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Viewing and Imaging the Solar System

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Author: Jane Clark and Patrick Moore

A Guide for Amateur Astronomers

‘Viewing and Imaging the Solar System: A Complete Guide for Amateur Astronomers’ is for amateur astronomers who are beginners or who want to move beyond the beginner level and develop better observing skills. Newcomers to astronomy are almost always wowed by sights such as the rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter, but have little idea how to find Solar System objects for themselves, or what equipment they will need to see or even photograph such objects. This book makes it easy for less advanced astronomers to achieve success quickly by observing and photographing the Solar System rather than trying to find deep sky objects. It is written by an expert on the Solar System, who gained experience by teaching others how to make the most of relatively simple and low-cost equipment. This book presents the material in a way that is both easy to digest and entertaining. Its goal is to help the reader get the most out of observing and photographing a variety of Solar System objects, from the Moon and easily observable major planets and moons to the harder to observe smaller planets, asteroids, and comets.                                                                                     

Industry Reviews                         

“If you happen to be a young amateur astronomer just starting out with astronomy and observing, then this book might be a good read … . gives a quick and short overview of what a beginner observer might need to know or think of before heading outside on a cold clear night. … if you want to start out a new hobby of astrophotography without any prior knowledge about the night sky, it’s the book to go to.” (Kadri Tinn, AstroMadness.com, November, 2014)

Universe

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Author: Martin Rees

The Definitive Visual Guide

From the fiery mass of the Sun’s core to the black hole at the centre of the Milky Way.  Universe takes you on the ultimate guided tour of the cosmos. Full of stunning out-of-this world images reflecting recent advances in space imagery, you’ll go on a journey from our solar system all the way to the farthest limits of space. With information on the nature of the universe, the study of cosmology, Earth’s motion, modern telescopes, astrophotography, and even a comprehensive star atlas, this ground breaking encyclopaedia takes a dazzling and expansive look at the Universe and is a must-have for both students and astronomy enthusiasts. Includes a comprehensive star atlas that covers all the constellations and planetary charts showing their positions right up to 2019, with entries on each of the 88 constellations and notable celestial objects that lie within them, and a monthly sky guide showing the night sky as it appears throughout the year.

Universe Down to Earth

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Author: Neil de Grasse Tyson

This witty and amusing exploration of the physical universe explains fundamental concepts in language that is clear to anyone with little or no scientific background. Tyson transforms everyday experiences into venues of cosmic enlightenment as he probes the philosophy, methods, and discoveries of science, including stellar evolution, the conservation of energy, the electromagnetic spectrum, gravity and thermodynamics. Deftly demystifying astronomical terms and concepts such as the Big Bang, black holes, redshifts, syzygy, and Kirkwood Gaps, Universe Down to Earth traces the life of the stars from birth to death; presents the Periodic Table of Elements, highlighting noteworthy elements such as titanium, iron, and hydrogen; gives an unorthodox yet entertaining tour of famous constellations; and tackles modern-day astrology.

The Total Skywatcher’s Manual

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Author: Linda Shore

275 Skills and Tricks for Exploring Stars, Planets and Beyond. The ultimate, up-to-date guide for stagazers, comet-spotters, and planet-seekers.

This straightforward volume presents a broad view of astronomy spanning known facts, evolving ideas, and frontier discoveries. The authors combine qualitative reasoning and analogies with familiar objects and phenomena to awaken readers to the excitement of the universe around them. Incorporates new understanding and emphases in contemporary astronomy, including the latest data on topics ranging from adaptive optics and solar system formation to extrasolar planets and the recent missions to Mars. Top-notch illustration program exploits the full range of the electromagnetic spectrum, including images taken at radio, infrared, ultraviolet, X-ray, or gamma-ray wavelengths, in addition to visible-light photographs. For anyone interested in learning more about astronomy.

The Young Astronomer

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Author: Ian Ridpath

Here is a book that contains useful information for the amateur astronomer.

The book contains more than 200 full-colour photographs, diagrams and charts.

This fascinating guide explains exactly what stars, planets and other objects can be seen in the sky

The Unforgotten Sisters

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Author: Gabriella Bernardi

Female Astronomers and Scientists before Caroline Herschel

Taking inspiration from Siv Cedering’s poem in the form of a fictional letter from Caroline Herschel that refers to “my long, lost sisters, forgotten in the books that record our science”, this book tells the lives of twenty-five female scientists, with specific attention to astronomers and mathematicians. Each of the presented biographies is organized as a kind of “personal file” which sets the biographer’s life in its historical context, documents her main works, highlights some curious facts, and records citations about her. The selected figures are among the most representative of this neglected world, including such luminaries as Hypatia of Alexandra, Hildegard of Bingen, Elisabetha Hevelius, and Maria Gaetana Agnesi. They span a period of about 4000 years, from En HeduAnna, the Akkadian princess, who was one of the first recognized female astronomers, to the dawn of the era of modern astronomy with Caroline Herschel and Mary Somerville. The book will be of interest to all who wish to learn more about the women from antiquity to the nineteenth century who played such key roles in the history of astronomy and science despite living and working in largely male-dominated worlds.                                                                                                                             Industry Reviews

“The book gives short biographical accounts of over twenty women from ancient times to the beginning of 19th century. … It is also interesting to read some of the opinions of the lady astronomers about what they thought about such occupation for a female – who thinks it’s wholly suitable and nothing should come in the way of a woman in science as they are in possession of equal faculties to any man.

The Space Book

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Author: Jim Bell

We live in a truly golden age of astronomy and space exploration that may allow us to unravel some of the biggest mysteries of all: How did the Universe begin? Are there other Earth-like planets out there? Are we alone? “The Space Book” is a gateway into these kinds of questions – and more – for anyone interested in the worlds beyond our planet. Expanding the series that began with the highly successful volume “The Math Book” (9781402757969), astronomer and planetary scientist Astronomer Jim Bell presents 250 of the most ground breaking astronomical events, from the formation of galaxies to the recent discovery of water ice on Mars. Beautiful photographs or illustrations accompany each entry. Open the book to any page to discover some new wonder or mystery about the Universe around us.

The Caldwell Objects

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Author: Stephen O’Meara

The Caldwell Catalogue of deep-sky objects covers the entire celestial sphere, highlighting cosmic wonders for observers worldwide. Stephen James O’Meara has tirelessly observed all 109 Caldwell objects, and this book presents his sketches and detailed visual descriptions, and discusses each object’s history and astrophysical significance.

For more than two centuries, amateur astronomers have earned their stripes by observing the 109 star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies catalogued by French comet hunter Charles Messier. Now a new list of 109 equally appealing deep-sky delights is bringing a new generation of astronomers even closer to the beauty and mystery of the night sky. Carefully compiled by Sir Patrick Moore, the Caldwell Catalogue covers the entire celestial sphere, highlighting cosmic wonders for observers worldwide. Stephen James O’Meara has tirelessly observed all 109 Caldwell objects. Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects presents not only his beautiful sketches and detailed visual descriptions – it discusses each object’s rich history and astrophysical significance. The latest fundamental data on each object are tabulated, and the book’s star charts will lead observers to each object’s precise location. This book is co-published with Sky Publishing Corporation.

The Astronomy of Birr Castle

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Author: Patrick Moore

The story of astronomy at Birr Castle in Ireland is among the most extraordinary events in the nineteenth-century science. Here in the 1840s, a distinguished telescope-maker and astronomer, the 3rd Earl of Rosse, built his 72-inch reflecting telescope, and so began an epic investigation deeper into the universe than had til then been possible.

Incredibly the ‘leviathan’ of Parsonstown as it came to be known, was to remain the world’s largest telescope until 1917. The work of the 3rd Earl was carried on after his death by the 4th Earl. And over several decades, Birr Castle witnessed such landmarks as the revolutionary discovery that nebulae could be resolved into separate star systems beyond our own galaxy.    

The Story of Astronomy

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Author: Peter Aughton

From Babylonian Stargazers to the search for the Big Bang, the Story of Astronomy, From the ancient origins of astronomy to the Copernican revolution, and from Galileo to Hawking’s research into black holes, The Story of Astronomy charts the discoveries of some of the greatest minds in human history, and their attempts to unveil the secrets of the stars.