Celestial Objects for Modern Telescopes - Practical Amateur Astronomy Volume 2 by
Michael
A. Covington

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.

Price - £19.95 + £5.25 p&p.

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