Setting-Up a Small Observatory: From Concept to Construction (eBook)
XVI, 235 Seiten
Springer New York (Verlag)
978-0-387-68621-9 (ISBN)
Arditti's approachable work covers the all the details of design, siting and construction - once a basic type has been decided upon. It is written in a way that is equally applicable to the USA and UK (where there are slightly different building regulations) and deals with matters that are basic to building and commissioning any amateur observatory. Uniquely, David Arditti also considers the aesthetics of amateur observatories - fitting them in with family and neighbors, and maybe disguising them as more common garden buildings if necessary. Every amateur astronomer who wants a purpose-built observatory (and let's face it, which one of them doesn't?) will find this book invaluable.
A physicist by training and specializing in materials science, David Arditti earns his living as a music writer and classical musician. He is a member of the British Astronomical Association and a committee member of the West of London Astronomical Society. He has written papers for the BAA Journal on the construction of small observatories.
Two books in this series, Small Astronomical Observatories, have been widely read and used. This new book by David Arditti gives the full story - how to chooseatelescope,howtoconstructanobservatoryforit,andhowtomakethe bestofitwhencompleted. Astronomyisthebestofallhobbies;itcantakeupasmuchtimeasyoulike- or as little. In any case, you will make many friends, and give yourself endless enjoyment. Tobeaproper"e;astronomer"e;youneedanobservatory,andthisbook tells you how to set about making one. Follow David Arditti's advice, and you willnotregretit. Here'stoclearskies! PatrickMoore ix Author'sPreface Books on amateur observatories are quite rare, and most, if not all of them, in the past, have taken the form of collections of articles on particular obser- tories authored by their builders. The two books on observatories in this series already published, Small Astronomical Observatories, and More Small Ast- nomical Observatories are of this type. While useful, a danger of this approach is that it leaves gaps, and can be inconsistent in style and coverage. Discussing it with John Watson, the UK astronomy editor for Springer, we considered that it might be time for a more systematic and logical approach to be taken to the subject. Discussing it with other practical astronomers, there was also a feeling that the coverage of the subject in print had not kept pace with the technical developments that have transformed amateur astronomy, at least for some, in the last couple of decades, and that the examples in print now seemed rather old-fashioned. This book is the result of these considerations.
A physicist by training and specializing in materials science, David Arditti earns his living as a music writer and classical musician. He is a member of the British Astronomical Association and a committee member of the West of London Astronomical Society. He has written papers for the BAA Journal on the construction of small observatories.
Contents 6
Foreword 9
Author’s Preface 10
Acknowledgements 11
Telescopes and Techniques 13
What is an Observatory? 13
Of Telescopes and Allied Equipment 17
Visual, Film or Electronic Observing? 35
A Summary of the Options 41
The Observatory Site 43
Selecting the Best Site 43
How Large Should It Be? 46
Environmental Considerations 49
Statutory Planning Requirements and Building Codes 52
Types of Observatories 54
A Fully-Portable Setup 54
Removable Telescopes with a Fixed Mounting 57
Run-Off Sheds 59
Run-Off Roof Observatories 62
Domed Observatories 67
Totally-Rotating Observatories 70
Novel Designs 71
To Build or To Buy? 74
Costs of DIY and Ready-Made Observatories 74
Adapting Commercially-Made Outbuildings 76
Employing Others to Build Your Observatory 77
Techniques of Construction 79
Tools 79
Foundations and Stability 80
Materials and Joining Them 84
Finishing the Observatory 94
Paint and Preservation 94
Flooring 95
Regulation of Temperature and Humidity 95
Security 97
Organising the Observatory 98
Electricity 98
Lighting 103
Storage of Equipment 105
Cables 106
Comfort and Convenience 108
Observing Positions, Chairs, Ladders, and Platforms 108
Warm Rooms and Automation 113
Some Case Studies 122
Bob Garner's Observatory: CCD Imaging from a Converted London Garage 122
Martin Mobberley's Plastic Shed Adaptation and His Telescope on Wheels 129
Olly Penrice's Observing Retreat in the South of France 137
My Observatory: A Combined Run-Off Roof and Run-Off Shed Construction 145
Dave Tyler's A Priori Fibreglass Dome 164
Norm Lewis's Observatory: An Experience with a Commercial Dome 174
Es Reid's Solar Observatory 181
Richard Miles' Compact Remote-controlled Photometric Facility 188
Mike Morrison-Smith's Dobsonian Storage Box 192
Maintaining and Getting the Best from Equipment 195
Collimation 195
Refractors 195
Newtonians 196
Cassegrains 200
Schmidt-Cassegrains and Other Catadioptrics 201
Star Collimation 201
Cleaning Optics 204
Adjustment, Cleaning and Lubrication of Mechanics 207
Preventing Dew 208
Polar-Alignment for Equatorials 210
Balance, Accessories and Extra Telescopes 212
Software 223
Final Thoughts 226
APPENDIX ONE 227
APPENDIX TWO 229
Chapter 1 229
Chapter 2 230
Chapter 3 230
Chapter 7 230
Chapter 8 230
Chapter 9 230
Chapter 10 231
Index 232
| Erscheint lt. Verlag | 20.12.2007 |
|---|---|
| Reihe/Serie | The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series | The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series |
| Vorwort | P. Moore |
| Zusatzinfo | XVI, 235 p. 115 illus. |
| Verlagsort | New York |
| Sprache | englisch |
| Themenwelt | Naturwissenschaften ► Physik / Astronomie ► Astronomie / Astrophysik |
| Technik | |
| Schlagworte | amateur astronomer guide • building an observatory • building a telescope dome • Observatories • observatory construction • telescope equipment set-up • tools for amateur astronomers |
| ISBN-10 | 0-387-68621-5 / 0387686215 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0-387-68621-9 / 9780387686219 |
| Haben Sie eine Frage zum Produkt? |
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