturing this in a painting or sketch at the eyepiece of a telescope – or even with binoculars – develops observational skills, leaves a record of the observation, and can also be a delightful and rewarding pastime. However, the choice of media available is extensive (acrylic paint, oils, pen, charcoal, etc., and even computer art programs), and there is no existing text that fully explains all lunar sketching and painting techniques in each respective medium. This beautiful and graphically rich book fulfills this requirement. It presents detailed step-by-step instructions, in the form of illustrated tutorials for every major medium employed to represent the Moon. It also provides practical advice on how to sketch outdoors at night (not ideal conditions for an artist!). This is easily the most extensive book on the subject of lunar art for amateur astronomers, particularly those observing through a telescope. The diverse features of the lunar surface will attract and entice readers to review the number of different media presented, exciting and inspiring them with the possibilities of learning to depict all of the fascinating aspects of Earth's very own satellite.

A Practical Guide to Observational Astronomy provides a practical and accessible introduction to the ideas and concepts that are essential to making and analyzing astronomical observations. A key emphasis of the book is on how modern astronomy would be impossible without the extensive use of computers, both for the control of astronomical instruments and the subsequent data analysis. Astronomers now need to use software to access and assess the data they produce, so understanding how to use computers to control equipment and analyze data is as crucial to modern astronomers as a telescope. Therefore, this book contains an array of practical problems for readers to test their knowledge, in addition to a wealth of examples and tutorials using Python on the author’s website, where readers can download and create image processing scripts. This is an excellent study guide or textbook for an observational astronomy course for advanced undergraduate and graduate astronomy and physics students familiar with writing and running simple Python scripts. Key Features Contains the latest developments and technologies from astronomical observatories and telescope facilities on the ground and in space Accompanied by a companion website with examples, tutorials, Python scripts, and resources Authored by an observational astronomer with over thirty years of observing and teaching experience About the Author M. Shane Burns earned his BA in physics at UC San Diego in 1979. He began graduate work at UC Berkeley in 1979, where he worked on an automated search for nearby supernovae. After being awarded a PhD in 1985, Professor Burns became a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Wyoming. He spent the summer of 1988 as a visiting scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, where he helped found the Supernova Cosmology Project (SCP). He continued to work as a member of the SCP group while a faculty member at Harvey Mudd College, the US Air Force Academy, and Colorado College. The 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to the leader of the SCP for the group’s "discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant supernovae." During his career, Professor Burns has observed using essentially all of the world’s great observatories, including the Keck Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope.

An accessible and inspirational astronomy guide that gives you all the knowledge you need to expand your understanding of the night sky. This guide explains and demystifies stargazing, teaching you to recognise different objects such as moons, comets, and asteroids, and explains how they move through the sky over the course of the night and the year. The Practical Astronomer begins with observation with the naked eye, and illustrated introductions show you how to set up and use binoculars and telescopes, and how to take your own pictures. Clear star charts guide you through the Northern and Southern hemispheres, using brighter stars as signposts to locate harder-to-see objects. Map the constellations from Aquila to Virgo, and discover Orion, Gemini, Ursa Minor, and dozens more along the way. A brand-new almanac section tells you the best time of the year to view every planet and includes details of eclipses. The Practical Astronomer is also fully up-to-date with the newest equipment and the latest incredible photos of space. Become an accomplished amateur astronomer with this practical guide. Previous edition ISBN 9781405356206

The Mythology of the Night Sky is intended primarily for amateur astronomers who would like to know the mythology behind the names of constellations and planets. It deals with the 48 constellations identified by the ancient Greek astronomer Ptolemy, as well as all the planets of our solar system and their moons, which are named after Roman gods. To assist practical observers the book gives the location and description of each constellation, including named stars and deep-sky objects. Readers are encouraged to observe and image the constellations for themselves, and there is a lot of practical information in this book to help them along the way. In addition to providing a detailed (and mostly Greek) mythology of the constellations and the vast soap opera that was part of the Ancient Greek pantheon, this book also addresses the planets of the Solar System, which are named after the Roman - not Greek - gods.

For many astronomers, the holy grail of observation is to discover a comet, not least because comets always bear the name of their discoverer! Hunting and Imaging Comets was written for comet hunters and digital imagers who want to discover, rediscover, monitor, and make pictures of comets using astronomical CCD cameras and DSLRs. The old days of the purely visual comet hunter are pretty much over, but this is not to say that amateurs have lost interest in finding comets. The books also covers the discovery of comet fragments in the SOHO image data, CCD monitoring of older comets prone to violent outbursts, the imaging of new NEOs (Near Earth Objects) that have quite often been revealed as comets - not asteroids - by amateur astronomers, and the finding of recent comets impacting Jupiter.