The Urban Astronomer's Guide: A Walking Tour of the Cosmos for City Sky Watchers

ISBN-13: 9781846282164 / Angielski / Miękka / 2006 / 300 str.

Rod Mollise

Opis

This book covers the "why," "how," and "what" of astronomy under light-polluted skies. The prospective city-based observer is told why to observe from home (there are hundreds of spectacular objects to be seen from the average urban site), how to observe the city sky (telescopes, accessories, and moderns techniques), and what to observe. About half of the book is devoted to describing "tours" of the sky, with physical and observational descriptions, at-the-eyepiece drawings, and photographs.

Recenzje

From the reviews:

"The Urban Astronomer's Guide seeks to debunk and a convincing job it does too. ... a useful introduction to astronomy in general and a helpful guide to anyone, urban or otherwise, thinking of buying or upgrading their equipment. ... The Urban Astronomers Guide brings serious deep space observation right to where you can get the most out of it - your own back yard." (Ray Bradfield, Astronomy and Space, February, 2008)

Spis treści

Part One: Telescopes, Equipment and Techniques Chapter 1: The Why and How of Urban and Suburban Observing Chapter 2: Suitable Telescopes Chapter 3: Essential and Optional Accessories for Polluted Skies Chapter 4: Observing Techniques and Special Projects Part Two: Observing Guide and Suggested Sky Tours Chapter 5: Spring objects Chapter 6: Summer objects Chapter 7: Autumn objects Chapter 8: Winter objects Appendices Internet Resources Finding Directions and Positions Object Classification and Description Further Reading

Blurb

Many amateur astronomers live in urban and highly developed suburban areas, and many of them believe that they can’t observe deep-sky objects from such light-polluted locations.

But it isn’t true.

Given the right techniques, urban astronomers can routinely observe deep-sky objects night after night – something most of us would never do if it involved driving miles into the country to find a dark site. Rod Mollise has observed the entire Messier list from his urban backyard, without high-tech equipment, using only commercially-made telescopes and simple accessories.

This is a guide to good deep-sky astronomy under bad skies.

There are literally hundreds of spectacular objects to be seen from the average urban site. After dealing with equipment, locations and even urban safety, Rod invites you to join him on his virtual "walking tours" of the night sky, with physical and observational descriptions, at-the-eyepiece drawings, and photographs.