The Sky is Your Laboratory

• A modern, practical guide to how the backyard observer can contribute to astronomical science
• Projects are more advanced; new sections on meteors, meteor showers, novas and supernovas, and extrasolar planets
• Describes a wide range of research areas where amateurs are gathering new scientific data that will be utilized by professional astronomers
• Describes the essential ways in which an amateur's scientific contribution differs from casual backyard observing
• Provides a concise explanation of the purpose and value of the amateur astronomers' observations
• Identifies the equipment that is needed, observing procedures, data reduction techniques and how and where to submit results

Written by an astronomer who is well known amongst the amateur and professional community for the skill and quality of his work, this book describes a wide range of research areas where amateurs are gathering new scientific data useful to professional astronomers. For each research area, the book provides a concise explanation of the purpose and value of the amateurs' observations, a description of the equipment that is needed, specific observing procedures, complete data reduction instructions, and an explanation of how to submit results to the professionals.

Till now there has been no text that points curious amateur astronomers to the research possibilities open to them. At the 2006 meeting of the Society for Astronomical Sciences, participants agreed that the lack of such a text was a serious gap in the astronomical book market, and that this gap is impeding their efforts to encourage more amateur astronomers to get involved in research collaborations. This book will fill that gap, and enable more amateur astronomers to add research-type studies to their pursuit of the hobby.

Written for: Experienced amateur astronomers