More about the series Practical Astronomy...
Our Solar System is the ideal place for an amateur astronomer to get serious with their observations!
This book is for those who want to develop their ability to observe and image Solar System objects, including the planets and moons, the Sun, and comets and asteroids. They might be beginners, or they may have already owned and used an astronomical telescope for a year or more.
Newcomers are almost always wowed by sights such as the rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter, but have little idea how to find these objects for themselves (with the obvious exceptions of the Sun and Moon). They also need guidance about what equipment to use, besides a telescope.
This book is written by an expert on the Solar System, who has had a lot of experience with outreach programs, which teach others how to make the most of relatively simple and low-cost equipment. That does not mean that this book is not for serious amateurs. On the contrary, it is designed to show amateur astronomers, in a relatively light-hearted—and math-free way—how to become serious.
Table of Contents:
- How to Find the Solar System
- Telescope Mounts
- Telescopes, Binoculars and Light
- Photographing the Moon and Planets
- The Solar system in Context
- Earth’s Nearest Neighbor: The Moon
- The Planets: What You Can Realistically Expect to See
- The Sun, Star of the Solar System
- Small Fry: Asteroids and Comets
- The Apps and Downs of Mobile Devices for Astronomy
- Observing the Solar System from Your Armchair
The author Jane Clark is an English amateur astronomer who earns her living as an engineer.
