Celestial Objects for Modern Telescopes
Practical Amateur Astronomy Volume 2

A unique guide introducing the latest modern resources available to amateur observers.

Michael A. Covington (Author)

9780521524193, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 26 September 2002

282 pages, 90 b/w illus. 16 tables
24.6 x 18.9 x 1.5 cm, 0.661 kg

' … very well written … will be of greatest use to absolute beginners and visual observers owning LX200 Autostar and NexStar telescopes.' Journal of the British Astronomical Association

Based on field notes made by the author during his own career as an amateur astronomer, this unique guide covers both the traditional and novel approaches to studying the night sky. In addition to the more standard techniques, it discusses the latest modern resources available to today's astronomer, such as personal computers, the Internet, and computerized telescopes. It includes practical advice on aspects such as site selection and weather; provides the reader with detailed instructions for observing the Sun, Moon, planets, and all types of deep-sky objects; and it introduces newer specialities such as satellite observing and the use of astronomical databases. The book concludes with detailed information about 200 stars, clusters, nebulae, and galaxies, suitable for viewing with modest-sized telescopes under suburban conditions. Written to complement How to Use a Computerized Telescope, this book will also appeal to astronomers with more traditional equipment.

Preface
Part I. Amateur Astronomy: 1. Using this book effectively
2. Observing sites and conditions
3. The Moon, the Sun, and eclipses
4. The planets
5. Comets, asteroids (minor planets), and artificial satellites
6. Constellations
7. Stars - identification, nomenclature, and maps
8. Stars - physical properties
9. Double and multiple stars
10. Variable stars
11. Clusters, nebulae, and galaxies
Part II. Celestial Objects for Suburban Telescopes: 12. Celestial objects for suburban telescopes
13. The January-February sky (R.A. 6h-10h)
14. The March-April sky (R.A. 10h-14h)
15. The May-June sky (R.A. 14h-18h)
16. The July-August sky (R.A. 18h-22h)
17. The September-October sky (R.A. 22h-2h)
18. The November-December sky (R.A. 2h-6h)
Part III. Appendices: A. Converting decimal minutes to seconds
B. Precession from 1950 to 2000
C. Julian date, 2001–2015.

Subject Areas: Popular astronomy & space [WNX], Astronomical observation: observatories, equipment & methods [PGG]