Scientific American the Amateur Astronomer

ISBN-13: 9780471382829 / Angielski / Miękka / 2000 / 288 str.

Scientific American; Amer Scientific Amer; Marilyn Carlson Nelson

Opis

From the longest running column in Scientific American's history comes this collection of fascinating projects for amateur astronomers
For over seventy years, ""The Amateur Scientist"" column in Scientific American has helped people explore their world and make original discoveries. This collection of both classic and recent articles presents projects for amateur astronomers at all levels. Hands-on astronomy fans will find how to build inexpensive astronomical instruments using ordinary shop-tools. From making a telescope to predicting satellite orbits to detecting the chemical composition of faraway stars, this book has something for everyone interested in practical astronomy.

Recenzje

An anthology of interest to the backyard astronomer, from America's leading science magazine. "The Amateur Scientist," as Carlson points out in his brief introduction, has run in Scientific American for over 70 years. From the Start, it has been written for the amateur interested in making observations of various celestial phenomena, often with homemade equipment. The collection of articles from those years is updated to reflect the changes both in technology and in society at large (many supply houses and research sources, for example are now most easily found online). Most of the pieces assume considerable dedication to the task at hand: grinding a telescope mirror (a frequent first project for young scientists), while comparatively inexpensive, involves a substantial investment of time to achieve a precision component. Technical and mathematical sophistication is a given here; readers uncomfortable with equations will soon find themselves at sea. But for those who want to do hands-on science, this is a gold mine: it offers several variations on the basic reflecting telescope, as well as tips on taking astronomical photos and designs for an ocular spectroscope. For those who want to explore beyond the visual spectrum, it gives plans for two homemade radio telescopes. The study of artificial satellites (unheard of in the early days of the column) occupies two chapters. Other projects include two novel sundials (one based on a globe of the earth), instruments to stimulate planetary orbits and pointers on observing specific objects (such as the moon or Jupiter). Where relevant (for example, in regard to solar observations) there are ample safety tip. The writing is for the most part clear, although technical terms are necessarily plentiful. Certainly not for everyone, but for its intended audience this is an indispensable book. --Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 2000

Spis treści

Foreword.

Introduction.

TELESCOPE MAKING.

A Simple Telescope for Beginners.

How to Grind, Polish and Test an Aluminum Telescope Mirror.

The Behavior of the Telescope-maker's Pitch.

The Dall-Kirkham Telescope.

Principles of Erecting Telescopes.

Powerful Pocket Telescopes.

A Novel Refracting Telescope.

"Off-Axis" Reflecting Telescopes.

Steady Telescope Mountings.

Two Amateur-Built Radio Telescopes.

THE SUN.

How to Observe and Record Sunspots Safely.

Sun of a Gun.

A Coronagraph to View Solar Prominences.

Two Spectroheliographs for Observe the Solar Disk.

THE EARTH, MOON, AND SATELLITES.

A Pendulum That Detects the Earth's Rotation.

Observing Changes on the Moon.

Curious Amateur Observations of the Moon.

A Pauper's Guide to Measuring Latitude.

Precision Geolocation Using Lunar Occultation.

Sundial Potpourri.

How to Study Artificial Satellites.

Predicting Satellite Orbits.

THE PLANETS, COMETS, AND STARS.

Amateur Observations of Jupiter.

Predicting Planetary Alignments.

Catch a Comet by Its Tail.

A Picture-Perfect Comet.

A Device to Simulate Planetary Orbits.

An Astrophysical Laboratory in Your Backyard.

An Ocular Spectroscope.

Monitoring Variable Stars.

Glossary.

Further Reading.

Contact List.

Index.

O autorze

SHAWN CARLSON has authored Scientific American's "The Amateur Scientist" column since 1995. He is the Executive Director of the Society for Amateur Scientists and a 1999 winner of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation "genius" Fellowship.