Synopses & Reviews
How would you like to discover a comet? Would you like to be the first person to recognise a new star, such as a nova or supernova? This book tells you how to become an astronomical discoverer using only modest equipment. It describes what approach to take and how to search the night skies for the unexpected. It includes 19 contributions from amateur astronomers who are world famous for the discoveries they have already made. Dr William (Bill) Liller was a professional astronomer for 35 years, working at the University of Michigan and Harvard University, where he was Chairman of the Department of Astronomy. He took early retirement and started a second astronomical career, as an amateur astronomer. He is now the world's leading discoverer of novae and related objects, and has also found one comet, a supernova in a remote galaxy, and an asteroid. This book covers all the kinds of objects that an amateur can hope to find as a result of systematic searching. It includes personal contributions from noted amateurs such as David Levy and Minoru Honda (comets), Bob Evans (supernovae), and Eleanor Helin and Brian Manning (asteroids), who share the secrets of their successful methods. The use of electronic technology is included, as well as instructions on how to publicise a discovery. Extensive appendices pack in a mass of essential data for every new discoverer of cosmic events.
Review
"It is very hard not to grab your telescope and rush outside to search the skies after reading this book." David Hughes, New Scientist"The most enjoyable part of the book is the investigators' own tales. As each recounts his or her successes and failures, sacrifices and rewards, many rich and varied insights emerge...This book provides a readable and illuminating guide to making the most of the process." Ruth C. Peterson, Science"...fills an empty place in young adult collections." Book Report"The fascinating core of this volume looks closely not at the myriad of beginners but at two dozen of the most accomplished of the world's 100,000 telescopists." Scientific American"...a valuable and inspiring book for advanced amateur astronomers specifically interested in discovering comets, asteroids, novae, supernovae and new variable stars..." Physics in Canada
Synopsis
Excellent introduction to finding previously unknown comets, asteroids, novae and supernovae.
Synopsis
Excellent introduction to finding previously unknown comets, asteroids, novae and supernovae.
Synopsis
How would you like to discover a comet? Or be the first person to recognize a new star? This book will tell you how, and more! Writing for amateur astronomers using backyard equipment, noted astronomer, Bill Liller, describes exactly how to search the night skies for the unexpected, and what techniques work best for making astronomical discoveries. Author Liller covers all kinds of objects, such as comets, asteroids, novae, and supernovae that an amateur can hope to find as a result of systematic searching. One chapter also includes sage advice from successful amateurs, such as David Levy and Minoru Honda (comets), Bob Evans (supernovae), and Eleanor Helin and Brian Manning (asteroids), who share the secrets of their methods. The use of electronic technology is included, as well as instructions on how to publicize a discovery. Extensive appendices contain a wealth of essential data for every new discoverer of cosmic events. William Liller is the coauthor (with Ben Mayer) of the Cambridge Guide to Astronomy (1985) and has had a minor planet (3222) named after him.
Synopsis
This book tells you how to become an astronomical discoverer using only modest equipment. It describes what approach to take and how to search the night skies for the unexpected. It includes 19 contributions from amateur astronomers who are world famous for the discoveries they have already made.
Synopsis
Would you like to discover a comet? Or maybe you would like to be the first person on Earth - perhaps in the Universe - to recognise a celestial newcomer such as a nova or supernova. First published in 1992, this Guide tells you how to become an astronomical discoverer using only modest equipment. It describes what approaches to take in searching the night skies for the unusual and the unexpected. Included are 20 contributions from both amateur and professional astronomers who are world famous for their discoveries. This book covers all the kinds of objects that an amateur can hope to find as a result of systematic searching. Personal contributions from noted discoverers such as David Levy and Minoru Honda (comets), Bob Evans (supernovae), Eleanor Helin and Brian Manning (asteroids) and Mike Collins and Dan Kaiser (variable stars) reveal the secrets of their successful methods. The visual, photographic and electronic search techniques of the early nineties, are described as well as instructions on ways of reporting discoveries. Extensive appendices pack in a wealth of useful data for every intrepid discoverer of cosmic phenomena.
Table of Contents
Preface; 1. To begin with: initial thoughts and comments; 2. Comets and their kin: general characteristics; 3. Novae and supernovae: nuclear runaways; 4. Asteroids, variables and other interesting phenomena; 5. The discoverers: in their own words; 6. Seeing it first: visual searches; 7. Catching it on film: visual patrols; 8. Going modern: electronic imaging systems; 9. Telling the world: reporting discoveries; Appendices; Index.