Many lights and other objects in the sky go unrecognised, or at least are little understood by those observing them. Such things range from the commonplace like rainbows and meteors, to the distinctly unusual like the green flash and ball lightning. And there is still a residuum of objects that remain unidentified by the watcher – classed generally as ‘UFOs’, a description which today has connotations of the mysterious, even of extraterrestrial visitors.

Since the advent of astronomical CCD imaging it has been possible for amateurs to produce images of a quality that was attainable only by universities and professional observatories just a decade ago. However, astronomical CCD cameras are still very expensive, and technology has now progressed so that digital cameras – the kind you use on holiday – are more than capable of photographing the brighter astronomical objects, notably the Moon and major planets.

The CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) has revolutionised optical astronomy during the past 20 years, and specialised astronomical CCD cameras are now even more affordable, colour is standard, and they provide spectacular results. Digital Astrophotography: The State of the Art, provides some examples of the best images, and gives readers hints and tips about how to get the best out of this extraordinary technology.

Commercially-made astronomical telescopes are better and less expensive than ever before, and their optical and mechanical performance can be superb. When a good-quality telescope fails to perform as well as it might, the reason is quite probably that it needs a little care and attention! Here is a complete guide for anyone who wants to understand more than just the basics of astronomical telescopes and accessories, and how to maintain them in the peak of condition. The latest on safely adjusting, cleaning, and maintaining your equipment is combined with thoroughly updated methods from the old masters. Here, too, are details of choosing new and used optics and accessories, along with enhancements you can make to extend their versatility and useful lifetime. This book is for you. Really. Looking after an astronomical telescope isn’t only for the experts - although there some things that only an expert should attempt - and every serious amateur astronomer will find invaluable information here, gleaned from Barlow Pepin’s many years? Experience working with optical instruments.

This series of books is written for serious newcomers to amateur astronomy, for undergraduate students who are studying astronomy - but not as a first subject - and for interested general readers who want to study astronomy in more depth than is provided by the general run of "popular" astronomy book that is found in the general trade bookshops. All the books in the series are as far as possible non- mathematical. They require only a modest background knowledge of science on the part of the reader, but provide material that goes into the various topics in considerable depth and detail. Practical Astronomy thus bridges the gap between the many introductory books and specialized technical publications.

This book is truly unique. It is a book that has become necessary because of advancing computer technology. It outlines the techniques involved in making observational sketches and more detailed ‘scientific’ drawings of a wide variety of astronomical subjects using modern digital equipment; primarily PDAs and tablet PCs. Choosing hardware and software is discussed at the beginning, followed by the techniques involved in amateur astronomers producing finished drawings. Completing and enhancing these drawings at the desktop PC is also covered.

Предлагаемая инструкция предназначена для начинающих и теоретически мало подготовленных любителей. Поэтому мы ограничиваемся лишь описанием изготовления наиболее простого ньютоновского рефлектора со сферическим зеркалом. Однако не следует думать, что такой инструмент не способен дать хороших результатов. Напротив, за исключением тех случаев, где важно большое относительное отверстие или большое поле зрения (например, для наблюдения комет и искусственных спутников), он практически не уступит самому лучшему телескопу. В сравнении же с рефрактором одинакового свободного отверстия он в большинстве случаев окажется лучше.

Астрономический календарь на 2010 год является справочником для любителей астрономии при наблюдениях небесных тел и явлений в 2010 году. Астрономический календарь предназначен для наблюдателей, членов астрономических кружков, любителей астрономии, школьников, студентов, преподавателей школ.

В книге на высоком научном уровне описаны требования к материалам для зеркал, линз и призм, способы разгрузки астрономической оптики, методы шлифовки и полировки, методы контроля и исследования астрономической оптики, а также компенсационный метод исследования асферических зеркал. Книга предназначена для астрономов, оптиков-профессионалов, инженеров-технологов оптических специальностей, работников лабораторий. Книга будет полезна студентам и аспирантам астрономических специальностей университетов, оптических и приборостроительных факультетов втузов. Книгой будут пользоваться участники телескопостроительных кружков, любители астрономии.

Книга посвящена систематическому изложению процессов генерации и распространения электромагнитных волн в космической плазме (межзвездная среда, магнитосфера пульсаров, солнечная корона и пр.) Изложенный в книге материал необходим для понимания процессов излучения радиоволн в космических условиях; без него невозможна интерпретация результатов радиоастрономических исследований. Монография рассчитана на научных работников — астрономов и физиков. Она будет представлять интерес также для студентов и аспирантов, специализирующихся в области физики плазмы, астрофизики и радиоастрономии.