The Planet Observer's Handbook [Paperback]

An informative, up-to-date and well-illustrated practical guide to planetary observations for the amateur astronomer.This is an informative, up-to-date and well-illustrated guide for amateur astronomers who wish to make useful observations of the solar system planets and asteroids. The author provides highly-detailed practical instructions to observational techniques and the recording and analysis of data together with the observational history of each planet and the asteroids. Photoelectric photometry, videography and planetary photography are discussed, including sections on the revolutionary charge-coupled devices and on video-assisted drawing.This is an informative, up-to-date and well-illustrated guide for amateur astronomers who wish to make useful observations of the solar system planets and asteroids. The author provides highly-detailed practical instructions to observational techniques and the recording and analysis of data together with the observational history of each planet and the asteroids. Photoelectric photometry, videography and planetary photography are discussed, including sections on the revolutionary charge-coupled devices and on video-assisted drawing.Here is an informative, up-to-date and well-illustrated guide to planetary observations for amateurs. After chapters on the solar system and the celestial sphere, the text explains how to choose, test and use a telescope with various accessories and how to make observations and record results. For each planet and the asteroids, Price gives details of observational techniques, together with suggestions for how to make contributions of sound astronomical value. From a general description and detailed observational history of each planet, readers learn how to anticipate what they should see and assess their own observations. New to this edition is a chapter on planetary photography that includes the revolutionary use of videography, charge coupled devices and video-assisted drawing. Another new feal³