Spectroscopy for Amateur Astronomers
Recording, Processing, Analysis and Interpretation

This book presents the astrophysical concepts behind astronomical spectroscopy, covering both theoretical and practical elements.

Marc F. M. Trypsteen (Author), Richard Walker (Author)

9781107166189, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 20 July 2017

162 pages, 129 b/w illus.
28.3 x 22.3 x 1.3 cm, 0.69 kg

'Cambridge University Press boasts a strong line of books on astronomy, and with the recent release of two books on amateur spectroscopy, the collection has grown only stronger. … If you're looking for a new observing challenge, or know someone who is, look to CUP for help getting started in with spectroscopy. … If you're a motivated amateur, this book will help you choose a spectrograph, guide you through your first recording, offer advice on processing the recorded spectra, and show you how to analyze it - all with amateur equipment. Pair this book with Richard Walker's Spectral Atlas for Amateur Astronomers and you'll have a comprehensive package on spectroscopy.' S. N. Johnson-Roehr, Sky & Telescope: The Essential Guide to Astronomy

This accessible guide presents the astrophysical concepts behind astronomical spectroscopy, covering both the theory and the practical elements of recording, processing, analysing and interpreting your spectra. It covers astronomical objects, such as stars, planets, nebulae, novae, supernovae, and events such as eclipses and comet passages. Suitable for anyone with only a little background knowledge and access to amateur-level equipment, the guide's many illustrations, sketches and figures will help you understand and practise this scientifically important and growing field of amateur astronomy, up to the level of Pro-Am collaborations. Accessible to non-academics, it benefits many groups from novices and learners in astronomy clubs, to advanced students and teachers of astrophysics. This volume is the perfect companion to the Spectral Atlas for Amateur Astronomers, which provides detailed commented spectral profiles of more than 100 astronomical objects.

Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Physical basics of spectroscopy
2. Electron transitions and formation of the spectra
3. Quantum mechanical aspects of spectroscopy
4. Types and function of dispersive elements
5. Types and function of spectrographs
6. Recording of the spectra
7. Processing of recorded spectra
8. Calibration of the spectra
9. Analysis of the spectra
10. Temperature and luminosity
11. Expansion and contraction
12. Rotation and orbital elements
13. Gravity, abundance and magnetic fields
14. Analysis of emission nebulae
15. Amateurs and astronomical science.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB]