Compendium of Practical Astronomy
Volume 1: Instrumentation and Reduction Techniques
Published on 6. December 2012
XXIV, 540 pages
978-3-642-45688-6 (ISBN)
Description
It is a pleasure to present this work, which has been well received in German-speaking countries through four editions, to the English-speaking reader. We feel that this is a unique publication in that it contains valuable material that cannot easily-if at all-be found elsewhere. We are grateful to the authors for reading through the English version of the text, and for responding promptly (for the most part) to our queries. Several authors have supplied us, on their own initiative or at our suggestion, with revised and updated manuscripts and with supplementary English references. We have striven to achieve a translation of Handbuch for Sternfreunde which accurately presents the qualitative and quantitative scientific principles con tained within each chapter while maintaining the flavor of the original Ger man text. Where appropriate, we have inserted footnotes to clarify material which may have a different meaning and/or application in English-speaking countries from that in Germany. When the first English edition of this work, Astronomy: A Handbook (translated by the late A. Beer), appeared in 1975, it contained 21 chapters. This new edition is over twice the length and contains 28 authored chap ters in three volumes. At Springer's request, we have devised a new title, Compendium of Practical Astronomy, to more accurately reflect the broad spectrum of topics and the vast body of information contained within these pages.
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Content
of Volume 1.- 1 Introduction to Astronomical Literature and Nomenclature.- 1.1 Astronomy and the Observer.- 1.2 The Astronomy Library.- 1.3 Catalogues and Maps.- 1.4 Almanacs.- 1.5 Reduction of Observations.- 2 Fundamentals of Spherical Astronomy.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 The Coordinates.- 2.3 Time and the Phenomena of Daily Motion.- 2.4 Changes in the Coordinates of a Star.- 2.5 Problems of the Calendar and Time Zones.- 2.6 The Variability of the Time Systems.- 2.7 Spherical Trigonometry.- References.- 3 Applied Mathematics and Error Theory.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 The Theory of Errors.- 3.3 Interpolation and Numerical Differentiation and Integration.- 3.4 Photographic Astrometry.- 3.5 Determination of the Position and Brightness of Planets and of the Planetographic Coordinates.- 3.6 The Reduction of Stellar Occultations.- References.- 4 Optical Telescopes and Instrumentation.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Basics of Optical Computation.- 4.3 Imaging Errors.- 4.4 Methods of Optical Testing.- 4.5 Telescope Systems.- 4.6 Telescope Performance.- 4.7 Accessories.- 4.8 Visual Observations.- 4.9 Photographic Plates and Photoelectric Detectors.- 4.10 Services for Telescopes and Accessories.- References.- 5 Telescope Mountings, Drives, and Electrical Equipment.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Basic Types of Telescope Mountings.- 5.3 General Design Criteria.- 5.4 Static Criteria of Telescope Mountings.- 5.5 Shafts and Bearings.- 5.6 The Foundation and Stability Against Tilting.- 5.7 Joining Elements.- 5.8 Measuring the Stiffness.- 5.9 Telescope Vibrations.- 5.10 Kinematic Aspects of Telescope Mountings.- 5.11 Drives in Right Ascension and Declination.- 5.12 Photoelectric Guiding Systems.- 5.13 Adjust Elements and Telescope Alignment on the Celestial Pole.- 5.14 The Setting Circles and Their Adjustment.- 5.15 Electrical Equipment.- 5.16 Comments on Literature Cited Here and in the Supplemental Reading List.- References.- 6 Astrophotography.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Cameras and Lenses.- 6.3 General Considerations.- 6.4 Stationary Cameras.- 6.5 Tracking Cameras.- 6.6 Long-Focus Astrophotography.- 6.7 Films for Astrophotography.- 6.8 Advanced Darkroom Techniques.- 6.9 Photographic Limiting Magnitude.- 6.10 Further Reading.- References.- 7 Fundamentals of Spectral Analysis.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 The Theory of Spectra.- 7.3 The Objects of Spectral Studies.- 7.4 Spectroscopic Instruments.- 7.5 The Analysis.- References.- 8 Principles of Photometry.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Limits and Accuracies of Photometric Measurements.- 8.3 Astronomical Color Systems.- 8.4 The Technique and Planning of Observations.- 8.5 Reduction Techniques.- 8.6 Photometry of Different Astronomical Objects - Generalities.- 8.7 Construction or Purchase of Receivers and Equipment for Reductions.- 8.8 General Literature on Photometry.- References.- 9 Fundamentals of Radio Astronomy.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Radio Radiation.- 9.3 Atmospheric Influences.- 9.4 Instrumentation.- 9.5 The Objects of Observation.- 9.6 Tested Observing Systems.- 9.7 Amateur Radio Astronomy Groups.- References.- 10 Modern Sundials.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 The Equinoxial Dial.- 10.3 Horizontal Dials and Vertical East-West Dials.- 10.4 The Vertical Deviating Dial.- 10.5 Designs for Higher Accuracy.- References.- 11 An Historical Exploration of Modern Astronomy.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.2 The Heliocentric System.- 11.3 Evolution of the Theory of Motions.- 11.4 Cataloguing the Stellar Sky.- 11.5 Astrophysics.- 11.6 Stellar Evolution and Stellar Systems.- 11.7 Observations at Invisible Wavelengths and Space Exploration.-11.8 Research in Historical Astronomy.- References.- 12 Astronomy Education and Instructional Aids.- 12.1 Introduction.- 12.2 Formal Astronomy Education.- 12.3 Facilities and Services Available to Schools and the General Public.- 12.4 Educational Resources in Astronomy.- References.- Appendix A: Educational Resources in Astronomy.- A.1 Planetariums, Museums, and Exhibits.- A.2 Observatories and Research Laboratories.- A.3 Astronomical Societies and Clubs.- A.4 General List of Sources for Mechanical Models and Exhibit Items.- A.5 General List of Sources for Audio-Visual Aids.- A.6 Telescopes and Observing Equipment.- A.7 Printed Materials.- Supplemental Reading List for Vol. 1.
