Spherical Astronomy

Spherical Astronomy provides a comprehensive treatment of the fundamental principles of positional astronomy.

The text focuses on the principles of spherical astronomy and the theory of fundamental astronomical observations. Discussions are made on topics such as the celestial sphere and the nature of the reference systems of astronomy; the geometric aspects of the celestial sphere in relation to geographic position; systems of time measurement based on the rotation of the earth; and the inertial reference system.

Astronomers and astrophysicists will find the book highly insightful.

Contenu

Preface
The Astronomy of Position
Chapter 1 The Celestial Sphere and the Nature of the Reference Systems of Astronomy
Chapter 2 Celestial Coordinate Systems
The Local Horizon Coordinate System
The Coordinate Systems on the Rotating Celestial Sphere
Relative Coordinates
Coordinate Systems in Space
Chapter 3 The Geometric Aspects of the Celestial Sphere in Relation to Geographic Position
Geographic Coordinate Systems
Geocentric Coordinates
The Aspects of the Circles of the Sphere
Representation of the Positions of Celestial Bodies
Chapter 4 Parallax
Geocentric Parallax
Annual Parallax
Chapter 5 Astronomical Refraction
Approximate Refraction
Theories of Astronomical Refraction
Refraction Corrections to Astronomical Observations
Chapter 6 Aberration
The Aberration of Light
Stellar Aberration
Planetary Aberration
Chapter 7 The Apparent Diurnal Motions
The Rotation of the Celestial Sphere
The Apparent Diurnal Path
Chapter 8 The Dynamical Basis of the Astronomical Coordinate Systems
The Secular Motion of the Ecliptic
The Motion of the Earth Relative to Its Center of Mass
The Astronomical Vertical
Chapter 9 The Variations of the Local Reference System
The Local Horizon Coordinate System
Variations of Geographical Coordinates
Chapter 10 Determinations of Position in the Local Reference System
The Reduction of Observations in the Horizon Coordinate System
The Geographic Reference System
Chapter 11 Precession and Nutation
The General Precessional Motions
Nutation
Chapter 12 Variations of Ecliptic and Equatorial Coordinates from Precession and Nutation
Chapter 13 Ephemerides
The Variations in the Aspects of the Celestial Sphere from Precession and Nutation
The Reductions for Precession and Nutation in the Calculation and Observation of Apparent Positions
Chapter 14 The Measurement of Time
Chapter 15 Systems of Time Measurement Based on the Rotation of the Earth
Sidereal Time
Determination of Sidereal Time by Observation
Mean Solar Time
The Equation of Time
Chapter 16 Ephemeris Time
The Reduction of Mean Solar Time to a Uniform Measure of Time
Ephemeris Time
Chapter 17 The Construction of Observational Star Catalogs
Determination of Fundamental Positions by Meridian Observations
Differential Star Catalogs
Chapter 18 Fundamental Star Systems
The Construction of a Fundamental System
The Principal Fundamental Systems
Chapter 19 The Inertial Reference System
The Reference System of Observation
The Reference System of the Planetary Theory
The Determination of an Inertial System
The System of Astronomical Constants
Chapter 20 Historical Development of the Terminology of Spherical Astronomy
Index