Astronomer
Find various books on being an Astronomer, from fiction, to fact. SA Career Focus has assembled these titles for your convenience. To purchase any of the books reviewed below, please click on the title/icon of the relevant book, and you will automatically be linked to the supplier's website. All orders, purchases and payments are dealt with directly by them. Astronomers observe objects in space using a wide range of specialised telescopes. They usually carry out observational or theoretical tasks. Astronomers study planet and star movement and positions, galaxies and other objects in space; their physical and chemical properties, and use the information to determine their origins and evolution. Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide
For a generation, Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide has introduced hundreds of thousands of readers worldwide to the night sky. Now this classic beginner's guide has been completely revised with over 100 new photos and illustrations, including a full-color insert; reviews of the newest telescopes and spacecraft; and an overview of the best astronomy Web sites. Packed with valuable tables, charts, and star and moon maps, this guide covers the essentials of an introductory college-level astronomy course, while letting self-learners proceed at their own pace. Dinah L. Moche, PhD (Rye, NY), is Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the City University of New York and an award-winning author and lecturer. Her books have sold over ten million copies in seven languages. Review by Kalahari.net Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe with Mastering astronomy
For one-semester Introduction to Astronomy courses. With Astronomy: A Beginner's Guide, Sixth Edition, trusted authors Eric Chaisson and Steve McMillan communicate their excitement about astronomy and awaken students to the universe around them. Thoroughly updated, the revised edition focuses on the process of scientific discovery and scientific method, making how we know what we know a more integral part of the text with attention to clearly and concisely presenting scientific terms to the non-science student. The authors incorporate three themes in this briefer version of their two textbooks; process of science, the size and scale of the universe as well as the evolution of the universe. A Beginner's Guide emphasizes critical thinking and visualization, and is now available with a custom tailored leading-edge technology program. The Sixth Edition features an even greater focus on the process of science, Mastering astronomy, and a dedicated my e-Book. Review by Kalahari.net Astronomy: A Visual Guide
Astronomy provides a survey of science's growing understanding of space, including facts on space research and space probes. Packed with stunning images and diagrams, the book features: - A wide variety of heavenly phenomena, including distant stars, the planets of the solar system, comets and shooting stars, eclipses and black holes. - Vivid cross-sections of the planets with concise descriptions and a chart of their relative distance from the sun. - Spectacular photographs from the world's finest observatories and space-based cameras, many further expertly clarified by digital graphics. - Easy-to-read monthly sky maps with symbols to identify open and globular star clusters, galaxies and planetary nebulae. - Labeled and diagrammed constellations. - Profiles of nebulae, clusters and galaxies. - Pictographs showing whether viewings require binoculars or a telescope. Astronomy is a highly recommended, fascinating and easy-to-use illustrated reference for amateur astronomers of all levels. Recent photographs from the world's finest observatories and space-based cameras provide a visual survey of science's growing understanding of space. Vivid cross-sections, concise descriptions, and a chart of the planets provide at-a-glance information. Review by Kalahari.net Extreme Ultraviolet Astronomy
This text describes the development of astronomy in the Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) wavelength range, from the first rocket-based experiments in the late 1960s through to later satellite missions. Discussions of the results from important space projects are followed by an analysis of the contributions made by EUV astronomy to the study of specific groups of astronomical objects. Within this framework, the book provides detailed material on the tools of EUV astronomy, dealing with the instrumentation, observational techniques, and modelling tools for the interpretation of data. Prospects for future EUV missions are discussed, and a catalogue of the known EUV sources is included. This book will be of great value to graduate students and researchers. It gives a complete overview of Extreme Ultraviolet astronomy. Review by Kalahari.net Space/Hubble Telescope Able to detect light from distant sources before it is distorted by our planet's atmosphere. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope provides breathtaking high-resolution images of celestial phenomena, ranging from objects in our own solar system to far distant galaxies and nebulae. These extraordinary color photographs have captured the public's imagination and given astronomers new insights into the dynamics and evolution of the universe. Each of this calendar's twelve astounding Hubble images is accompanied by a description of the object depicted. Important dates in space exploration history, as well as 2010's astronomical events, are noted throughout. Review by Kalahari.net Instant Egghead Guide: The Universe
Everything from quarks to galactic super clusters delivered to your eyeballs at the speed of light (any faster would be impossible) Take a tour of the wonder and majesty of the universe, from the smallest subatomic particles to the possibility of infinite universes. According to some prominent physicists, it's possible that, right now, someone who looks just like you is reading the back of a book just like this one in a parallel universe. And your double thinks it looks really interesting... Whether you're a fan of Scientific American 's wildly popular 60-Second Science Podcast or just curious about science, you're going to want to dust off your Dad's telescope and warm up your particle accelerator after enjoying the same bite-sized science in The Instant Egghead Guide to the Universe. Review by Kalahari.net Philip's Stargazing with a Telescope This new edition of Philip's Stargazing with a Telescope has been fully revised and updated to include the latest telescopes and accessories on the market. The book reveals what to expect from a telescope and how to choose the right one. It gives straightforward explanations of how they work, and how to progress from first-time user to hobby observer. In addition, it gives practical help for setting up and using any telescope, and provides lists of objects to look at with different sizes of telescope, from both town and country, including the Sun, Moon, planets, comets, asteroids, stars, clusters, variable stars, double stars, novae and supernovae, nebulae and galaxies. Aimed principally at newcomers to astronomy of all ages, who would like to begin observing for themselves, Philip's Stargazing with a Telescope describes the full range of telescopes that are internationally available, with examples of objects to observe from both northern and southern hemispheres. It also gives informative advice about suitable accessories, such as eyepieces and filters, plus suggestions for astrophotography using cameras, CCDs and web cams. The guidance given is appropriate for all observing conditions. The book also includes a glossary of technical terms and an index, making it even easier for the beginner to use and understand. Discusses what to expect from a telescope and how to choose the right one. This book offers explanations of how they work and how to progress from first-time user to hobby observer. It also offers practical help for setting up and using different telescopes, and provides lists of objects to look at with different sizes of telescopes. Review by Kalahari.net Measure Solar System Objects and Their Movements for Yourself! Instead of taking somebody's word for it about the basic size and distance statistics for the solar system, this book shows amateur astronomers how to measure these things for themselves. This is an enriching experience for any amateur astronomer - to understand and personally measure some fundamental astronomical quantities and distances. A basic knowledge of geometry is required, but it is amazing how simple the geometry can be. Readers are led through the geometry as gently as possible - and in a light-hearted way - presuming that most non-academics will have half-forgotten most of their mathematics. The practical astronomical equipment recommended is no more than a typical commercially-made amateur telescope and a camera of some sort - these days a webcam works very well. Apart from that all the reader will need is access to a computer, the know-how to download free software, and an enthusiasm to expand his knowledge of the basis of scientific astronomy. Review by Kalahari.net Stargazing: Astronomy Without a Telescope On a clear night, the vastness and beauty of the star-filled sky is awe-inspiring. In Stargazing: Astronomy without a Telescope Patrick Moore, Britain's best known astronomer explains all you need to know about the universe visible to the naked eye. With the aid of charts and illustrations he examines how to 'read' the stars, to know which constellations lie overhead, their trajectory throughout the seasons, and the legends ascribed to them. In a month by month guide he describes using detailed star maps the night skies of both the northern and southern hemispheres. He also takes a look at the planets, the Sun and the Moon and their eclipses, comets, meteors, as well as aurorae and other celestial phenomena - all in accessible scientific detail. Astronomy is for everyone, and even with just the naked eye, it can become a fascinating and rewarding hobby for life. Review by Kalahari.net The Practical Astronomer's Deep-Sky Companion The Practical Astronomer's Deep-sky Companion is an essential item of equipment for deep-sky observers, whether they are interested in imaging or just sightseeing. This large-format full-colour book is designed to be taken out into the field during observing to provide essential detailed, concentrated information for finding and imaging interesting deep-sky objects. Organised by constellation, each spread features the most interesting objects, with images, information, position, locator maps, recommended exposure times for telescopes of various apertures, and much more! Review by Kalahari.net Hands-On Astronomy: A Cambridge Guide to Equipment and Accessories There is a vast range of astronomical equipment currently available to the amateur astronomer. This handbook presents the variety of telescopes, binoculars and accessories on the market, to help the amateur make an informed choice when buying equipment. All selection criteria are taken into account, including level of experience, budget, and observation site. Indispensable to those with a passion for practical astronomy, this handbook will help the complete beginner making his first purchase, and provide advice for the more experienced amateur wishing to upgrade his equipment. Review by Kalahari.net The Cambridge Photographic Guide to the Planets The Cambridge Photographic Guide to the Planets contains a selection of the latest and most interesting images of the planets, moons, comets and asteroids of our Solar System. The book begins with a general introduction to the planetary system, its origin and evolution. Each subsequent chapter is devoted to a different planet or solar system body, and contains a comprehensive introduction to the body, and its moons and rings where relevant. This is followed by a selection of carefully chosen images from planetary missions, with explanatory captions. The author provides an authoritative description of what these images reveal and the puzzles that they pose for scientists. This photographic guide will be of interest to anybody with a fascination of the planets, from the amateur to the professional astronomer. Review by Kalahari.net Simple Stargazing A first-time skywatcher's guide from bright new talent, BBC Blue Peter astronomer, Anton Vamplew Most books on stargazing claim to be for beginners, but by page 12 are talking about celestial equators and sidereal months. No wonder so many people have planispheres but no idea how to use them. Working at the planetarium in Greenwich, Anton has met hundreds of enthusiastic but utterly bemused beginners of all ages, and has made sense of the night sky for them. In this book he introduces the night sky just as if he were by your side, pointing everything out. And contrary to popular belief, you don't need any expensive equipment to start skygazing. Anton takes you through all the things you can discover with just the naked eye. The book is suitable for use in the northern and southern hemispheres - two sections give equal coverage to where to start and what you can see wherever you are in the world, whenever. Review by Kalahari.net The Amateur Astronomer This 2000 Edition of Sir Patrick Moore's classic book has been completely revised in the light of changes in technology. Not only do these changes include commercially available astronomical telescopes and software, but also what we know and understand about the universe. There are many new photographs and illustrations. Writing in the easy-going style that made him famous as a writer and broadcaster, Sir Patrick introduced astronomy and amateur observing together, so that his reader gets an idea of what he is observing at the same time as how to observe. Almost half the book is Appendices. These are hugely comprehensive and provide hints and tips, as well as data (year 2000 onwards) for pretty well every aspect of amateur astronomy. This is probably the only book in which all this information is collected in one place. Review by Kalahari.net Guide to Stars and Planets This is a new edition of Sir Patrick Moore's practical and popular "Guide to Stars and Planets". This latest edition has been updated with new information from the Cassini mission to Saturn and the Huygens lander on Titan, the Mars Express orbiter and the Spirit and Opportunity rovers on Mars' surface, and Deep Impact's encounter with a comet. Philip's "Guide to Stars and Planets" provides all the information you need to study the night sky with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope. It includes a detailed Moon map and a complete atlas of the constellations, and is suitable for observers in both the northern and southern hemispheres. A straightforward and comprehensive handbook, it opens with chapters on the Moon, the Sun, the planets, the stars and galaxies, as well as information on astrophotography, telescopes and an explanation of the apparent movement of the night sky. The second section of the book comprises a full set of constellation maps, created by renowned celestial cartographer Wil Tirion. The book concludes with a comprehensive glossary, and timelines of astronomy and space exploration. Review by Kalahari.net
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