Bücher der Reihe The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series

Using the most popular commercially made filter gratings - Rainbow Optics (US) and Star Analyzer (UK) - as examples, this book provides the reader with information on how to set up and use the grating one needs to obtain stellar spectrograms.

Charge-coupled Devices (CCDs) have revolutionised astronomy. Even affordable CCD cameras can be ten times a sensitive as photographic film, and they deliver a digitised image that is easy to enhance using a personal computer. David Ratledge has brought together contributions from twelve leading amateurs from around the world, people who are routinely producing astronomical images of a quality that rivals those of professional observatories only of 10 years ago. These experts describe their techniques and solutions, and offer essential tips and advice for anyone who is choosing or using a CCD camera. Now glance through the Colour Gallery at the back of this book to see just what they have done!

"Twenty-Five Astronomical Observations That Changed the World" takes twenty-five journeys through space, back in time and into human history.

A valuable reference that fills a number of niches including that of a buyer's guide, technical desk reference and observer's field guide.

Designed for anyone who wishes to learn the constellations or observe the best and brightest deep sky objects and double stars, this book contains an alphabetical list of constellations complete with star maps, historical background, and highlights of deep sky objects.

This book contains everything the amateur astronomer needs to know about eclipses, including: what to look for, when and how to observe, what equipment is needed, and even how to mount an eclipse expedition.

Observing variable stars is one of the major contributions amateur astronomers make to science. There are 36,000 variable stars listed in the General Catalogue of Variable Stars, so it is clearly impossible for the limited number of professional observatories to target even the majority of them.

In this book, Warren Keller reveals the secrets of astro-image processing software PixInsight in a practical and easy to follow manner, allowing the reader to produce stunning astrophotographs from even mediocre data.

This book is for the aging amateur astronomy population, including newcomers to astronomy in their retirement and hobbyists who loved peering through a telescope as a child.

What is unique about Richard Norton's book is that it is both a field guide to observing meteors, and also a field guide to locating, preparing and analysing meteorites.

This celebrity editor has brought together noted professional and amateur astronomers to submit chapters on their particular field of expertise, each describing how to observe a different class of object.

Enrich your next sea vacation with this fun how-to guide to observing and doing astrophotography on water. Collecting together the authorΓÇÖs five decades of photography and teaching experience, this book shares all the practical information you will need to start on your own astronomy adventure.Part I is full of practical advice on what to pack, the best ways to enjoy the night sky from your cruise ship observatory, specific astronomical objects and events to look out for, and myriad other useful tips. Part II on astrophotography will teach you the nitty-gritty details of taking pictures of the night sky while at sea. Proof that it can be done is provided by the many amazing color astrophotographs taken by the author while following the steps laid out in this book.

This book is for the amateur astronomer who wants to know about the astrophysical nature of deep sky objects. Thus, coverage here is limited to approximately 500 of the most commonly observed objects in the Northern Hemisphere and - an enhancement for the Second Edition - approximately 50 of those in the Southern Hemisphere.

This book details everything beginners in spectroscopy need to know, helping them go from easy to more advanced, scientifically useful observations. It discusses two popular spectrographs and explains how to use two spectroscopy processing software programs.

This is a comprehensive guide to buying, testing, and using a refracting telescope. It is written mainly for amateur astronomers who already own or are intending to purchase a refracting telescope, but will prove useful for non-astronomical observers.

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.

Commercially-made astronomical telescopes are better and less expensive than ever before, and their optical and mechanical performance can be superb.

Catadioptric telescopes (CATs) such as the Schmidt Cassegrains remain popular among amateur astronomers for their ability to reveal thousands of beautiful deep-space wonders. Additionally, their computer-assisted capabilities allow them to automatically point to and track celestial objects, making astronomy accessible to more people than ever before. However, selecting the right one and learning how to use it can be difficult for stargazers both old and new. ThatΓÇÖs where this book comes in. The first edition, published in 2009, has remained the standard reference for mastering these popular instruments. This revised edition brings the material completely up to date, with several extensively rewritten chapters covering the most recent developments in telescope and camera equipment as well as computer software.Through the authorΓÇÖs 45 years of experience with catadioptric telescopes, readers will learn to decide which catadioptric telescope is right for them, to choose a specific make and model, and finally, to use the telescope in the field. Covered in other chapters are: Solar System and deep-sky observations; astrophotography and computer control of CATs; and troubleshooting and maintaining your equipment.If you dream of owning a telescope or are frustrated by the telescope you already own, this is the book for you! 

From phenomena as old and far-off as a supernova witnessed a thousand years ago, and as recent and nearby as Sputnik's famous beeping, this book covers everything that one must know to see, hear, and appreciate the astronomical events happening around us.

Michael Swanson's online discussions with literally thousands of NexStar owners made it clear that there was a desperate need for a book such as this - one that provides a complete, detailed guide to buying, using and maintaining NexStar telescopes.

It tells you the best times to view the Moon, the most exciting sights to look out for, and the best equipment to use, allowing you to snap stunning photographs as well as view the sights with your own eyes.

Covering both homemade and commercial products, this book provides the reader with simple and straightforward information about the modeling, building, and use of binoscopes.

Almost every practical astronomer eventually aspires to have a fixed, permanent observatory for his or her telescope. A roll-off roof or dome observatory is the answer for the most popular home observatory design. Building a Roll-Off or Dome Observatory will help you decide whether to embark on the venture and will certainly increase your enthusiasm for the project.The author, both an amateur astronomer and a professional landscape architect, answers many of the common questions asked about observatory construction, covering the following topics:ΓÇó Zoning, and by-law requirements common to most states, towns and municipalitiesΓÇó Where to locate the observatoryΓÇó How to tailor the observatory for your particular needsΓÇó Tools and structural components requiredΓÇó Possible variations in designΓÇó How to combine the structure with other structures (incorporating a garden patio under the gantry inthe roll-off roof observatory, for example) This fully detailed outlines step-by-step construction, with professional detailed diagrams for each phase of construction.

This book is for amateur astronomers who would like to know the mythology behind the names of astronomical objects in the night sky.

This book contains everything you need to know about variable stars -- stars whose brightness varies noticeably over time.