Volume 1: Instrumentation and Reduction Techniques
edited by Günter Dietmar Roth.
Berlin, Heidelberg
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
1994
(xxiv, 540 pages 153 illustrations, 2 illustrations in color.)
Of Volume 1 --; 1 Introduction to Astronomical Literature and Nomenclature --; 1.1 Astronomy and the Observer --; 1.2 The Astronomy Library --; 1.3 Catalogues and Maps --; 1.4 Almanacs --; 1.5 Reduction of Observations --; 2 Fundamentals of Spherical Astronomy --; 2.1 Introduction --; 2.2 The Coordinates --; 2.3 Time and the Phenomena of Daily Motion --; 2.4 Changes in the Coordinates of a Star --; 2.5 Problems of the Calendar and Time Zones --; 2.6 The Variability of the Time Systems --; 2.7 Spherical Trigonometry --; References --; 3 Applied Mathematics and Error Theory --; 3.1 Introduction --; 3.2 The Theory of Errors --; 3.3 Interpolation and Numerical Differentiation and Integration --; 3.4 Photographic Astrometry --; 3.5 Determination of the Position and Brightness of Planets and of the Planetographic Coordinates --; 3.6 The Reduction of Stellar Occultations --; References --; 4 Optical Telescopes and Instrumentation --; 4.1 Introduction --; 4.2 Basics of Optical Computation --; 4.3 Imaging Errors --; 4.4 Methods of Optical Testing --; 4.5 Telescope Systems --; 4.6 Telescope Performance --; 4.7 Accessories --; 4.8 Visual Observations --; 4.9 Photographic Plates and Photoelectric Detectors --; 4.10 Services for Telescopes and Accessories --; References --; 5 Telescope Mountings, Drives, and Electrical Equipment --; 5.1 Introduction --; 5.2 Basic Types of Telescope Mountings --; 5.3 General Design Criteria --; 5.4 Static Criteria of Telescope Mountings --; 5.5 Shafts and Bearings --; 5.6 The Foundation and Stability Against Tilting --; 5.7 Joining Elements --; 5.8 Measuring the Stiffness --; 5.9 Telescope Vibrations --; 5.10 Kinematic Aspects of Telescope Mountings --; 5.11 Drives in Right Ascension and Declination --; 5.12 Photoelectric Guiding Systems --; 5.13 Adjust Elements and Telescope Alignment on the Celestial Pole --; 5.14 The Setting Circles and Their Adjustment --; 5.15 Electrical Equipment --; 5.16 Comments on Literature Cited Here and in the Supplemental Reading List --; References --; 6 Astrophotography --; 6.1 Introduction --; 6.2 Cameras and Lenses --; 6.3 General Considerations --; 6.4 Stationary Cameras --; 6.5 Tracking Cameras --; 6.6 Long-Focus Astrophotography --; 6.7 Films for Astrophotography --; 6.8 Advanced Darkroom Techniques --; 6.9 Photographic Limiting Magnitude --; 6.10 Further Reading --; References --; 7 Fundamentals of Spectral Analysis --; 7.1 Introduction --; 7.2 The Theory of Spectra --; 7.3 The Objects of Spectral Studies --; 7.4 Spectroscopic Instruments --; 7.5 The Analysis --; References --; 8 Principles of Photometry --; 8.1 Introduction --; 8.2 Limits and Accuracies of Photometric Measurements --; 8.3 Astronomical Color Systems --; 8.4 The Technique and Planning of Observations --; 8.5 Reduction Techniques --; 8.6 Photometry of Different Astronomical Objects --; Generalities --; 8.7 Construction or Purchase of Receivers and Equipment for Reductions --; 8.8 General Literature on Photometry --; References --; 9 Fundamentals of Radio Astronomy --; 9.1 Introduction --; 9.2 Radio Radiation --; 9.3 Atmospheric Influences --; 9.4 Instrumentation --; 9.5 The Objects of Observation --; 9.6 Tested Observing Systems --; 9.7 Amateur Radio Astronomy Groups --; References --; 10 Modern Sundials --; 10.1 Introduction --; 10.2 The Equinoxial Dial --; 10.3 Horizontal Dials and Vertical East-West Dials --; 10.4 The Vertical Deviating Dial --; 10.5 Designs for Higher Accuracy --; References --; 11 An Historical Exploration of Modern Astronomy --; 11.1 Introduction --; 11.2 The Heliocentric System --; 11.3 Evolution of the Theory of Motions --; 11.4 Cataloguing the Stellar Sky --; 11.5 Astrophysics --; 11.6 Stellar Evolution and Stellar Systems --; 11.7 Observations at Invisible Wavelengths and Space Exploration --; 11.8 Research in Historical Astronomy --; References --; 12 Astronomy Education and Instructional Aids --; 12.1 Introduction --; 12.2 Formal Astronomy Education --; 12.3 Facilities and Services Available to Schools and the General Public --; 12.4 Educational Resources in Astronomy --; References --; Appendix A: Educational Resources in Astronomy --; A.1 Planetariums, Museums, and Exhibits --; A.2 Observatories and Research Laboratories --; A.3 Astronomical Societies and Clubs --; A.4 General List of Sources for Mechanical Models and Exhibit Items --; A.5 General List of Sources for Audio-Visual Aids --; A.6 Telescopes and Observing Equipment --; A.7 Printed Materials --; Supplemental Reading List for Vol. 1.
The Compendium of Practical Astronomy is a revised and enlarged English version of the fourth edition of G. Roth's famous handbook for stargazers. In three volumes 28 carefully edited articles, aimed especially at amateur astronomers and students and teachers of astronomy in high schools and colleges, cover the length and breadth of practical astronomy. Volume 1 contains information on modern instrumentation and reduction techniques, including spherical astronomy, error estimations, telescope mountings, astrophotography, and more. Volume 2 covers the planetary system, with contributions on artificial satellites, comets, the polar aurorae, and the effects of the atmosphere on observational data. Volume 3 is devoted to stellar objects, variable stars and binary stars in particular. An introduction to the astronomical literature and a comprehensive chapter on astronomy education and instructional aids make the Compendium a useful complement to any college library, in addition to its being essential reading for all practical astronomers.