The Observational Amateur Astronomer [Paperback]

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.Patrick Moore has pulled together a group of professional and amateur astronomers, each an expert in a particular field, to describe how to observe every category of object that is within reach of an astronomical telescope of modest size. Each chapter deals with a different class of object, covering the whole range of possibilities from the Moon, planets and stars to more specialised observations of comets, novae, and meteors. If you own - or are thinking of buying - an astronomical telescope, here is the book that will help you get the most enjoyment out of it. It also explains how best to use your telescope for proper scientific observations, for astronomy is one of the few remaining areas of science where a lot of useful work can be carried out by non-professionals. A companion book, The Modern Amateur Astronomer, deals with the non-observational aspects of astronomy, from buying a telescope (or making your own), through electronic equipment and accessories, to more technical aspects such as spectroscopy and astrophotography.1 The Sun in White Light.- 2 The Sun in Hydrogen-Alpha.- 3 Eclipses.- 4 The Moon.- 5 Mercury and Venus.- 6 Mars.- 7 Jupiter.- 8 Saturn.- 9 The Asteroids and Telescopic Planets.- 10 Meteors.- 11 Comets.- 12 Occultations.- 13 Auror? and Noctilucent Clouds.- 14 Variable Stars.- 15 Supernlã^