Real Astronomy with Small Telescopes

This book demonstrates the use of an 80mm refractor and shows how it can be used as a real scientific instrument. Following step-by-step instructions users will find many activities and projects suitable for an 80mm refractor or 90mm reflector or Maksutov that have not been published elsewhere. Emphasis is on measurement and discovery activities rather than on casual observing. There are two objectives to these activities: to re-enact the process of discovery and to provide amateur observers with the knowledge and skill that will help them make genuine contributions to the field of astronomy. It is often said that users of small telescopes can conduct worthwhile scientific work, but 'how' is seldom explained except in the context of observations carried out by the most advanced amateur astronomers. This book provides the necessary introduction derived from the author's many years of experience in teaching the subject that will be the starting point for serious work.

Effectively demonstrates the use of an 80mm refractor for more than a "quick look" it can be used as a real scientific instrument Demonstrates the significant observations that can be made with a small telescope Provides clear step-by-step instructions for numerous scientific activities Includes chapters on digital photography of the Sun and Moon The author is an experienced small telescope user, as well as an astronomy educator Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Texte du rabat

It's often said that astronomy is one of the very few sciences in which amateurs can make a contribution to real science. Even modest telescopes such as a small 3-inch (80mm) astronomical refractor or Maksutov can provide scientifically useful data.

This is certainly true, but where to start?

Real Astronomy with Small Telescopes tells you everything you'll need to know about how to get started on "real" astronomy using a small telescope (and ideally a digital camera), and make a real contribution to our scientific knowledge. This book is the necessary introduction to real astronomy derived from the author's many years of experience in teaching the subject that can be your starting point for serious work. Here, the emphasis is on what you can do with a small telescope, rather than just on what you can see through it.

Finally, owners of big telescopes shouldn't be put off everything in this book applies equally (maybe more equally!) to larger instruments.

Résumé
Despite their limits in types of observation, 80-mm refractors and 90-mm Maksutovs have sufficient aperture and magnifying power to provide a lifetimeofobservingpleasure.Theyareidealforlunaroccultationmeasurements, tracking the solar activity cycle, observing variable stars and measuring binary ix x Preface stars.

Contenu
The Celestial Sphere.- The Measurement of Time.- The Equatorial Telescope Mount.- Telescope Considerations.- Astronomical Photography.- The Sun.- The Moon.- The Planets.- Comets and Asteroids.- Visual Binary Stars.- A Binary Star True Orbit Projector.- Visual Observations of Variable Stars.- Photography of Variable Stars.- Star Clusters and Nebulae.- A ColorMagnitude Diagram for The Pleiades.- The Design of an Objective Prism Spectrograph.- The Proper Motion of Barnard's Star.