The Planet Observer's Handbook

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Paperback | 11 September 2001 | Edition Number 2

At a Glance

Paperback
448 Pages

Edition Type
Revised

Dimensions(cm)
24.61 x 18.9 x 2.31

Paperback

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Here is an informative, up-to-date and well-illustrated guide to planetary observations for amateurs. After chapters on the solar system and the celestial sphere, the text explains how to choose, test and use a telescope with various accessories and how to make observations and record results. For each planet and the asteroids, Price gives details of observational techniques, together with suggestions for how to make contributions of sound astronomical value. From a general description and detailed observational history of each planet, readers learn how to anticipate what they should see and assess their own observations. New to this edition is a chapter on planetary photography that includes the revolutionary use of videography, charge coupled devices and video-assisted drawing. Another new feature is a section on the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud. Other chapters on making maps and planispheres and on photoelectric photometry round out the book's up-to-date treatment, making this indispensable reading for both casual and serious observer alike.

Industry Reviews

'... [contains] a tremendous amount of useful information, and helpful advice ... a definite success ... valuable both to the beginner and to the serious planetary observer. I strongly recommend it.' Patrick Moore, New Scientist '... [contains] many pearls of information ... presented concisely with excellent illustrations ... a synopsis of historical observations provides excellent foundations for planning observational programs...' Donald Parker, Sky and Telescope 'This first-class introductory book ... is one of the best ... A great deal of invaluable information, factual and historical, has been condensed into this handbook ...'. Irish Astronomical Journal '... contains a wealth of information ... an excellent handbook on the planets. Recommended.' Reference Book Review 'The Planetary Observer's Handbook is a valuable source of information and advice for anyone interested in our planetary neighbours. It is an enthusiastic and well written work and I recommend it to both the beginner and the serious planetary observer.' Antony Brian, Astronomy Now 'Whether your interest is in simple visual observation, scientifically useful observing projects or anywhere in between The Planet Observer's Handbook is the book for you.' Astronomy and Space

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Science Astronomy, Space & Time Astronomical Observation & Observatories Solar System including The Sun & Planets Science in General History of Science Nature & The Natural World Popular Astronomy & Space Cosmology & The Universe

Foreword	p. xi
Preface	p. xiii
Acknowledgements	p. xv
Abbreviations used in this book	p. xvii
Introduction: Why observe the planets?	p. 1
The Solar System	p. 4
General	p. 4
A scale model of the Solar System	p. 9
Bode's Law	p. 10
Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion	p. 11
Elements of planetary orbits. Perturbations	p. 12
Planetary conjunctions, oppositions, phases and transits	p. 12
The sidereal and synodic orbital periods of the planets	p. 15
The brightness of the planets	p. 18
Further reading	p. 19
The celestial sphere	p. 20
General	p. 20
Positions on the celestial sphere	p. 21
The ecliptic and the Zodiac	p. 21
Celestial latitude and longitude	p. 25
The precession of the equinoxes. Nutation	p. 26
Sidereal time (star time)	p. 27
The apparent motions of the planets on the celestial sphere	p. 27
Further reading	p. 30
Telescopes and accessories	p. 31
Types of telescopes	p. 31
The choice of telescope	p. 40
Protecting the telescope from dust and atmospheric pollution	p. 65
Cleaning the mirror of a Newtonian reflector	p. 66
Housing and care of your telescope	p. 66
Further reading	p. 68
The atmosphere and seeing	p. 69
General	p. 69
Assessing atmospheric seeing conditions	p. 70
The effect of telescope aperture	p. 70
Local effects on seeing	p. 71
Further Reading	p. 72
Mercury	p. 73
General	p. 73
History of observation	p. 75
Visibility of Mercury	p. 85
The axial rotation of Mercury	p. 88
Observing Mercury	p. 90
Transits of Mercury	p. 95
Further reading	p. 100
Venus	p. 102
General	p. 102
History of observation	p. 105
Space probe exploration of Venus	p. 120
Observing Venus	p. 124
Transits of Venus	p. 133
Further reading	p. 134
Mars	p. 135
General	p. 135
Orbital characteristics	p. 136
Predicting oppositions	p. 138
The retrograde motion of Mars	p. 139
Martian seasons	p. 141
Surface features	p. 143
Atmospheric phenomena	p. 146
History of observation	p. 148
Observing Mars	p. 170
Features for observation	p. 177
Longitude determination of Martian features	p. 183
Further reading	p. 186
The minor planets (asteroids)	p. 188
General	p. 188
Discovery and history of observation of the minor planets	p. 189
Visibility of the minor planets	p. 197
Observing the minor planets	p. 197
Further reading	p. 207
Jupiter	p. 209
General	p. 209
History of observation	p. 213
Variations in the cloud belts	p. 222
The 1994 Shoemaker-Levy cometary impact event on Jupiter	p. 227
Surface markings of the satellites	p. 230
Spacecraft observation of Jupiter	p. 223
Visibility of Jupiter	p. 236
Observing Jupiter	p. 237
Determination of the longitudes of Jovian features by central meridian transit timings	p. 238
Classification and description of Jovian disc features	p. 243
Determination of latitudes of Jovian features	p. 245
Disc drawings, strip and sectional sketches	p. 249
Determination of rotational periods of Jovian features from longitudinal drift	p. 251
Observations of the Great Red Spot	p. 253
Colour changes and intensity estimates of Jovian features	p. 256
General observing notes	p. 257
Further reading	p. 269
Saturn	p. 270
General	p. 270
History of observation	p. 273
Spacecraft exploration of Saturn	p. 301
The satellites of Saturn	p. 305
Visibility of Saturn	p. 307
Observing Saturn	p. 307
Recent oppositions of Saturn	p. 320
Further reading	p. 321
Uranus	p. 323
General	p. 323
The discovery of Uranus	p. 327
Prediscovery sightings of Uranus	p. 330
History of observation	p. 330
Spacecraft exploration of Uranus	p. 339
Visibility of Uranus	p. 341
Observing Uranus	p. 341
Further reading	p. 344
Neptune	p. 346
General	p. 346
The discovery of Neptune	p. 346
Prediscovery sightings of Neptune	p. 352
History of observation	p. 353
Spacecraft exploration of Neptune	p. 357
Visibility of Neptune	p. 361
Observing Neptune	p. 361
Further reading	p. 362
Pluto	p. 364
General	p. 364
The search for a trans-Neptunian planet	p. 365
The discovery of Pluto	p. 366
History of observation	p. 367
Beyond Pluto	p. 372
Visibility of Pluto	p. 374
Observing Pluto	p. 374
Further reading	p. 375
Constructing maps and planispheres	p. 377
General	p. 377
The horizontal orthographic projection	p. 377
Cylindrical projections	p. 378
The polar projection	p. 381
Further reading	p. 382
Planetary photography and videography	p. 383
General	p. 383
The planetary photographer's camera	p. 383
Choice of film	p. 387
Characteristics of some films	p. 388
Black and white film processing	p. 389
Photography of individual planets	p. 389
Exposure times	p. 392
Video and CCD photography (videography) of the planets	p. 393
Using a CCD camera	p. 396
Suppliers of CCD cameras	p. 400
Video-assisted drawing (VAD) of the planets	p. 402
A note on digital imaging	p. 403
Further reading	p. 403
Photoelectric photometry of the minor planets, planets and their satellites	p. 405
General	p. 405
The photoelectric photometer and its components	p. 406
Telescopes for photoelectric photometry	p. 408
Photoelectric photometric procedure	p. 409
Photoelectric photometry of the minor planets	p. 409
Colorimetric photoelectric photometry	p. 411
Photoelectric photometry of the planets and their satellites	p. 412
Further reading	p. 414
Milestones in Solar System exploration	p. 415
Name index	p. 417
Subject index	p. 421
Table of Contents provided by Syndetics. All Rights Reserved.

The Planet Observer's Handbook

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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