Photographs of Stars, Star-Clusters and Nebulae
Together with Records of Results Obtained in the Pursuit of Celestial Photography

Published between 1893 and 1899, this two-volume work illustrates the research of a pioneer of modern astronomy.

Isaac Roberts (Author)

9781108015233, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 31 October 2010

196 pages, 28 b/w illus.
29.7 x 21.1 x 1.1 cm, 0.48 kg

A geologist and fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, Isaac Roberts (1829–1904) made significant contributions to the photography of star-clusters and nebulae. By championing reflecting rather than refracting telescopes, Roberts was able to perceive previously unnoticed star-clusters, and was the first person to identify the spiral shape of the Great Andromeda Nebula. Roberts' use of a telescope for photographing stars, and a long exposure time, provided greater definition of stellar phenomena than previously used hand-drawings. Although Roberts' conclusions about the nature of the nebulae he photographed were not always correct, the book is significant for the possibilities it suggests for nebular photography. Published in 1893 and 1899, the two-volume Photographs of Stars represents the summation of his work with his assistant W. S. Franks at his observatory in Crowborough, Sussex. Volume 2 contains 29 plates of stars, and his conclusions about their origins and nature.

Preface
List of the plates
Instruments
List of abbreviations adopted in this work
1. The negatives
2. Epoch of the Fiducial stars, A.D. 1900
3. Table for converting the measured right ascensions
4. Deterioration of the negatives
5. Effects of atmospheric glare and of diffraction upon the films of photographic plates
6. Arrangement of the plates
7. Method for micro-puncturing the photographic discs of stars on plates
8. Star catalogues and photographic charts
9. Duration of the effective exposures given to photographic plates in the 20-inch reflector
10. Are the millions of stars and the numerous nebulosities limited in number and extent
11. The evolution of stellar systems
12. Inferences suggested by examination of the photographs
13. Description of the photographs
14. M.31. Andromedae
15. M.99 Virginis
16. M.51 Canum Venaticorum
17. Region of 7 Cassiopeiae
18. Nebulae in the Pleiades
19. M.42. Orionis
20. General conclusions concerning the evolution of stellar systems.

Subject Areas: Cosmology & the universe [PGK]