Exploring the Universe : A Practical Guide for Hobbyists

Have you ever wanted to get better at observing the universe but didn''t know where to begin? Have you ever wondered what you are looking at in the night sky? Whether you are just beginning or an advanced amateur astronomer, you will want to have this book in your astronomical library. This book wraps up an entire astronomy course around the study of astronomical images, all of which have been taken by the author. The fascinating images contained herein will inspire readers to explore the descriptions of astronomical objects of all types and the physical processes they undergo throughout the universe.

The author is both a career astronomy professor and an avid amateur astronomer who owns an arsenal of small telescopes for observing and conducting CCD imaging. The author’s descriptions are at a level any reader can follow. Using his own images, mostly taken with smaller telescopes as opposed to Hubble, James Webb, or multi-meter mountain top observatories, show amateur astronomers and hobbyists what can be accomplished by using modest and affordable equipment. The book begins with a primer on telescopes and the myriad types on the market today. You''ll read about why there are so many models as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. This is followed by an introduction to astrophotography, a complete description of paper and digital star atlases available today, and a discussion on celestial nomenclature – why are celestial objects named what they are named! You''ll learn about light, and how it interacts with matter to create what we see in the night sky. Finally, you''ll go on a grand tour of the Universe, from the Moon and Sun to comets, nebulae, star clusters and galaxies.