The Invisible Universe

Book Description

The Invisible Universe is a tour of the farthest reaches of the universe with more than fifty of Malins stunning photographs and his accompanying informative text. A wonder of artistry, technical wizardry, and scientific interest, The Invisible Universe is the ultimate gift book on a fascinating subject.

Customer Reviews:

ESSENTIAL TO HAVE.......2006-09-22

After seeing these amazing, huge, gorgeous photos with stars in numbers beyond the imagination, I would think most people would find it hard to not believe (1) that there is a God and (2) there is plenty of other intelligent life out there.

Big, beautiful color astro-photos, & exemplary pop-sci text.......2005-09-13

______________________________________________
First, the photos -- they are gorgeous! Click over to Malin's Website [G00GLE] for a preview. Sky & Telescope calls Malin "the Ansel Adams of the sky," and his photos have been exhibited worldwide. Have a look; you'll see why.

Malin is a pioneer color astrophotographer, and an engaging writer --
by the time you've finished his book, you'll know that those
beautiful glowing-red nebular veils are fluorescing interstellar
hydrogen clouds. And those electric-arc-blue highlights are stellar
nurseries, shining through yellow-brown, smoggy-looking dust
clouds that might be the feedstock for more new stars, or strange new
worlds....

Malin's photos tour worldwide, so if you see an exhibit scheduled nearby -- well, the reproductions here are excellent, but the full-size, original photos are stunning.

Next to an eye-popping picture of an
"ocean of stars" that looks like beach sand poured on black velvet,
Malin quotes Plato: "And after having thus framed the universe, he
alloted to it souls equal in number to the stars, inserting each in
each."

Happy reading--
Pete Tillman

A jewel..........2001-09-29

This book, in it's bountiful size and otherworldly beauty commands attention. It was in stock at a bookstore I used to work at, and I had to look at it every week. The photos inside are so lush and gorgeous that they will make you wish you had a larger print to hang up in your apartment. This photography book captures some of the most beautiful, mysterious forces known to us. From magnificent galaxies to nebulas daunting in their size colors, only a book of this size could begin to give the true essence of what is out there. A picture is worth a universe of words.

Words don't do it Justice.......2001-08-24

Perhaps the most superb collection of astronomical and cosmological photographs I've ever seen in one collection. If you have even the faintest interest in astronomy or cosmology, do yourself a kind service and buy this book. You will never look at the stars the same way again. This book renders a perspective on the universe and our tiny place in it like no other.

As for the size, it is a little large but several of the photos demand it. The person who commented on the image quality certainly doesn't have a strong grasp of astro photography or he surely wouldn't criticize. This is a masterful work.

Not your average coffee-table book!.......2001-05-26

I think one of the reviewers has his wires a little crossed. The book quite clearly states that the photographs were all taken by David Malin using the Anglo-Australian Telescope, NOT by the Hubble Space Telescope! There are several other excellent publications covering HST photographs if that's your desire. How anyone can possibly complain about the photos being grainy and repetitive is totally beyond me(?) This is a magnificent publication by the world's foremost GROUND-BASED Astro-photographer. No more, no less. Spend 10 minutes just staring at the photo of the Trifid Nebula. It has a depth to it that no amount of digital manipulation could possibly produce or duplicate; Hubble or otherwise. It makes me feel proud that these pictures were taken less than 40 kilometres from my old hometown. I agree with one of the other reviewers concerning this and Ken Croswell's book. Buy both of 'em!

The Finest Atlas of the Heavens / Der Prachtigste Himmelsatlas / L'atlas Celeste Le Plus Admirable: Harmonia Macrocosmica (Harmonia Macrocosmica of 1660)

Average customer rating:

Simply lovely
Great Book to have!
Gorgeous!!!

The Finest Atlas of the Heavens / Der Prachtigste Himmelsatlas / L'atlas Celeste Le Plus Admirable: Harmonia Macrocosmica (Harmonia Macrocosmica of 1660)
Andreas Cellarius
Manufacturer: Taschen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3822852902

Book Description

Stargazing: History's most beautiful constellation maps in XXL-format!

This collection of celestial atlases by Dutch-German mathematician and cosmographer Andreas Cellarius (c. 1596 - 1665) brings back to life a masterpiece from the Golden Age of celestial cartography. First published in 1660 in Harmonia Macrocosmica, the complete 29 double-folio maps and dozens of unusual details reproduced here depict the world systems of Claudius Ptolemy, Nicolas Copernicus, and Tycho Brahe, the motions of the sun, the moon, and the planets, and the delineation of the constellations in various views. Cellarius's atlas, superbly embellished with richly decorated borders depicting cherubs, astronomers, and astronomical instruments, features some of the most spectacular illustration in the history of astronomy.

This reprint, made from the beautifully hand-colored and complete copy of the first edition in the Library of the Universiteit van Amsterdam, includes a copiously illustrated introduction by Robert van Gent, one of the leading Cellarius experts, summarizing the history of celestial cartography from antiquity to late 17th/early 18th century and illuminating the life and work of Andreas Cellarius. Van Gent also discusses the historical and cultural context and significance of the atlas and provides detailed descriptions of the astronomical and iconographical content of the plates, allowing modern readers to fully appreciate the masterwork of Andreas Cellarius and his publisher, Johannes Janssonius.

The book's detailed appendix includes a list of constellation figures with short descriptions of their origin and mythology, a list of star names found on the plates, a glossary of technical words, and a bibliography.

Customer Reviews:

Simply lovely.......2007-06-21

There are many of us who just can't afford the time and money to get many Cellarius pieces for the home. This is the solution in a lovely, well printed and compiled edition of the book, from start to finish. It is large (slightly larger than the original). It would be perfect on a library table or similar. If you are interested illminated manuscripts, astronomy history, mythology, early scientific understanding of the heavens... then this is of great interest to you.

Great Book to have!.......2007-01-15

A great source book, with beautiful illustrations of cosmos seeing thought the ayes of the 15 Century Artists.

Gorgeous!!!.......2006-12-15

Taschen never seems to disapoint and this latest issue in their series of oversized classic texts is no exception. The Harmonia Macrocosmia is a lavish oversized book of 17th century celstial maps that are reproduced with stunning clarity and brilliance. This volume should appeal easily to anyone with an interest in astronomy, art or fine books.

Reflecting Telescope Optics I: Basic Design Theory and its Historical Development (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library)

Average customer rating:

A superb and most complete reference about telescope optics

Reflecting Telescope Optics I: Basic Design Theory and its Historical Development (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library)
R.N. Wilson
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3540401067

Book Description

R.N. Wilson's two-volume treatise on reflecting telescope optics has become a classic in its own right. It is intended to give a complete treatment of the subject, addressing professionals in research and industry as well as students of astronomy and amateur astronomers. This first volume, Basic Design Theory and its Historical Development, is devoted to the theory of reflecting telescope optics and systematically recounts the historical progress. The author's approach is morphological, with strong emphasis on the historical development. The book is richly illustrated including spot-diagrams analysing special systems in modern form. In this second edition, the historical section has been revised. Also, various improvements to the text have been made, and new systems such as the 4-lens corrector of Delabre and the LADS corrector are now covered. The concluding Part II treats manufacture, testing, alignment, and modern techniques.

Customer Reviews:

A superb and most complete reference about telescope optics.......1998-01-01

Since the mid-19th century and the application by Foucault of chemical silvering to glass mirrors, reflecting telescopes have gradually taken over from refracting ones, to eventually become the dominant telescope concept over the entire 20th century. Reflecting Telescope Optics I (RTO I) is an unequaled reference for those who have interest in the field, be they students, telescope designers, professional or amateur astronomers. In Chapter 1 the author takes us on a short, fascinating and at times surprising, journey through the history of telescope design. A delightful story of men, ideas and fascinating machines. It stems from the account by the author that optics is one of those sciences whose progress is inescapably tied to the progress of experimentation and technology. Chapter I tells about great ideas which, sometimes, had to wait for centuries before being understood and recognized. The second and third chapters deal with Gaussian optics and aberration theory, respectively. Fundamental aspects of Gaussian optics are reviewed in a concise manner, albeit to a level of detail sufficient to make the book a valuable reference for an advanced course on geometrical optics. The same comment applies to the third chapter, which deals with aberration theory of telescopes -in the broadest sense. All relations necessary to set up a design, understand and evaluate its first order (paraxial) properties and third order aberrations are clearly demonstrated and their implications thoroughly analyzed. Section 2.2.5.2, in particular, will be invaluable to set up the basis for a two-mirror telescope design, while section 3.2.4 provides all necessary information to evaluate its aberrations. Tables and practical examples provide most useful illustrations to the theory, and serve as well for quick reference when reviewing properties of existing designs. A thorough review of one- and two-mirror design solutions is provided in sections 3.2.6 and 3.2.7, together with detailed illustrations and numerical examples. Section 3.3 provides much detailed and useful information on third order aberrations. A unique and most complete review of wide-field telescope designs, from Schmidt and Maksutov solutions to less known three- and four-mirror designs, is proposed in section 3.6; off-axis designs are addressed in section 3.7, together with a detailed analysis of the effects of decentering of 2-mirror telescopes. Even if this is certainly not its main purpose, there is little doubt that these sections will retain the attention of amateur telescope makers as well. Elaborating on a generalization of the Schwarzschild Theorem, the author demonstrates the relation between the number of optical surfaces and the achievable compensation of third order aberrations. The four-mirror designs with spherical primary and secondary mirrors derived in section 3.6.5.3 pave the way for giant telescopes beyond the 10-m range. Despace effects are reviewed in much detail (section 3.8), unfortunately in the restricted case of two-mirror designs only. As such effects can be of utmost importance with regards to preservation of optical quality and may come to play a role in a trade-off between otherwise equivalent designs, it seems to me that a broader -and, in view of its tremendous complexity, simplified- account would have usefully complemented the review of three- and four mirror designs of section 3.6. A brief but quite complete account of diffraction theory and its relation to aberrations is provided in section 3.10. This section is essential to the completeness of RTO I; it provides the key to understanding image formation and properties, and appeals to the broadest range of readers. Chapter 4 covers field correctors and focal extenders/reducers in great detail, and provides a brief account of atmospheric dispersion correctors, thereby adding to the completeness of RTO I. Finally, theory meets reality in chapter 5, which provides a delectable and most instructive account of major telescope projects -and ideas related to them- from the early 19th century until the mid-1980's. It should be pointed out that, although RTO I deals with telescope optics in a largely theoretical manner, realistic constraints and limitations are given due regard, a consequence of the author's impressive experience in telescope design and fabrication. This review would be incomplete if no acknowledgment were made to the rigorous and consistent formalism of the author, as well as to the useful indices, list of symbols, tables and figures, the most complete bibliography, and the unique portrait gallery of major figures in the field. Indeed, a unique reference in a superb presentation.

Compton Gamma Ray (Aip Conference Proceedings)

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Compton Gamma Ray (Aip Conference Proceedings)
Neil Gehrels
Manufacturer: AIP Press
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Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1563961040

Average customer rating:

Very good reference book for any astrophotographer
Great Introductory book
My best book on astrophotography
I hesitated to pick up a copy of this book...
Advanced Math Major Needed

Astrophotography for the Amateur
Michael A. Covington
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
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The New CCD Astronomy: How to Capture the Stars With a CCD Camera in Your Own Backyard

ASIN: 0521641330

Book Description

With this extraordinary handbook, you, too, can frame the stars and have them hanging on your livingroom walls. Astrophotography for the Amateur provides a complete guide to taking pictures of stars, galaxies, the Moon, the Sun, comets, meteors and eclipses, using equipment and materials readily available to the hobbyist. Based on suggestions from readers of the first edition, the new edition has been completely updated and expanded to include new chapters on computer image processing and CCD imaging; expanded advice on choosing cameras and telescopes; completely updated information about films; a much larger bibliography; and hundreds of new photographs (in color and black and white) demonstrating the latest equipment and techniques. Astrophotography for the Amateur has become the standard handbook for all amateur astronomers. This new edition provides an ideal introduction for beginners and a complete handbook for advanced amateurs. It will also appeal to photography enthusiasts who will discover how to take spectacular images with only modest equipment. Michael A. Covington received his Ph.D. at Yale University. He is the author of several books, including Syntactic Theory in the High Middle Ages (Cambridge, 1984). He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and is the Associate Director of the Artificial Intelligence Center at the University of Georgia.

Customer Reviews:

Very good reference book for any astrophotographer.......2002-07-25

Micheal Covington's book covers all aspects of astrophotography starting from objects, from camera selection to films, exposure methods, mounts and drives, guiding of the mount & guiding accuracy/errors, and of course the CCD imaging. I also gives ideas on how to build a simple barn door mount. It does not end at taking exposures. After an exposure is taken we have to convert it into an acceptable quality print or into a computer file. Images can be greatly improved by digital processing. So it also covers image processing ideas. The only point to be noted is that one must look at his website and download the errata. The book has many printing errors, some of which are trivial though. That, of course, must not deter any user. I consider is my best field guide book on this topic. I believe his recent edition has got over these errors - not mine. I bought mine in 1999.

Great Introductory book.......2002-03-05

This book is a must in doing amateur astrophotography if you are going serious. It has lots of information which is very useful.For example it teach you to calculate the focal ratio using diferent techniques of takig pictures with the telescope, it help you calculate the exposure times in order to photograph the moon or a constelation on a tripod.
It is an excellent source but you have to do calculations(formulas).If you don't like numbers, this book is not for you, but if you do like numbers this book is very useful.

My best book on astrophotography.......2001-12-18

I've bought a handful of books on the subject, and this one is head and shoulders above the rest. Some of the other books have lots of pretty pictures, and very little information on actually taking photos. I found the instructions easy to follow, and when I had a question, or needed to figure something out, this book always had it. Two big thumbs up!

I hesitated to pick up a copy of this book..........2001-08-26

I've been trying my hand off and on for the last year at astrophotography with my Meade LX-200. In that time I've scoured the internet, devoured newsgroup, and emailed enough astrophotographers that you'd think I was trying to get elected to NASA or something. In all that time, one name and reference guide kept coming up as a "must have". Astrophotography for the Amateur by Michael A. Covington.

Everywhere I turned, everyone I asked, their answers always seemed to come down to "...because Michael Covington does it this way" or "Yeah I tried doing it that way but after reading Astrophotography I tried it this way and received better results". That attitude actually "put me off" this book. Here I wanted to learn how to do astrophotography, not follow some recipe in a book. After finally browsing through a friends copy I was immediately impressed with the book as a reference guide, and when comparing it to my own notes and conclusions found several area's where I had erred, resulting in poor photo's. Of course, the flip side is true as well.

Some of the info in this book (even though it is a second edition) is dated such as film types and recommendations. I've found his exposure calculations for Lunar photography to be way over exposed.

I have to make a correction here, originaly I (and others) noted the lack of CCD imaging information in the book and I need to note that the first addition makes no mention of CCD, while the second edition has a section detailing the diffrences between CCD and film work. It also has a brief section devoted to CCD work. Its not as indepth as his discussions on film work.

Advanced Math Major Needed.......2001-06-05

Unless you're extremely fluent in advanced mathematics, calculus, etc., this book is not for the faint of heart. For those of us who never got past shop math - forget it. The formulas and calculations are enough to knock you out or at least put you to sleep. I'll give it a re-read again, but first drive through, just blew me away - sorry, math was never my strong point! Overall - 2's the best this rates for non-mathemeticians.

Beyond: Visions Of The Interplanetary Probes

Average customer rating:

good pics
Beautiful Book
Breathtaking photos of our Solar System
Look At the Stars & What Do You See?
Gorgeous!!! Nothing Comparable.

Beyond: Visions Of The Interplanetary Probes
Michael Benson
Manufacturer: Harry N. Abrams
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Magnificent Universe
Hubble: The Mirror on the Universe
Full Moon
Saturn: A New View
Orbit: NASA Astronauts Photograph the Earth

ASIN: 0810945312

Book Description

"These images are a spectacular reaffirmation that we are privileged to live in the greatest age of exploration the world has ever known."-From Arthur C. Clarke's foreword

Since the 1960s the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has been sending unmanned satellites to explore the planets, moons, and sun. These probes have amassed a stunning visual record of other worlds, revealing not one but scores of new frontiers, from rust-red Mars to the ethereal rings of Saturn.

Author Michael Benson has spent years compiling and digitally processing the best of these images. In Beyond this "deskbound cosmic pilgrim" (Atlantic Monthly) has pulled together the most spectacular of them into one volume that presents these photographs for the first time as art. The resulting book consists of two parts: the first is a spectacular visual tour of the solar system, with views every bit as compelling as the work of the great landscape photographers on earth; the second is a series of beautifully written essays that explain the story behind these photographs: the history of the probes' journeys, how they work, and why they were built. This book shows us how modern science has revealed the astonishing beauty and mystery of the solar system and its awe-inspiring worlds far beyond any places human beings have ever directly observed.

Customer Reviews:

good pics.......2007-10-02

this has a lot of good pictures in it. It is well worth the purchase if you are looking for a reasonable compilation of planetary images. The one problem is that is does not have any of the Cassini-Huygens images of Saturn. This is extremely unfortunate because the book would have benefited greatly by these images. Other than then that it is mostly pictures without a lot of explanation. So if you have a decent knowledge of the planets or you are in the mood to do some internet research on the things that you see, it is a great book.

Beautiful Book.......2007-05-09

beautiful coffee table book. not the sort of thing you sit and read, but great to have out when guests come over. fantastic images.

Breathtaking photos of our Solar System.......2007-01-05

I am floored every time I open this book of pictures of our Solar System. The images are so amazing and clear. I sometimes wonder that these are actually our neighboring planets.

The main planets themselves are mind-blowing in and of themselves. Io is perhaps the single most jaw dropping moon - a planet in its own right - and evokes so much imagination. Gallisto is also a fascinating moon with its craters coming to life.

Only two regrets with this book. First, the pictures of the moon were not satisfying at all. They didn't portray the moon in any way that is as beautiful as the rest of the solar system. Instead the pictures focus on close up pictures of its surface, which is interesting as well, yet I would have still liked to see whole far off pictures of the moon. And lastly, one of Saturn's moons is mentioned in passing - Titan - as perhaps the most interesting and fascinating of the solar system, and yet it isn't included. Why? Because they didn't want to detract from Saturn and its rings! Including Titan, if it is as fascinating as they are saying, would only add more to Saturn.

Both are trivial and it doesn't in any way change my view of this fantastic collection of pictures of our Solar System. This is a must for all households. A definite recommend.

5 stars.

Look At the Stars & What Do You See?.......2005-10-28

Have you looked up into the night sky or early morning to see the plethora of stars in their stark beauty. On a clear day, it is a spectacular sight, as on this morning's. Mars is getting closer to the Earth, but that is not the sight you will get if you go out and observe the solar system in all its glory.

Near the outer reaches, the second largest planet hovers like a shimmering star with its rings; Saturn is 250,000 miles wide and formed of minute to boulder-size particles held in the gravitational grip of a rapidly spinning central sphere. Jupiter, the largest, has two moons as discovred by the Galileo probe in its fourteen year mission.

Galileo Galilei made telescopic discoveries of the universe; Johannes Kepler used meticulous mathematical charting of the planets; and NASA's 'Spunik' and 'Ranger' spaceflights of the past four decades shows the beauty of the spheres as they appear "suspended in space like weightless jewels." Venus is out nearest and Mars the other next-door neighbor. The 'Mariner 9' probe showed the vastness of the "grandest canyon in the entire solar system and as wide as the continental United States." Venus is the brightest planet we can see from Earth.

Mercury speed around the Sun every 88 days faster than any other planet. It is forty percent larger and far denser than our Moon. It has an overall magnetic field and an iron core, like Earth. Jupiter and Neptune have also been closely obsrved by NASA's 'Voyager 2.' Jupiter is the largest planet with fourteen moons; no, make that sixty-one, according to the 'Voyager 1' probe.

Once upon a time, some years ago, I gave a tour of the Solar System to a literary group. Being a new member, I had stuck with travel books until I got a firm footing and learned what the others were reviewing. So, I began, "Today I will take you on a tour, but not like one you've ever been on before -- we will soar out into the sky and view the Universe as man knows it today." Much has been discovered since then, as the photographs Michael Benson uses in this book show in detail. He confesses that he retrieved most from NASA's Planetary Photojournal web site. They are "out-of-this-world" in every aspect.

Gorgeous!!! Nothing Comparable........2005-07-11

This book is really a space buff's wet dream. I mean, there is not a single book on the market, anywhere, that has such gorgeous, exquisite and detailed pictures of the planets and moons of our solar system as this book has (made by Voyager, Galileo, Maggelan and the like). You just won't believe your eyes. And the essays of Benson (and those of Arthur C. Clarke and Lawrence Weschler) are also splendid, one by one. Convince yourself and surf to the website of Kinetikon Pictures to behold some of the photographs offered in this book and to read some of the essays (and even more). Robotic planetary photography made into (abstract expressionist and impressioinst) art, that is what Beyond is all about. Buy this hefty beast of a book before it is sold out.

Average customer rating:

Incredibly helpful
Excellent book
The amateur Astronomer's BIBLE!!!!!!!
Good book for amateur astronomers
Probably The Best Single Reference For Stargazers

The Backyard Astronomer's Guide
Terence Dickinson , and Alan Dyer
Manufacturer: Firefly Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 155209507X

Book Description

What type of telescope is best for beginners? Can I use my camera to take photographs through a telescope? How good are the new computerized telescope mounts? What charts, books, software and other references do I need? These questions are asked time and again by enthusiastic new amateurs as they take up recreational astronomy.

But accurate, objective and up-to-date information can be hard to find. Throughout the 1990s, the first edition of The Backyard Astronomer's Guide established itself as the indispensable reference to the equipment and techniques used by the modern recreational stargazer. Now, authors Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer have produced an expanded and completely updated edition that again sets the standard for accessible and reliable information on one of the world's most popular hobbies.

Dickinson and Dyer -- both full-time astronomy writers -- bring decades of experience to their task. They explain why telescopes often perform much differently from what the novice expects. They recommend the accessories that will enhance the observing experience and advise what not to buy until you become more familiar with your equipment. They name brands and sources and compare value so that you can be armed with the latest practical information when deciding on your next purchase. Sections on astrophotography, daytime and twilight observing, binocular observing and planetary and deep-sky observing round out this comprehensive guide to personal exploration of the universe. Dickinson and Dyer's elegant yet straightforward approach to a complex subject makes this book an invaluable resource for astronomers throughout North America.

With more than 500 color photographs and illustrations, The Backyard Astronomer's Guide is also one of the most beautiful -- and user-friendly -- astronomy books ever produced.

Customer Reviews:

Incredibly helpful.......2007-09-21

I can't overstate how useful this book is. It covers naked-eye stargazing, binoculars, the history of amateur astronomy, telescope designs, eyepieces, accessories, setting up your new scope, the sun, moon, planets, stars, deep-sky objects, astrophotography, and just about anything else an amateur astronomer might want to know about. The reviews of telescope and eyepiece brands and models are particularly useful. I love browsing through telescope catalogs, but I also want expert advice on what brands and models are worth seeking out and which to avoid. This book delivers. The full color photographs throughout are a nice touch. The heavy paper and solid binding ensure that the book will last forever, which is good, because you'll be using it a lot.

I wish _every_ hobby had an intro book this useful.

Excellent book.......2007-07-15

If you are considering buying only one book on amateur astronomy this should be it. It covers the basics of observing, available equipment with recommendations, and much more while presenting it in an easy to read and understandable format. Dickinson and Dyer should be commended for putting together this book which must have been a monumental effort. It is truly one of the premier books ever written on this topic. It definately belongs in the hands of every backyard astronomer.

The amateur Astronomer's BIBLE!!!!!!!.......2007-05-24

Search no longer, everything you need to know is right here in this book.

1. Different types of scopes
2. Must have accessories.
3. Waste of time accessories
4. Recommended scopes.
5. ect, ect, ect.

It's the book that keeps on giving! Yes I also own Dickinson's "Nightwatch" and like another reviewer said, there's some repetition , which made me skeptical about buying this book, but if you already have "Nightwatch", this book goes into waaaaaaaay more depth. this is definately a must have for people who haven't purchased a scope yet and are trying to make a decision. I know how hard that decision is when you know very little about telscopes and accessories and every review you see is praising every telescope you look at. Where do you start? You start here.

Good book for amateur astronomers.......2007-05-06

I highly recommend this book to the serious amateur astronomer wanting to get the most from the night sky.

Probably The Best Single Reference For Stargazers.......2007-04-23

In one volume, Dickinson and Dyer have managed to cover about 95% of what amateur astronomers want to know to get a solid start in this fascinating hobby. From naked-eye observing to binocular astronomy, through sophisticated telescopes and astrophotography, this book provides solid info in an easy-reading, photo-filled format that will be a good companion on those cloudy nights when you're restricted to armchair astronomy. Especially helpful to me were the extensive tips on how to comfortably observe using lawnchairs and tripod-mounted binoculars. Your neck will thank you, too.

Enthisiastically recommended.

Average customer rating:

Not one of the better Textbooks I've read
Good book that allows one to understand optical aberrations.
Good
Good for Spectrometer Optics

Astronomical Optics, Second Edition
Daniel J. Schroeder
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

Reflecting Telescope Optics I: Basic Design Theory and its Historical Development (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library)
Reflecting Telescope Optics II: Manufacture, Testing, Alignment, Modern Techniques (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library)
Astronomical Observations: An Optical Perspective
Handbook of CCD Astronomy, 2nd Edition (Cambridge Observing Handbooks for Research Astronomers)
The Design and Construction of Large Optical Telescopes

ASIN: 0126298106

Book Description

This book provides a unified treatment of the characteristics of telescopes of all types, both those whose performance is set by geometrical aberrations and the effect of the atmosphere, and those diffraction-limited telescopes designed for observations from above the atmosphere. The emphasis throughout is on basic principles, such as Fermat's principle, and their application to optical systems specifically designed to image distant celestial sources.
The book also contains thorough discussions of the principles underlying all spectroscopic instrumentation, with special emphasis on grating instruments used with telescopes. An introduction to adaptive optics provides the needed background for further inquiry into this rapidly developing area.

* Geometrical aberration theory based on Fermat's principle
* Diffraction theory and transfer function approach to near-perfect telescopes
* Thorough discussion of 2-mirror telescopes, including misalignments
* Basic principles of spectrometry; grating and echelle instruments
* Schmidt and other catadioptric telescopes
* Principles of adaptive optics
* Over 220 figures and nearly 90 summary tables

Customer Reviews:

Not one of the better Textbooks I've read.......2007-05-13

I'm afraid I can't give this book a very good review. The title should be "Mathematical Analyst of Telescope Aberrations." Even then, unless you are in the process of designing either a Cassegrain Telescope or a Schmidt Camera, the book does little except tell you what papers to consult. For my current project of building a lens based camera for my university's telescope, I found maybe 30 pages out of the entire book which were relevent. And John David Jackson's "Classical Electrodynamics did a better job of explaining most of those topics.

Good book that allows one to understand optical aberrations........2006-03-22

Good, comprehensive book that explains both basics and advanced aspects of optics used in telescopes. Most of the book focuses on optical aberrations and shows how to construct various telescopes and other optical devices like spectrographs with minimized coma, astigmatizm or spherical aberration. The book has chapters about spectrographs, CCDs and active optics which may be helpful to anyone who considers to add such elements to his/her telescope.

Good.......2005-09-13

Talk a lot about instrument. I think it's very helpful for those who want to know how telescope work. But little about data processing.

Good for Spectrometer Optics.......2000-08-12

This book has some unique features. It treats the subject matter carefully, and in detail. The content is very useful. The treatment of spectrometer optics is particularly useful. The weakness of the book is that the diagrams are not well done, and the notation can be confusing. Overall, a useful book.

An Introduction to the Mathematics and Methods of Astrodynamics, Revised Edition (Aiaa Education Series)

Average customer rating:

From a Student of Astrodynamics

An Introduction to the Mathematics and Methods of Astrodynamics, Revised Edition (Aiaa Education Series)
Richard H. Battin
Manufacturer: AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics & Ast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

Fundamentals of Astrodynamics
Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics (Dover Books on Engineering)
Space Vehicle Dynamics and Control (Aiaa Education Series)
Orbital Mechanics (AIAA Education Series) (Aiaa Education Series)
Fundamentals of Celestial Mechanics

ASIN: 1563473429

Book Description

With more than 4800 copies of the previous edition in use, this best-selling, comprehensive text documents the fundamental theoretical developments in astrodynamics and space navigation that led to Man's ventures into space. It includes the essential elements of celestial mechanics, spacecraft trajectories, and space navigation, as well as the history of the underlying mathematical developments.

The material presented in the text represents a 25-year evolution in course material developed by Dr. Battin. Former students who benefited from this material include three of the astronauts who walked on the moon.

The text format offers flexibility for the user. Chapters are largely independent of each other and may be read or taught in any order, offering the opportunity to organize an undergraduate or graduate course that meets the needs of students having various levels of background and preparation. Further, the book covers more subject matter than is covered in a single course of instruction, thereby motivating students to stray from the beaten path of the classroom.

Customer Reviews:

From a Student of Astrodynamics.......2003-07-05

The following comments refer to 1987 edition. Some of these comments were communicated to Professor Battin, who, very kindly, acknowledged them.

The book by Richard H. Battin, Adjunct Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, covers essential mathematical background needed to work with astrodynamical problems. Topics covered include hypergeometric functions, elliptic integrals, continued fractions, coördinate transformations as well as essentials of two-body-central-force motion.

The author's way of discussing these topics with historical introduction and personal narrative makes the book interesting to read. There are minimal typographical errors, probably, because the book was, personally, typeset by the author. However, there are a few omissions and oversights. For example, on page 172 captions are given for Fig. 4.15 and Fig. 4.16, whereas the actual figures are missing (The author has rectified this omission in the 1999 edition). In addition:

a) On page 7, it is stated:

(DELTA)r[VECTOR] = v[VECTOR](SUB)g x s(SUB)g/v(SUB)g

where

s(SUB)g = (INTEGRAL)v[VECTOR](SUB)g dt

In this equation, a scalar on the left-hand side is equated to a vector on the right-hand side. The equation should be modified as:

s(SUB)g = MOD[(INTEGRAL)v[VECTOR](SUB)g dt]

b) On pages 10-11 it is stated: "If you want to drive a vector to zero, it is sufficient to align the time rate of change of the vector with the vector itself." This is not true, in general, but only if time rate of change is negative.

c) On page 13 the author tries to show that constant in the equation:

[(DEL) x v(SUB)c]/(RHO) = constant

vanishes by the following argument. "The demonstration concludes with an argument that the fluid is converging on the target point r(SUB)T so that the density in the vicinity r(SUB)T of is becoming infinite. Hence, the constant is zero." There are 2 problems in this line of argument: (i) The statement, "Hence, the constant is zero" is true, only if the numerator is finite. B = infinity, implies A/B = 0, only if A is not equal to infinity. Otherwise, one has to apply l'Hospital rule; (ii) even if the constant is supposed to be zero, this does not imply that the curl is everywhere zero. A/B = 0, where B = infinity does not imply that A = 0. In fact, a could have any finite value.

d) On page 109 equation of motion in a frame of reference moving with acceleration -a(SUB)1 is written as:

m(SUB)2[a(SUB)2 - a(SUB)1] = ...

Since the frame is noninertial (accelerated) Newton's second law, F = ma, is not applicable in his frame.

e) On page 223 it is stated: "When we compare Eqns. (5.57) and (5.58), it is clear that we must have

sinE = SQRT[6(E - sinE)/sinE]."

This is not the only choice for sinE, which reduces (5.58) to (5.57) in the limit E tends to 0. The word "must" is inappropriately used here.

I would recommend this book very strongly to anyone seriosly interested in learning astrodynamics.

Average customer rating:

Very thourough treatment

Electromagnetic Scintillation
Albert D. Wheelon
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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$Principles of Optics: Electromagnetic Theory of Propagation, Interference and Diffraction of Light (7th Edition)$ Principles of Optics: Electromagnetic Theory of Propagation, Interference and Diffraction of Light (7th Edition)

ASIN: 0521801990

Book Description

Electromagnetic scintillation describes the phase and amplitude fluctuations imposed on signals that travel through the atmosphere. Providing a modern reference and comprehensive tutorial for this subject, two volumes cover optical and microwave propagation, integrating measurements and predictions at each step of development. The first volume (published September 2001) dealt with phase and angle-of-arrival measurement errors, which are accurately described by geometrical optics. This second volume concentrates on amplitude and intensity fluctuations of the received signal. Also available...Volume I 0-521-80198-2 Hardback $110.00 C

Download Description

Electromagnetic scintillation describes the phase and amplitude fluctuations imposed on signals that travel through the atmosphere. The volumes that make up Electromagnetic Scintillation will provide a modern reference and comprehensive tutorial, treating both optical and microwave propagation and integrating measurements and predictions at each step of the development. This first volume deals with phase and angle-of-arrival measurement errors, accurately described by geometrical optics. It will be followed by a further volume examining weak scattering. In this book, measured properties of tropospheric and ionospheric irregularities are reviewed first. Electromagnetic fluctuations induced by these irregularities are then estimated for a wide range of applications. The book will be of interest to those working in the resolution of astronomical interferometers and large single-aperture telescopes, as well as synthetic aperture radars and laser pointing/tracking systems. It is also direcly relevant to those working in laser metrology, GPS location accuracy, and terrestrial and satellite communications.

Customer Reviews:

Very thourough treatment.......2003-02-20

Very thourough treatment of phase scintillation and angle-of-arrival fluctuations. I am really looking forward to the second volume.

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