Book Description
ASTRONOMERS’ OBSERVING GUIDES provide up-to-date information for amateur astronomers who want to know all about what it is they are observing. This is the basis of the first part of the book. The second part details observing techniques for practical astronomers, working with a range of different instruments. Star Clusters and How to Observe Them is a mine of information for all levels of amateur observers, from beginners to experienced observers. It begins with a detailed yet easily assimilated description of star clusters, how they were formed as our Milky Way galaxy evolved, and how they are classified. The latest research has revealed a vast amount of fascinating information about the clusters, along with some spectacular photographs. Modern commercially-made telescopes enable amateur astronomers to see a surprising amount of detail, and to record – using CCD cameras, video, webcams or even film – some remarkably beautiful and detailed images. There is detailed information on using refractors, reflectors, SCT’s (like Meade and Celestron) and computer-controlled telescopes The book includes an Observing List cataloguing star clusters to be observed or imaged using a variety of different instruments, all of them available commercially to amateur astronomers.
Customer Reviews:
A Rare Breed!.......2006-07-18
Books specifically about Star Clusters are a rare breed (there are 2, Archinal & Hayes book AND this one!) So I ordered this book with bated breath.
I am glad to report that it did not dissapoint. The scientific data is fresh, non-technical and bang up-to-date and covers all types of clusters including remnants, extragalactic clusters and asterisms. The observing guide and object list is thorough and accessible, and unlike most general deep sky books, the content is geared specifically towards star clusters. Would I recommend this book to cluster enthusiasts and beginners? You bet!
Fascinating and Informative Book.......2006-07-04
I am an amateur living in suburban conditions, so star clusters are ideal targets for my small scope. I found this book invaluable. It gives not only up-to-date information on all aspects of clusters - but in an easy to read format, and no maths in sight. I also found the observing guide and 'hit list' very useful. In my humble opinion, this book is worth every cent.
A great observing guide!.......2006-05-24
This book is easy to read yet goes quite deep into star cluster science and physics - but with a down to earth approach. As a newcomer to astronomy, I found the observing guide very helpful. Even the sections on equipment and techniques were useful as they are geared to star cluster observation. The list of objects is thorough and well thought out - but It could have been larger!
The author states he is an amateur astronomer himself - and his passion for the subject certainly shows. Highly recommended!
An enjoyable and inspiring read.......2006-05-23
I found this book both interesting and factual. It does not contain any history of observing, or mythology but the author mentions that this was intentional. The book covers the science of star clusters very well and most of the latest discoveries are documented.
I did find a few small errors in the text but they don't distract the from the content too much, and I must admit that Springer books in general appear to have more typos than usual.
The sections on observing will appeal to beginners - though advanced amateurs may find these sections too simplistic - I guess the author is trying to appeal to all types of observer?
The list of objects is comprehensive and covers the range from very easy, to pretty hard - some are a little obscure - but at least this presents a challenge. The star charts are very clear - but some of the CCD images are a little ropey - but they are produced by amateur astronomers.
Archinal & Hynes book 'Star Clusters' is a much larger book and covers the history of star clusters and many pages are dedicated to its star cluster catalogues. But if you require a smaller book that concentrates on star cluster science and observing, then Allison's book will suit you better.
I would recommend this book to any star cluster enthusiast.
Star Clusters: The Missed Opportunity.......2006-05-22
I’m an optimist: I believe Man will wake up to Global Warming before we turn our planet into Venus, that there are some honest politicians, and that proofreading will return to the forefront of book publishing.
Alas, today is not that day. Allison’s book so badly needed a proofreader that a fifth-grade teacher, armed with a red pen, would have run out of ink before getting out of the first couple chapters. I think good writing should not only be engaging, but should be free from obvious grammar and spelling errors—it makes it easier to read for the inexperienced reader, and considerably less distracting for the experienced reader.
Allison’s book has so many errors in grammar, including punctuation and tense, that the book is quite distracting to read.
I admire the intent, though, and I would have grudgingly given a nod to the book were it not for the Fatal Flaw that seems to inhabit so many astronomy-oriented books these days: the inclusion of basic information unnecessary to the text or content of the book.
On point: does a book about the structure, history, and observing of star clusters really need basic information about finders, telescope types, Barlows, diagonals, and filters? If you think it does, because the book might be read by a novice stargazer who is not so familiar with the basics of observing, then why include information on cluster classification systems, stellar spectra, and hard-to-observe faint clusters that are test objects for large dobs? Does the reader who understands the science of stars and their classifications, or to whom the difficult clusters would be interesting challenges, really need a primer on finders and Barlows?
I think not. Perhaps the author didn’t either, but was asked to include this information by the publisher. Whichever is the case, it’s there, but it surely didn’t need to be.
Lastly, there is the “meat” of the book; its catalogue of 109 star clusters, replete with finder charts, photographs, basic data, and observation reports. This is the part of the book that might have, despite the other problems aforementioned, redeemed the book in the eyes of this 43 year veteran of star cluster observing.
It was not to be. I could not believe some of the sky’s most spectacular clusters, such as NGC 7789 in Cassiopeia, were left out, while truly difficult (and somewhat mundane) clusters, such as G1 in the Andromeda Galaxy, were included. If the intent is to inspire people to look at star clusters of all types and sizes, with all levels of difficulty, then a more comprehensive approach is necessary. If you compare this to “Star Clusters” by Archinal and Hynes (pub.Willmann-Bell), or “The Night-Sky Observer’s Guide” by Kepple and Sanner (pub.Willmann-Bell), or “Observing Handbook and Catalogue of Deep-Sky Objects” by Luginbuhl and Skiff (pub.Cambridge Univ.Press), the truly poor nature of this book’s contents becomes glaringly apparent.
I do not recommend this book without a major rewriting and the inclusion of a lot more star clusters. Save your money and get one of the books mentioned—your interest will be far better served.
Don Pensack, Los Angeles, May, 2006.
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Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology: An Introduction
ASIN: 3540254986 |
Book Description
The evolution in the form and structure of galaxies which has taken place since the universe was in its infancy is one of the most closely studied by astrophysicists and cosmologists today. It has profound implications for our understanding of how the universe itself has evolved over the past 12 billion years or so. This book will discuss the evolution of galaxies in detail, emphasising the boundaries of our knowledge about the most distant galaxies, but demonstrating how it is possible to make important comparisons between nearby galaxies and the most distant current observed. The author will also review galaxy morphology and its likely (but as yet unproven) history.
Customer Reviews:
THE book on galaxies.......2005-10-31
Spinrad is the man on galaxies--a life's work is before you from the preeminent researcher on distant objects.
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- takes you to the frontiers
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Observational Astrophysics (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library)
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ASIN: 3540634827 |
Book Description
Written specifically for physicists and graduate students, this textbook focuses on fundamental and sometimes practical limitations on the ultimate performance that an astronomical system may reach, rather than presenting particular systems in detail. This second edition has been entirely restructured and almost doubled in size, in order to improve its clarity and to account for the great progress achieved in the last 15 years. It deals with ground-based and space-based astronomy and their respective fields. It presents the new generation of giant ground-based telescopes, with the new methods of optical interferometry and adaptive optics. But it also presents the ambitious concepts behind space missions aimed for the next decades. Avoiding particulars, it covers the whole of the electromagnetic spectrum, and touches upon the "new astronomies" becoming possible with gravitational waves and neutrinos.
Customer Reviews:
takes you to the frontiers.......2005-04-11
Astronomy is going through exciting times, as new and better instrumentation and methods gives us greater insight into the universe. This book helps explain what some of the advances are. It gives basic material about radiation, photometry and the like. There is an important explanation of how the atmosphere has traditionally limited the resolution of images (at least in the visible spectrum) due to turbulence. Which leads the book into some of the attractions of space-based telescopes.
But the book also goes into how ground based telescopes are overcoming the atmospheric barrier. Using adaptive optics in "smart" telescopes. This lets them cancel out the effects of turbulence, on the time scale of that turbulence. Very impressive. We can push to the instrinsic limits of the optics.
The book takes you to the frontiers of modern astronomy.
Book Description
Observing variable stars is one of the major contributions amateur astronomers make to science. There are 36,000 variable stars listed in the General Catalogue of Variable Stars, so it is clearly impossible for the limited number of professional observatories to target even the majority of them. That's where amateur astronomers come in - thousands of them turning their telescopes to the sky every night. Variable star observing is the most popular of "real science" activities for amateurs, and Gerry Good's book provides everything needed. The first part of the book provides a highly detailed account of the various classes of variable star, with examples, illustrations and physical descriptions. The second section covers practical aspects of observing, everything from preparation and planning, through observing techniques, to data management and reduction.
Customer Reviews:
Great book for all amateur astronomers.......2003-05-20
This is a great book for all amateur astonomers but variable star observers will be most pleased. The book covers a great amount of information such as how to observe variable stars, record observational data and report observations regarding variable stars. Also, there is a great amount of information regarding the many types of variable stars such as pulsating Mira type stars, cataclysmic variables, eclipsing binaries as well as many of the less known type variable stars such as SX Phe stars, BY Dra stars, Be stars and many, many more. The book does a very good job of covering so much information, much better than any other book available to the amateur at this time.
I would recommend this book to any amateur astronomer but I would strongly encourage any variable star observer to add this book to their library as soon as they possible could do so. This is a great book for the beginning variable star observer; you'll have more information than you can use for years.
Book Description
This book is intended for amateur astronomers who are readers of Sky & Telescope magazine or similar astronomy periodicals – or are at least at the same level of knowledge and enthusiasm. In particular, those of us who have reached a point where enjoyment is fading because the challenges have run out will appreciate it, because it takes such people to the "next level" in observational astronomy.
It begins with teaching astronomers to use their most important astronomy tool, their eyes. Then it discusses how to select the right telescope – taking into account that everyone is unique – and shows readers how to set up and care for their instruments. Subsequent chapters take the readers on a tour of the solar system as they have never viewed it before… through their own eyes. We start close to home with the hidden treasures of the Moon, on to investigate the power of the Sun, incredibly hot Mercury, the subtleties of Venus, the changing surface of Mars, the outer solar system and then on into deep space. Each chapter includes a series of observing challenges that will entertain and push the reader to continually higher levels of achievement.
Amateur astronomers will learn, through this book, many of the same lessons that professionals learned as they conducted similar observations.
Book Description
The long-awaited second edition of this well-received textbook gives a thorough introduction to observational astronomy. Starting with the basics of positional astronomy and systems of time, it continues with charts and catalogs covering both historically important publications and modern electronic databases. The book builds on a fundamental discussion of the basics of light and the effects of the atmosphere on astronomical observations. Chapters include discussions of optical telescopes, detectors, photometry, variable stars, astrometry, spectroscopy, and solar observations. This edition contains new discussions of measurements with CCDs and appendices give basic statistical methods, useful astronomical software and websites, and sources of accurate time-calibration signals. Observational Astronomy is the perfect textbook for upper level undergraduate or beginning graduate courses on astronomy. Examples based on real astronomical data are placed throughout the text. Each of the well-illustrated chapters is supported by a set of graduated problems and suggestions for further reading.
Book Description
Introducing a range of useful techniques and skills for those wishing to undertake observational work in astronomy and planetary science, this book covers the principles of telescopes and detectors, photometry and spectroscopy and microscopy techniques for analyzing samples. Fully self-contained, it will be a valuable guide for undergraduate students of astronomy and planetary science, as well as amateur astronomers.
Customer Reviews:
Observing the Universe- perfect for class.......2007-03-09
I am using this book as a textbook for my astronomy class. It has all the information I need for the work in class.
Book Description
The Sun is the closest star to Earth, and the only one we can observe in any sort of detail. As such it is a fascinating field of study, and one that is well-suited to amateur astronomers - the Sun is close enough to need little magnification. It also has the practical advantage, unlike every other astronomical object, of being visible in the daytime!
During solar eclipses, there are momentary chances to observe and photograph some spectacular and scientifcally interesting sights.
Studying the Sun nonetheless needs specialist knowledge. Safety is paramount, as without the right precautions the heat and light of the Sun would instantly blind the observer. But given the right techniques, the Sun is a rewarding subject for amateur astronomers: in this book, Professor Chris Kitchin provides all the information needed for safe solar observing.
Book Description
Field Guide to the Deep Sky Objects is a uniquely usable guide for observers. Following detailed descriptive summaries of each class of object, it includes extensive lists of deep-sky targets which are classified according to type of object:
- Stars (bright, coloured, double, triple, quad, multiple);
- The spectral sequence;
- Clusters;
- Globular clusters;
- Stellar associations;
- Stellar streams;
- Nebulae (emission, dark, reflection, planetary);
- Supernovae remnants;
- Galaxies (spiral, elliptical, irregular).
Each of these groups is organised by month of best visibility, and within that by ease of observing. Simply, this means that you can choose a class of object, and for any month of the year find an observing list that begins with easiest through to progressively more difficult targets!
Amateur astronomers of all levels of ability will find this book invaluable for its broad-ranging background material, its lists of fascinating objects, and for its application as "graded exercises" to improve practical observing skills while viewing many different types of deep-sky object.
Customer Reviews:
Good idea but not well done, sorry!.......2002-06-15
I have never read an astronomical book that contains so much duplicated information. Many facts appear several times in different places in the book for reasons that are far from clear. Tighter editing might have reduced the page count by 10 or 15% without lowering the value of the book.
Review and Suggestions.......2001-08-17
This is a useful addition to my growing library. However, the item arrangement takes some getting used to and anyone purchasing this book should read the introductory text in each chapter to better understand how Inglis has organized this volume before using it in the field. His text is very readable and the explanations useful for anyone who doesn't want to get immersed in a lot of technical detail.
One drawback for me is that Inglis mixes Northern and Southern Hemisphere objects in his lists. I intend to add some sort of notation to indicate this. Adding the common name of the constellation in which the object is located would be another worthy addition for those of us who are truly "amateurs".
If Inglis ever revises this book, I would humbly suggest that the chapters be arranged in halves -- one for northern hemisphere objects and one for the southern hemisphere.
Another feature of this book that could be either an advantage or a disadvantage (depending on one's perspective) is that grouping similar objects (eg. variable stars) together makes it really difficult to use this volume in the field if you want to observe many different types of objects. On the other hand, I have never done any field observation that consisted of looking at only one type of object (to compare and contrast etc.) and this book has motivated me to try this technique.
A practical field guide.......2001-05-29
This is one book which I will make sure is with me when I am with my telescope at a dark site. Organized by type of object and month(s) of best viewing, this book is an indispensible guide to the various deep sky objects visible, with their locations and which day they transit the meridian at midnight. Objects are grouped as stars, clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and faint/far away/invisible. This text goes beyond the Messier objects and has objects from various sources with descriptions as they would appear in most amatuer telescopes or binoculars.
This book does seem to be targeted at Northern hemisphere observers, as I do not believe any of the objects listed are south of 42 deg S, with the exception of stars.
exactly what I was looking for.......2001-05-18
I'll make this quick... I'm an ATM and an avid astro-buff.. I've always wondered what I *should* be seeing. This book clears up many questions and puts forth a practical collection of data describing what to expect to see with moderate telescopes up to 10 inches (dia) or so. - excellent format and very well organized - great detail - gives human description of objects in text - no false impressions by giving fancy color photos - feels like reading my own notes. If you like the title... you will like this book. Definetely a guide worth having!
Book Description
Double stars are the rule, rather than the exception: our solar system, having a single sun, is in the minority. Orbiting satellites, ground-based observatories and interferometers have all helped discover many hundreds of new pairs - but this has left enormous numbers of wide, faint pairs under-observed or not observed at all. This is where amateur astronomers can help. Bob Argyle, a professional astronomer at Cambridge University, shows where enthusiastic amateur observers can best direct their efforts. The book caters for the use of every level of equipment, from simple commercial telescopes to micrometers and CCD cameras. Amateur astronomers who have gone beyond "sight-seeing” and want to make a genuine scientific contribution will find this a fascinating and rewarding field - and this book provides all the background and practical information that’s needed.
Customer Reviews:
for the amateur astronomer.......2006-12-04
Argyle's book is useful for the amateur astronomer. Showing how even in these days of multimillion dollar observatories, you can still make a meaningful contribution to astronomy with quite affordable and modest equipment.
The text goes through elementary optics, that can be found in such standard texts as Hecht and Zajac. But it quickly specialises in details specific to observing binaries in the visual spectrum. With simple measurement techniques whose geometry you can readily grasp and apply.
All a beginner need to know about double stars.......2005-03-23
I have been a amateur asteroid hunter for a few years but lately my interest switch to double stars. I found that information found on the web is too "bits and pieces". This book give me (an beginner) all the information I need. It is the best $30 I have spent.
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