Handbook of Practical Astronomy (eBook)

Preface 5
Table of Contents 6
List of Authors 21
1 Why Astronomy? 23
Introduction 23
Astronomy and the Observer 23
Specialized Instruments,Methods and Objects 24
Major Objects for the Amateur 25
“The Universe, Yours to Discover” 26
2 Fundamentals of Spherical Astronomy 27
Introduction 27
The Coordinates 27
Time and the Phenomena of DailyMotion 35
Changes in the Coordinates of a Star 38
References 43
3 AppliedMathematics and the Computer 44
Introduction 44
TheTheory of Errors 44
Photographic Astrometry 50
Determination of the Position and Brightness of Planets and of the Planetographic Coordinates 54
Star Occultations and Grazes with the Computer 57
References 60
4 Optics and Telescopes 61
Introduction 61
Pupils and Stops 61
Imaging Errors 63
Methods of Optical Testing 67
Telescope Systems 75
Telescope Performance 90
Collimating a Telescope 95
Accessories 98
Visual Observations 108
Services for Telescopes and Accessories 111
Further Reading 111
5 Telescope Mountings, Drives, and Electrical Equipment 114
Introduction 114
Types ofMountings 114
Mechanics of TelescopeMounting 123
Drivers forMountings 133
Basic Adjustments 145
Further Reading 150
6 Astrophotography 151
The Photographic Image: a Brief Introduction 151
Which Type of Camera? An Overview 153
Simple Photography of the Stellar Constellations 157
Guided Exposures of Star Fields 159
Photography of the Deep Sky 162
Photography of theMoon and Sun 170
High-Resolution Techniques 178
Documentation of Special Astronomical Events 183
References 191
7 The Nature of Light and Matter: Fundamentals of Spectral Analysis 192
Introduction 192
Theoretical Basics 192
Practical Applications 206
References 221
8 Principles of Photometry 222
Introduction 222
Limits and Accuracies of PhotometricMeasurements 226
Astronomical Color Systems 227
The Technique and Planning of Observations 229
Reduction Techniques 236
Photometry of Different Astronomical Objects 244
Construction or Purchase of Receivers and Equipment for Reductions 252
Further Reading 254
References 255
9 Signals from Space: Radio Astronomy for Beginners 256
Introduction 256
What is Radio-Frequency Radiation? 256
The Radio Sun 258
A Compact Radio Telescope for the Gigahertz Band 260
Initial Tests 263
First Light for Your Radio Telescope 263
Possible Upgrades 264
The Giant Planet Jupiter 265
Jupiter as a Radio Source 265
Cause of Decameter Radiation 267
A Simple Radio Telescope for Jupiter 268
Reception in Practice 269
Future Opportunities 270
Additional Information 270
References 271
10 Modern Sundials 272
Introduction 272
The Equinoxial Dial 273
Horizontal Dials and Vertical East–West Dials 273
The Vertical Deviating Dial 276
Designs for Higher Accuracy 281
Further Reading 282
References 283
11 An Historical Exploration ofModern Astronomy 284
Introduction 284
The Heliocentric System 284
Evolution of theTheory of Motions 285
Cataloging the Stellar Sky 286
Astrophysics 287
Stellar Evolution and Stellar Systems 290
Observations at InvisibleWavelengths and Space Exploration 292
Research in Historical Astronomy 293
Further Reading 295
References 297
12 The Social Astronomer 298
Astronomy Clubs 298
Astronomical Societies 299
Star Parties, Astronomical Events and Astronomy Vacations 302
Newsgroups, Internet Portals, Mailing Lists and Chat Rooms 308
Astronomical Education and Outreach 310
Famous Amateur Astronomers 315
Amateur –Professional Partnership 318
The Telescope Tourist 321
Further Reading 324
References 324
13 Earth and Solar System 326
The Sun 326
The Moon 375
Eclipses and Transits 403
Occultations of Stars 423
Artificial Earth Satellites 433
Observation of the Planets 444
Asteroids and Kuiper Belt Objects 500
Comets 515
Meteors and Bolides 543
Noctilucent Clouds, Aurorae, and the Zodiacal Light 552
The Terrestrial Atmosphere and Its Effects on Astronomical Observations 569
References 583
14 Stars and Stellar Systems 589
The Stars 589
Variable Stars 600
Binary Stars 641
The MilkyWay and Galactic Objects 661
Extragalactic Objects 683
References 710
Index 712