Visual Astronomy in the Suburbs A Guide to Spectacular Viewing [Paperback]

The only practical guide to observing truly spectacular astronomical objects from less than perfect locations.

The only book to deal in depth with the application of image intensifiers to real-time astronomy.

Gives advice on viewing objects, and on making realistic images by drawing or video.

Includes extensive catalogs of spectacular objects that can be seen from suburban sites in both hemispheres.

Most amateur astronomers, because they live in or near cities, have tocarry out their observing from relatively light-polluted sites. It ispossible to reduce the effects of a poor location by the use of CCDimaging, but many observers prefer to look at astronomical objects ratherthan photograph them.Skill, observing techniques, and modern technology - such as imageintensifiers - can now be used to astonishing effect to observe the nightsky in real-time. Illustrating the book with images and some of his ownsuperb drawings, Antony Cooke explains how to observe some of the mostspectacular objects from less than perfect observing sites.Purpose and Fundamentals.- Practical Applications and Viewing Aids.- Techniques for Seeing.- to Drawings and Real Time Video.- The Moon.- The Planets.- Deep Space  Visual Impressions and Expectations: The Primary Catalog.- Second Viewing Catalog.- Supplementary Catalog for the Southern Hemisphere.- Postscript.

From the reviews:

This book is clear, well laid out & and is divided into sections on equipment, techniques for seeing and results of actual observations and captured images. & It is good in what it sets out to do & . (David Fox, Astronomy & Space, May, 2005)

In a series of ten chapters, the author describes how the Moon, planets and deep sky objects can be observed in real time by using a telescope equipped with auxiliary equipment designed to counteract the deletl3-