Book Description
Most amateur astronomers yearn to observe more frequently. Many of them, however, live in urban and highly developed suburban areas that are heavily light polluted. Due to this light pollution, they are under the impression that deep sky objects—nebulae, galaxies, star clusters—are either invisible or not worth viewing from home. This book describes the many objects that can be seen in a bright urban sky, and shows the city or suburban astronomer how to observe object after object, season after season.
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 50% of the book is devoted to describing "tours" of the sky, with physical and observational descriptions, at-the-eyepiece drawings, and photographs.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book for City Dwelling Amatuer Astronomers!.......2007-02-16
Living in the South Florida Peninsula, you get used to light pollution. In 2005, I purchased my first "real" telescope and soon learned how badly light polluted South Florida really is. Although a trip to a dark sky site is only 60 miles away, I live in the suburbs outside of Miami and wanted to take advantage of my decent sized back yard. My sky's limiting magnitude is around 4, the sky towards the north is a grayish white haze where only Polaris is visible and the big dipper if high enough in the sky. The rest of the sky is a little better but after 2 years of limited success in searching for DSOs, I decided to look for help.
The Urban Astronomer's Guide may be the help I require. The book is well written and easy to follow. This book was written where beginners as well as intermediate amateur astronomers would find it interesting.
Part I of the book entitled: Telescopes and Techniques covers everything from the why one would want to observe from the city to the writers experience with types of telescopes and needed techniques to beat the light pollution blues. Mr. Mollise explains the advantages in large and short focal length telescopes and which objects benefit from either type. The author discusses in great detail the differences between the different types of Light-Pollution Reduction Filters, eyepieces, finders, computer software, print atlases, etc.
The book discuses techniques which experienced amateurs may be familiar with but beginners and intermediates may have heard have but not understand completely. Things like the use of averted vision, "jiggling" the telescope to tease out details in faint objects. Dark Adaptation is discussed and it's importance, all invaluable lessons that every amateur astronomer should learn.
Part II of the book entitled: A Walking Tour of the Cosmos is what makes this book a keeper. This section of the book goes over examples of objects that are perfect for city observation. The four chapters as you might imagine are broken up by season, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Each season gives 4 lists of objects that the Author feels are viewable for the given season and time. An example of such a tour is Spring's Tour 1. Objects included in this tour are M94, M51, M106, M63, M81, M82, M101, M97, M3 and the Double Star Cor Caroli.
Each object is discussed in detail with the author's notes from his personal journal. Mr. Mollise discusses the use of filters that can enhance a particular object, magnification that should be used to view certain objects, and what you should expect to see at the eyepiece. The author also includes his personal illustrations of objects he's included in his journals, which gives you a good idea of what you should be able to see in the eyepiece. The illustrations are very good and to me are much more useful than the Hubble type images commonly seen in astronomy books.
The only thing I found a little odd about this book would be the inclusion of such difficult to see objects as M1 and M51. The author even writes: "Sadly, I have to admit that in the city it (M51) is something of a dud." He also writes: "you have to be satisfied just to say you've seen it (M1)." These are just two of several objects the author himself confesses are extremely challenging, if not impossible to view from a light-polluted location. Why not focus on objects that are less challenging? Maybe have one object at the end of each tour that might be a challenge.
This is not to say the book does not reward the reader with some surprisingly easy to see objects. I was recently treated to a "hidden treasure" in the open cluster M46. As it turns out there is a small planetary nebulae (NGC2438) within this semi-impressive cluster that makes M46 a showpiece object in my opinion. If not for this book, I may not have spent much more than 10 minutes viewing M46. I now find myself going back to it time after time just as I do with M42 and M45.
Overall the book is a good read. This book in written for beginner's with some experience and can be useful to intermediate amateurs who might not be getting the most from their telescopes due to light pollution issues within the Urban setting. Part II in particular I've found invaluable and it will definitely keep me coming back for more.
Indispenisble definitive guide for citybound deep-sky enthusiasts!.......2006-09-02
This is a work that has been long overdue. A book on urban astronomy that focuses soley on deep-sky objects, and practical recommendations for how to view them, equipment and techniques. A most comprehensive list, more than any other book of its kind. But by no means the only things that can be seen, there are more than in this book (as I have discovered). But by showing what you can see, you can try for more.
Another quality book from Rod.......2006-07-05
Rod writes with an authority about many subjects at hand, but his style is very approachable and appreciated by us amateurs. His subject matter is applicable to my Miami (Florida) skies and I am proud to display this book among the many astronomy books that I own.
Adam Stuart
Miami, Florida
Outstanding Repeat read value.......2006-07-04
This is an excellent book for anyone who lives in light polluted skies (OK, this includes EVERYONE EAST of the Mississippi river, and a good part of the rest of the civilized world).
Rod's approach and writing style, make this a good book for amateur astronomer's of all levels.
The first half of the book is filled with tips, and ideas, and how-to's that are worth the price of the book alone, all designed to help everyone get the most out of their skies no matter how much light pollution they have. Nothing will make the light pollution go away, so Rod's book is the perfect inspiration for those of us who feel like giving up when we look up and see so few stars from our urban or suburban locations.
The second half holds the key to making this an outstanding book for generations to come, because Rod goes into detail with personal observation's and descriptions about a large number of objects that those of us with "darkness-challenged" skies will still be able to enjoy. All of this gives Rod's book a very high repeat read value, since Rod covers objects for all seasons, and his Southern wit, charm, and humor combine to make this a 5 stars book.
Average customer rating:
- A fascinating account of early astronomical records
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Observations and Predictions of Eclipse Times by Early Astronomers (Archimedes)
J.M. Steele
Manufacturer: Springer
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ASIN: 0792362985 |
Book Description
Eclipses have long been seen as important celestial phenomena, whether as omens affecting the future of kingdoms, or as useful astronomical events to help in deriving essential parameters for theories of the motion of the moon and sun. This is the first book to collect together all presently known records of timed eclipse observations and predictions from antiquity to the time of the invention of the telescope. In addition to cataloguing and assessing the accuracy of the various records, which come from regions as diverse as Ancient Mesopotamia, China, and Europe, the sources in which they are found are described in detail. Related questions such as what type of clocks were used to time the observations, how the eclipse predictions were made, and how these prediction schemes were derived from the available observations are also considered. The results of this investigation have important consequences for how we understand the relationship between observation and theory in early science and the role of astronomy in early cultures, and will be of interest to historians of science, astronomers, and ancient and medieval historians.
Customer Reviews:
A fascinating account of early astronomical records.......2000-08-05
A fascinating and readable account of astronomy in the ancient and mediaeval world. This book contains an detailed description of eclipse records and their place in early societies. Highly recommended.
Average customer rating:
- Software and Data for _PC_ Astronomers
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Software and Data for Practical Astronomers: The Best of the Internet (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series)
David Ratledge
Manufacturer: Springer
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1852330554 |
Book Description
BLECK:
JOURNAL OF THE BRITISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION "Anyone who wants to know where on the internet to find astronomical information and programs will find this book useful...The book is well organized and easy to read...This book is a must for any club library and it is nice to see something dedicated to astronomy on the Internet. It's worth buying just for all the software and reference documents on the CD-ROM."
SKY & TELESCOPE "SOFTWARE & DATA serves as an excellent jumping-off point for would-be practical astronomers."
Customer Reviews:
Software and Data for _PC_ Astronomers.......2001-05-29
I would have enjoyed this book better if the author would have touched on platforms beyond the DOS-Windows PC. There are enough files on the disc that are readable on other platorms: images, text, html, and PDFs, but no programs for anything beyond the DOS-Windows PC. Many astronomers use UNIX, LINUX, Macintosh, and other operating systems. These astronomers need to communicate their findings with each other. The overview of the various web sites is the strength of this book. It gives one a good starting point for finding astronomical information on the internet.
Book Description
This clear easy-to-understand book helps "new" amateur astronomers by answering the most frequently asked questions. The idea is to quickly take the reader to a level of expertise significantly higher than that provided by general books. Each chapter is on a different subject, from what to buy through to how to use it and what to look at. The tips and techniques are applicable to all telescope users.
Customer Reviews:
Highly concentrated facts.......2002-03-30
Fantastic!! Just the book that I've been looking for - it has an enormous amount of information concentrated into relatively few pages. The format, similar to an internet FAQ, makes it easy to navigate. Whilst nothing is covered in great depth, the book serves its purpose of giving enough information to get a new astronomer up and running. I refer to this book a lot and expect to keep doing so.
Book Description
An abundantly illustrated guide to the year's best stargazing season.
"Summer brings with it fine stargazing weather; it also happens to be the time of the year when our galaxy, the Milky Way, arches high across the sky."
-- Terence Dickinson
The cool, clear nights from May to October offer astronomers the best opportunities for stargazing. Few sights in nature can compare with the splendor of a dazzling star-filled sky.
Summer Stargazing captures the grandeur of the universe with down-to-earth simplicity. All that is needed is a reasonably dark night sky, a pair of binoculars or a simple telescope, and this book.
The book features everything else the amateur astronomer needs, including easy-to-use color star charts that cover the entire North American sky for one year and photographic-quality charts for this main stargazing season.
With
Summer Stargazing, astronomers can delve into the majesty of the starry night to explore:
- Planets of the Solar System
- Galaxies
- Remote star-forming nebulas
- Glittering star dusters and more.
Helpful advice is given for safely viewing special phenomena such as eclipses and auroras.
Summer Stargazing is both a stargazing guide and a pictorial celebration of the summer night sky.
Customer Reviews:
For the right audience, a must have -- read on..........2002-12-13
If you are ages 10-15, or an adult who wants to get "up to speed" on astronomy-speak in under a 5 hour read -- this is the book to own! This chronology of major astrological events to look for in the sky which comes at the end of the book is outdated by a few years due to the publish date, but the sky charts (actually full page photos) -- specifically and only for summer months in the U.S. -- were actually usable! Also useful was the section on purchasing a telescope for a novice or even decent binoculars (a $50 investment to start was recommended, imagine that!). Also, a handy refernce for dates of meteor showers is a great thing for kids in large groups. And for a freeze-baby who lives in a northern climate who only takes the time to stargaze on warm, summer, cloudless nights, this is the only book I need.
You'll pull this book out time and time again........2000-11-15
My third year of owning this great night time aid has only increased my appreciation of what lies above. This book has great reference guides for planetary location, eclipse tables, lunar maps, and enough material for the person observing with binicoulars (which I started out with), to someone with an intermediate telescope (I moved up to a 6" reflector because I wanted to see more of what is presented). The lay-out of the book is very straight forward, and any one may pick it up and begin to locate everything pictured. Owners of small refracter telescopes will find renewed interest in what they will be able to view with the help of this book. A must have companion if you starting out, an old friend as time goes by.
Nice Pictures but too little material........1999-01-11
This book is a handy book with nice pictures for starters . There should be more materials than these as the pages are filled with more pictures than words and too little explainations. There are too little detail or advice or tips said about stargazing as the main subject. Conslusion: Good, but should contain about 50% more materials and advices/details.
Amateur friendly with photos and common sense.......1998-06-29
There will be a glut of astronomy books as we approach the millenium. If you want a classic, timeless dose of education and common sense this is the book for you. The best summer nights since Grease.
An excellent Guide for kids and adults........1998-04-24
This is an excellent guide to the night sky. It is great for kids and adults alike. I especially like the use of actual photos of the sky with and without diagrams of the constellations (not just charts or drawings.) This makes it much easier to find them in the sky.
Book Description
Astrophysics is a subject that is often - with some justification - regarded as extremely difficult, requiring at least degree-level mathematics as a prerequisite to its understanding. Consequently, many amateur astronomers just don't bother, and miss out on the fascinating fundamentals of the subject, and often on an understanding of exactly what they are observing.
Mike Inglis' quantitative approach to astrophysics cuts through all the incomprehensible mathematics, and explains all aspects of astrophysics in simple terms.
A unique feature of this book is the way that example objects for practical observation are given at every stage, so that practical astronomers can go and look at the objected or objects under discussion, using only commercial amateur equipment.
Book Description
Presenting the most relevant statistical and probabilistic technology in observational astronomy, this practical handbook covers classical parametric and non-parametric methods. There is also, however, a strong emphasis on Bayesian solutions and the importance of probability in experimental inference. The book contains many solved examples, and includes over fifty problems, with solutions available on the web via http://books.cambridge.org/0521454166.htm.
Customer Reviews:
Truly practical for astronomers.......2005-03-24
I'm a professional astronomer (remaining anonymous out of shame for my lack of statistical knowledge). I have found this book immensely useful in my data analysis and very straightforward. It is geared toward astronomical research, so is likely not as useful or illuminating for those unfamiliar with our data analysis. The explanations are straightforward and written in a pleasant tone (e.g., the reassuring "That's it." concluding the algorithm for bootstrapping).
If you are involved in professional astronomical research, this is truly practical statistics for you. If you are just casually interested in astronomy or are in another discipline and just want to learn statistics, I'd suggest passing this book by.
Not happening.......2004-03-12
This book appears to be written for people who already completely understand statistics, in which case they probably don't need this book. I'm someone with a undergrad-level understanding of statistics and astronomy and this book does little to further my understanding of either. I wish the authors had taken more care in explaining the subject matter and notation. I didn't expect this to be an introductory statistics book, but IMHO the word "practical" should not be in the title. Unless you have an advanced understanding of statistics, this book is not helpful.
Book Description
Designed for amateur astronomers living in or near large urban centers. It offers a comprehensive and thorough discussion of astronomical observing, including the observation of our nearest neighbors in the heavens as well as those farther away--some constant and some only appearing every hundred years or so. Topical coverage includes discussions of the problem of seeing the night sky in cities, the wonders of naked eye astronomy, the ``seeing'' instruments necessary for observation in an urban setting, planning an observing session in a city park and looking at the moon, planets, spacecraft, meteorites, comets, solar and lunar eclipses, unusual phenomena such as variable and double stars and the sun. The final chapter stresses the importance of astronomy as an invaluable educational tool and presents a number of projects that can be performed by the urban amateur astronomer.
Customer Reviews:
Tailored for City Observing.......2005-10-24
Written by a professional astronomer who headed the NYC Parks dept metro astronomy program, this book details the types of objects and techniques for viewing them not found in any general amateur astronomy text.
A text for the beginning city observer, Matloff's book concentrates on subjects such as how to find your way around the sky when there are only a few dozen or less stars visible; what objects are are visible under such conditions; and deals with the Moon Sun and bright planets at leagth as these objects are the meat on the urban observer's plate.
Altogether, this book is recommended to those city dwellers who have a hesitant interest in astronomy, wondering just what can be seen under severely light polluted skies. Turns out there is a great deal after all and Matloff makes for a good beginning guide.
If looking for a guide to urban observing, SKIP THIS ONE........2004-02-21
This book mostly consists of introductory general information about astronomy. The gimmick of this book that gives it its title is the automatic insertion of the word "urban" in front of the word "astronomer", "astronomy", or "observer". The star charts included in the book are among the worst ever printed and depict all the stars as the same brightness. Don't waste your money on this one (I bought mine used).
Average customer rating:
- Planetary introduction to Astronomy.
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The Amateur Astronomer (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy)
Patrick Moore
Manufacturer: Springer
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ASIN: 1852338784 |
Book Description
This 2000 Edition of Sir Patrick Moore’s classic book has been completely revised in the light of changes in technology. Not only do these changes include commercially available astronomical telescopes and software, but also what we know and understand about the universe. There are many new photographs and illustrations. Writing in the easy-going style that made him famous as a writer and broadcaster, Sir Patrick introduced astronomy and amateur observing together, so that his reader gets an idea of what he is observing at the same time as how to observe. Almost half the book is Appendices. These are hugely comprehensive and provide hints and tips, as well as data (year 2000 onwards) for pretty well every aspect of amateur astronomy. This is probably the only book in which all this information is collected in one place.
Customer Reviews:
Planetary introduction to Astronomy........1998-08-06
Although this book is easy to understand, its lack of color pictures and dry writing style makes it rather dull reading. There are better books on the market.
Book Description
The book will, in jargon-free blow-by-blow terms, describe how to create the best astronomical images you can with the digital camera equipment at your disposal. It will explain the steps we go through to extract results from the raw-and-dirty original imagery, and then transform them into high quality pictures that you could hang on your wall.
The advent of CCDs, and more recently inexpensive webcams, has led to a much greater proportion of amateur astronomers becoming involved in digital imaging. The low price of the new Meade Deep Sky Imager - $299 (2005) – suggests that within a few years a simple digital camera will become a standard accessory for any telescope.
There are as yet few books available on this aspect of amateur astronomy. This situation is likely to change in the next few years and there are going to be lots of people out there asking questions like "Flat field? What does that mean?", and trying to work out how to get the best out of their webcam, CCD or Digital SLR. They will also be wondering what is the best software to use.
To summarise; this is a book that tells practical astronomers (and that includes some but not all professionals) what is needed to get from standing in the dark with a telescope and a camera, to showing your spouse, local society friends or even supervisor the astonishing images that can be obtained with simple equipment but the right software and knowledge of how to use it.
(Grant Privett works for the Ministry of Defence in the UK, heading up the Advanced Image Processing Team.)
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Practical Source of Information.......2007-07-02
I have been a serious photographer for several years, and an intermediate astronomer for the last couple years. I have recently decided to try and marry these two interests together in the form of astrophotography. This book has been an outstanding source of practical, usable information that has made the transition to using a telescope in conjunction with my cameras much easier and more enjoyable. I especially benefited from Privett's section on Image Reduction; I found several mistakes in my technique that I was not even aware I was making. Privett has a very readable writing style, and he also uses a subtle sense of humor to make the reading enjoyable, and not just a dry technical treatise. I also own one of Privett's other books, The Deep-Sky Observer's Year, and these two books go together very well for planning what to shoot, and knowing how to shoot. I heartily recommend this book for anyone who wants practical advice on how to improve their digital astrophotography results.
Not worth the money.......2007-03-31
To start, this book is not 244 pages, it is 142 pages including indexes and appendices. I had hoped for a tutorial that would take you through the process of taking, processing and displaying astro photos. Given the advertised 244 pages (and the relatively high price) it seemed a reasonable expectation. It's not that there is something wrong, it's just that it's not anything special and for the price it should be. Bottom line, it's not worth the money
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