David Levy's Guide to Observing and Discovering Comets
Published on 15. May 2003
Book
Hardback
188 pages
978-0-521-82656-3 (ISBN)
Description
David Levy has held a lifelong passion for comets, and is one of the most successful comet discoverers in history. In this book he describes the observing techniques that have been developed over the years - from visual observations and searching, to photography, through to electronic charge-coupled devices (CCDs). He combines the history of comet hunting with the latest techniques, showing how our understanding of comets has evolved over time. This practical handbook is suitable for amateur astronomers, from those who are casually interested in comets and how to observe them, to those who want to begin and expand an observing program of their own. Drawing widely from his own extensive experience, Levy describes how enthusiastic amateurs can observe comets and try to make new discoveries themselves.
Reviews / Votes
"One of the most successful comet descoverers in history, Levy has produced a very readable account of his fascination with comets.... highly recommended to amateur astronomers and other wishing an introduction to the scientific process of discovery." ChoiceMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Illustrations
8 Plates, color; 25 Halftones, unspecified; 9 Line drawings, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 250 mm
Width: 175 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
527 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-82656-3 (9780521826563)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
David H. Levy
David Levy's Guide to Observing and Discovering Comets
Book
05/2003
Cambridge University Press
€51.98
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Person
David Levy is an amateur astronomer who has become one of the most successful comet discoverers in history.
Content
Preface; Part I. Why Observe Comets?: 1. Of history, superstition, magic, and science; 2. Comet science progresses; Part II. Discovering Comets: 3. Comet searching begins; 4. Tails and trails; 5. Comet searching in the twentieth century; 6. How I search for comets; 7. Searching for comets photographically; 8. Searching for comets with CCDs; 9. Comet hunting by reading; 10. Hunting for sungrazers over the Internet; 11. What to do when you think you've found a comet; Part III. A New Way of Looking at Comets: 12. When comets hit planets; 13. The future of visual comet hunting; Part IV. How to Observe Comets: 14. An introduction to comet hunting; 15. Visual observing of comets; 16. Estimating the magnitude of a comet; 17. Taking a picture of a comet; 18. Measuring where a comet is in the sky; Part V. Closing Notes: 19. My passion for comets.