First Light and Beyond Making a Success of Astronomical Observing
Amateur astronomers who have been disappointed by the results of an observing session can still gain useful experience in a seemingly “failed” night at the telescope. In a world with imperfect seeing conditions, incredible observing sessions are often mix
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First Light and Beyond
Making a Success of Astronomical Observing
The Patrick Moore
The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series
More information about this series at http://www.springer.com/series/3192
First Light and Beyond
Making a Success of Astronomical Observing D. A. Jenkins
D. A. Jenkins Spring, TX, USA
ISSN 1431-9756 ISSN 2197-6562 (electronic) The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series ISBN 978-3-319-18850-8 ISBN 978-3-319-18851-5 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-18851-5 Library of Congress Control Number: 2015052629 Springer Cham Heidelberg New York Dordrecht London © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Cover illustration: The Trifid Nebula, courtesy of ESO Printed on acid-free paper Springer International Publishing AG Switzerland is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com)
Preface
You own a telescope because you want to see the universe with your own eyes. Anyone can look up pictures of the universe on the Internet, but you want to personally connect with these beautiful celestial treasures and gain a deeper understanding of what you see. There is something very special about visual observing. Real-time observations at the eyepiece can give us such an ethereal, yet visceral feeling that connects us with our universe in very unique ways. After acquiring their telescope, many have wondered, “Now what?” Time for first light! First light is the moment you turn your telescope optics toward the heavens and take in that first celestial sight through the eyepiece. But then after this moment more questions begin to arise. How can I make the best use of my telescope? What can I see with it? How can I get the most out of my instrument? This book will show the beginner how to make a success of astronomical observing. Beginners today are privileged to live in a time when so many great professional and amateur astronomers have already paved the way for us and provided a fantastic con
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