Product Description

This book is for amateur astronomers and telescope users who want to move beyond elementary stargazing to more challenging projects. Written by an accomplished amateur astronomer, this indispensable guide to more advanced work is packed with information and lucid explanations. The first section of the book sets out the fundamental principles of practical astronomy, with chapters on telescope optics, the atmosphere, telescope hardware, astrophotography, and electronic imaging. This knowledge is then applied to the full range of celestial bodies accessible by telescope: the solar system, stars and galaxies. For those users who want to move to even greater challenges, chapters on photometry, spectroscopy and radio astronomy bring observational astronomy to a level where data of real scientific value can be acquired.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #669871 in Books
• Published on: 1997-08-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 414 pages

Review
‘… many astronomers will welcome the updated second edition of Gerald North’s Advanced Amateur Astronomy.’ Carole Stott, New Scientist

‘Gerald North’s Advanced Amateur Astronomy will be welcomed by any amateur astronomer who is ready for somehting beyond beginner books … this 400-page volume is chock full of practical information about observing and equipment, with an emphasis on things that can be done straightforwardly - and usually inexpensively - by almost any amateur with modest experience. The author is an experienced lunar and planetary observer, contributing to the British Astronomical Association for nearly two decades, and it shows.’ Jay Reynolds Freeman, Sky and Telecscope

‘Advanced Amateur Astronomy has to compete with a number of rival books in the marketplace … but none that are more educational or easier to read. I would not hesitate in recommending it to any beginner with aspirations of becoming an experienced observer.’ Martin Mobberley

‘… this is an excellent book with which to consider specialising in a particular area of practical astronomy and … very good value for money.’ Robert Argyle, The Observatory

Customer Reviews

A useful , informative and practical astrononomy book
The title really says it all, but don't let that put you off reading this very well written book, it covers a wide range of topics such as the workings of a telescope drive, lens and mirror optics, to building a "barn door" camera platform for astrophotography. There are lots of useful mathematical formulae; the author both describes them in detail and how they are used in astronomy. Those of you with a practical bent will really appreciate this book in the way that the author details the design, construction and use of telescopes and accessories. I have already used a design in the book to construct a lens heater for my finder-scope and adapt an eyepiece so that it has illuminated cross-wires for more accurate tracking when making long-exposure photographs of faint galaxies and nebulae.

The practices and disciplines for successful and productive visual observations are well covered for virtually everything that can be observed. CCD, spectroscopy, radio astronomy, and astrophotography are also well covered in brief but thorough chapters.

All in all a very good book, not only for reference but also very readable in its own right.

Well worth reading
There are a large number of books to help people get started in astronomy but all too few that help them progress further.

Mr North gives the reader an overview of a number of areas where you can progress from "stargazing" to real observational astronomy. If you have looked at the various celestial sights and want to go into things more deeply, then this book will help you to do so. Practical have-a-go ideas.

My one reservation is in the area of radio astronomy where his contention that lower frequencies are easier to cope with is, in my opinion, rather debatable. Lower frequencies are very often affected by man-made interference even if the astronomical sources are usually stronger. The advent of surplus satellite TV equipment (often free) has made amateur radio astronomy at microwave frequencies using small dishes very practicable - the hard electronics are done for you. The other necessary items are either inexpensive or easy to make. Another point of contention in my view is his choice of a loop ariel for listening to the interactions of Jupiter and Io - I would would very strongly suggest a proper dipole as this is more likely to give good results - and you need to get results to be encouraged to continue. See the RadioSky Publishing or UKARANet web sites for more details...

I don't mean to be negative about the radio aspect, as I very much agree with Mr North that you should try it for yourself and I applaud its inclusion. I would also encourage you to buy this excellent book - and do the projects. I particularly liked his spectroscope.

Good for both intrest and Uni !
I would just like to say that this book is great !
I recomend it to any one in the subject.
Also keep a look out for Cannons new EOS 20Da nice SLR wich I think will go well with this book.
Regards.