Celestial Objects for Modern Telescopes

Based on field notes made by the author during his own career as an amateur astronomer, this unique guide covers both the traditional and novel approaches to studying the night sky. In addition to the more standard techniques, it discusses the latest modern resources available to today's astronomer, such as personal computers, the Internet, and computerized telescopes. It includes practical advice on aspects such as site selection and weather; provides the reader with detailed instructions for observing the Sun, Moon, planets, and all types of deep-sky objects; and it introduces newer specialities such as satellite observing and the use of astronomical databases. The book concludes with detailed information about 200 stars, clusters, nebulae, and galaxies, suitable for viewing with modest-sized telescopes under suburban conditions. Written to complement How to Use a Computerized Telescope, this book will also appeal to astronomers with more traditional equipment.

Contents

Preface

Part I. Amateur Astronomy:

• 1. Using this book effectively
• 2. Observing sites and conditions
• 3. The Moon, the Sun, and eclipses
• 4. The planets
• 5. Comets, asteroids (minor planets), and artificial satellites
• 6. Constellations
• 7. Stars - identification, nomenclature, and maps
• 8. Stars - physical properties
• 9. Double and multiple stars
• 10. Variable stars
• 11. Clusters, nebulae, and galaxies

Part II. Celestial Objects for Suburban Telescopes:

• 12. Celestial objects for suburban telescopes
• 13. The January-February sky (R.A. 6h-10h)
• 14. The March-April sky (R.A. 10h-14h)
• 15. The May-June sky (R.A. 14h-18h)
• 16. The July-August sky (R.A. 18h-22h)
• 17. The September-October sky (R.A. 22h-2h)
• 18. The November-December sky (R.A. 2h-6h)

Part III. Appendices:

• A. Converting decimal minutes to seconds
• B. Precession from 1950 to 2000
• C. Julian date, 2001–2015.