A complete guide for the amateur astronomera telescope buyer's guide and field guide to the sky all in one. Winner of a New York Academy of Sciences book award, this popular handbook has been completely revised and updated to reflect the latest astronomical discoveries and new telescope advances. Through the Telescope provides detailed guidance not only on viewing the cosmos, but also on buying and using telescopes and the other complicated equipment needed to explore the wonders of the universe. Stargazers will enjoy a wealth of illustrations as well as: Up-to-date stellar and planetary charts New information on asteroid hunting, planetary spacecraft, and extra solar planets Tips for exploring deep space objects News from the Hubble Space Telescope A rich list of Web sites of interest to amateur astronomers
Table of contents:
The Amateur in Astronomy. The Eye and Astronomy. Binocular Astronomy. Tools of the Astronomer. Eyepieces and Mountings. Finding Your Way Around the Sky. Your First Night Out. Observing the Moon. Observing the Planets. Observing Comets, Asteroids, and Meteors. Observing Double Stars. Observing Variable Stars. Observing Deep-Sky Objects. Observing the Sun. The Amateur Experience. Appendices: A: Internet Links of Interest. B: Astronomy Software and CD-ROMs. C: Selected Groups for the Amateur Astronomer. D: Upcoming Planetary Oppositions and Solar and Lunar Eclipses. E: The Messier Catalog. F: Deep-Sky Objects for the Telescope. G: Double Stars for the Telescope. H: Variable Stars for the Telescope. I: Constellations Visible from 40 Degrees North. J: The Greek Alphabet. K: Astronomical Supplies.
Explore the craters of the moon, the satellites of Jupiter, and the rings of Saturn. Travel as close as you wish, or as far as your imagination can take you. With this practical, hands-on guidebook for the amateur astronomer as your roadmap, the universe can be more accessible than you ever dreamed. In the ten years since this award-winning book was originally written by Michael Porcellino, the field of astronomy has advanced by leaps and bounds. From the astounding images sent back by the Hubble Space Telescope, to the dramatic visit by comet Hale-Bopp, from the fleet of Martian probes, to the long-distance explorations of the outer planets, the universe has become more accessible than ever. Thanks to this revised and thoroughly updated new edition by amateur astronomer and science writer, Patricia Barnes-Svarney, anyone with an interest in all facets of amateur astronomy can delve into its wonders. From the very close up, to the far reaches of space, Through the Telescope presents a uniquely "user-friendly" view of the universe, and offers both novice and advanced amateur astronomers some of the best tools available to watch the nighttime skies. You'll learn all about: Setting up a good, user-friendly telescope system Spotting comets and asteroids Upgrading your telescope for peak performance How to spot star clusters, nebulae, even a supernova Forming your own network of amateur astronomers Complete with a web site appendix and fully updated charts on eclipses and planetary oppositions well into the 21st century, this new edition of an acclaimed book will be an invaluable users guide for aspiring astronomers entering the new millennium.
Originally published by TAB Books in 1989, and authored by amateur astronomer Michael Porcellino (now deceased), the award-winning Through the Telescope is now being completely updated and revised by astronomer and science writer Patricia Barnes-Svarney. A must for any amateur astronomer, this book provides practical guidance on the various types of telescopes available, information on lenses, mounts, and filters, and tips on proper usage. Filled ith details on observing the Moon, the planets, comets, and meteors, as well as in-depth guidance in viewing the stars, this book also includes tips for exploring deep space objects, and special techniques for safely observing the Sun. Barnes-Svarney is updating the book with information on the latest advances in astronomy--the newest planetary spacecrafts Magellan, Clementine, Galileo, and NEAR; new findings on extrasolar planets; news from the Hubble Space Telescope, and more. This edition will have a website appendix and fully updated charts on eclipses and planetary oppositions to run past the year 2000. All new photos will be added to keep up with the latest information available. This is a complete handbook for the amateur--providing not only detailed guidance on viewing the cosmos, but also an in-depth buyer's (and user's) guide to the often complicated equipment every beginner needs to explore the wonders of the universe.
Table of contents:
The Amateur in Astronomy. The Eye and Astronomy. Binocular Astronomy. Tools of the Astronomer. Eyepieces and Mountings. Finding Your Way Around the Sky. Your First Night Out. Observing the Moon. Observing the Planets. Observing Comets, Asteroids, and Meteors. Observing Double Stars. Observing Variable Stars. Observing Deep-Sky Objects. Observing the Sun. The Amateur Experience. Appendices: A: Internet Links of Interest. B: Astronomy Software and CD-ROMs. C: Selected Groups for the Amateur Astronomer. D: Upcoming Planetary Oppositions and Solar and Lunar Eclipses. E: The Messier Catalog. F: Deep-Sky Objects for the Telescope. G: Double Stars for the Telescope. H: Variable Stars for the Telescope. I: Constellations Visible from 40 Degrees North. J: The Greek Alphabet. K: Astronomical Supplies.
Explore the craters of the moon, the satellites of Jupiter, and the rings of Saturn. Travel as close as you wish, or as far as your imagination can take you. With this practical, hands-on guidebook for the amateur astronomer as your roadmap, the universe can be more accessible than you ever dreamed. In the ten years since this award-winning book was originally written by Michael Porcellino, the field of astronomy has advanced by leaps and bounds. From the astounding images sent back by the Hubble Space Telescope, to the dramatic visit by comet Hale-Bopp, from the fleet of Martian probes, to the long-distance explorations of the outer planets, the universe has become more accessible than ever. Thanks to this revised and thoroughly updated new edition by amateur astronomer and science writer, Patricia Barnes-Svarney, anyone with an interest in all facets of amateur astronomy can delve into its wonders. From the very close up, to the far reaches of space, Through the Telescope presents a uniquely "user-friendly" view of the universe, and offers both novice and advanced amateur astronomers some of the best tools available to watch the nighttime skies. You'll learn all about: Setting up a good, user-friendly telescope system Spotting comets and asteroids Upgrading your telescope for peak performance How to spot star clusters, nebulae, even a supernova Forming your own network of amateur astronomers Complete with a web site appendix and fully updated charts on eclipses and planetary oppositions well into the 21st century, this new edition of an acclaimed book will be an invaluable users guide for aspiring astronomers entering the new millennium.
Originally published by TAB Books in 1989, and authored by amateur astronomer Michael Porcellino (now deceased), the award-winning Through the Telescope is now being completely updated and revised by astronomer and science writer Patricia Barnes-Svarney. A must for any amateur astronomer, this book provides practical guidance on the various types of telescopes available, information on lenses, mounts, and filters, and tips on proper usage. Filled ith details on observing the Moon, the planets, comets, and meteors, as well as in-depth guidance in viewing the stars, this book also includes tips for exploring deep space objects, and special techniques for safely observing the Sun. Barnes-Svarney is updating the book with information on the latest advances in astronomy--the newest planetary spacecrafts Magellan, Clementine, Galileo, and NEAR; new findings on extrasolar planets; news from the Hubble Space Telescope, and more. This edition will have a website appendix and fully updated charts on eclipses and planetary oppositions to run past the year 2000. All new photos will be added to keep up with the latest information available. This is a complete handbook for the amateur--providing not only detailed guidance on viewing the cosmos, but also an in-depth buyer's (and user's) guide to the often complicated equipment every beginner needs to explore the wonders of the universe.