PDF-(READ)-Practical Astronomy with your Calculator or Spreadsheet

Now in its fourth edition this highly regarded book is ideal for those who wish to solve a variety of practical and recreational problems in astronomy using a scientific calculator or spreadsheet Updated and extended this new edition shows you how to use spreadsheets to predict with greater accuracy solar and lunar eclipses the positions of the planets and the times of sunrise and sunset Suitable for worldwide use this handbook covers orbits transformations and general celestial phenomena and is essential for anyone wanting to make astronomical calculations for themselves With clear easytofollow instructions for use with a pocket calculator shown alongside worked examples it can be enjoyed by anyone interested in astronomy and will be a useful tool for software writers and students studying introductory astronomy Highprecision spreadsheet methods for greater accuracy are available at wwwcambridgeorgpracticalastronomy. 1. Ancient Astronomy. Many ancient cultures took a keen interest in the changing nighttime sky. The records and artifacts that have survived until the present make that abundantly clear. . 2. Ancient Astronomy. Astronomy as a science began with the Ionian philosophers, with whom Greek philosophy and mathematics also began. While the Egyptians and Babylonians had accomplished much of astronomical worth, it remained for the unrivalled speculative genius of the Greeks, in particular, their mathematical genius, to lay the foundations of the true science of astronomy. In this classic study, a noted scholar discusses in lucid detail the specific advances made by the Greeks, many of whose ideas anticipated the discoveries of modern astronomy.Pythagoras, born at Samos about 572 B.C., was probably the first to hold that the earth is spherical in shape, while his later followers anticipated Copernicus with the then-startling hypothesis that the earth was not the center of the universe but a planet like the others. Heraclides of Pontus (c. 388–315 B.C.), a pupil of Plato, declared that the apparent daily rotation of the heavenly bodies is due, not to a rotation of the heavenly sphere about an axis through the center of the earth, but to the rotation of the earth itself around its own axis. Secondly, Heraclides discovered that Venus and Mercury revolve around the sun like satellites. Perhaps the greatest astronomer of antiquity was Hipparchus, who flourished between 161 and 126 B.C. He compiled a catalog of fixed stars to the number 850 or more, made great improvements in the instruments used for astronomical observations, and discovered the precession of the equinoxes, among other accomplishments. The astronomy of Hipparchus takes its definitive form in the Syntaxis (commonly called the Almagest) of Ptolemy, written about A.D. 150, which held the field until the time of Copernicus.The extraordinary achievements of these and many more Greek theorists are given full coverage in this erudite account, which blends exceptional clarity with a readable style to produce a work that is not only indispensable for astronomers and historians of science but easily accessible to science-minded lay readers. For anyone artistically inclined, observing the Moon and attempting to sketch or paint it can easily become a passion. The Moon presents a broad array of tone, texture, and form. Capturing this in a painting or sketch at the eyepiece of a telescope - or even with binoculars - develops observational skills, leaves a record of the observation, and can also be a delightful and rewarding pastime. However, the choice of media available is extensive (acrylic paint, oils, pen, charcoal, etc., and even computer art programs), and there is no existing text that fully explains all lunar sketching and painting techniques in each respective medium. This beautiful and graphically rich book fulfills this requirement. It presents detailed step-by-step instructions, in the form of illustrated tutorials for every major medium employed to represent the Moon. It also provides practical advice on how to sketch outdoors at night (not ideal conditions for an artist!).This is easily the most extensive book on the subject of lunar art for amateur astronomers, particularly those observing through a telescope. The diverse features of the lunar surface will attract and entice readers to review the number of different media presented, exciting and inspiring them with the possibilities of learning to depict all of the fascinating aspects of Earth\'s very own satellite. Stargazing: Photographs of the Night Sky from the Archives of NASA is a photographic collection of the night sky\'s most extraordinary phenomena.These images from the archives of NASA reveal stunning photos of the cosmos, from radiant aurora borealis to awe-inspiring lunar eclipses.Complete with a preface by Bill Nye, this collection of photographs perfectly captures the wonder of looking up at the night sky.• Each breathtaking photo is paired with an informative caption about the scientific phenomena it reveals and the technology used to capture it• Beautiful on display on the coffee table• A go-to gift for both serious and casual stargazersThis collection of photographs illuminates the darkness of space in a whole new way.Blending art and science, the magnificent images of Stargazing captures the imagination of anyone interested in astronomy, travel, photography, and space exploration.• The only book from NASA that focuses solely on the night sky• A perfect gift for space lovers, stargazers, science geeks, scientists, parents, students, recent graduates, photographers and photography lovers, and NASA fans• Great for those who loved Earth and Space: Photographs from the Archives of NASA by Nirmala Nataraj, Infinite Wonder: An Astronaut\'s Photographs from a Year in Space by Scott Kelly, and The Hubble Cosmos: 25 Years of New Vistas in Space by David H. Devorkin and Robert W. Smith Comprehensive, authoritative coverage of interferometric techniques for radio astronomy In this Second Edition of Interferometry and Synthesis in Radio Astronomy, three leading figures in the development of large imaging arrays, including very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI), describe and explain the technology that provides images of the universe with an angular resolution as fine as 1/20,000 of an arcsecond. This comprehensive volume begins with a historical review followed by detailed coverage of the theory of interferometry and synthesis imaging, analysis of interferometer response, geometrical relationships, polarimetry, antennas, and arrays. Discussion of the receiving system continues with analysis of the response to signals and noise, analog design requirements, and digital signal processing. The authors detail special requirements of VLBI including atomic frequency standards, broadband recording systems, and antennas in orbit. Further major topics include: * Calibration of data and synthesis of images* Image enhancement using nonlinear algorithms* Techniques for astrometry and geodesy* Propagation in the neutral atmosphere and ionized media* Radio interference* Related techniques: intensity interferometry, moon occultations, antenna holography, and optical interferometry Interferometry and Synthesis in Radio Astronomy, Second Edition is comprehensive in that it provides an excellent overview of most radio astronomical instrumentation and techniques. Digital SLR cameras have made it easier than ever before to photograph the night sky. Whether you\'re a beginner, nature photographer, or serious astronomer, this is the definitive handbook to capturing the heavens. Starting with simple projects for beginners such as cameras on tripods, it then moves onto more advanced projects including telescope photography and methods of astronomical research. With 80% revised and updated material, this new edition covers nightscapes, eclipses, using cameras with sky trackers and telescopes, and tools for identifying celestial objects and investigating them scientifically. Image processing is discussed in detail, with worked examples from three popular software packages - Nebulosity, Maxlm DL, and PixInsight. Rather than taking a recipe-book approach, Covington explains how your equipment works as well as offering advice on many practical considerations, such as choice of set-up and the testing of lenses, making this a comprehensive guide for anyone involved in astrophotography. Statistics, Data Mining, and Machine Learning in Astronomy is the essential introduction to the statistical methods needed to analyze complex data sets from astronomical surveys such as the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System, the Dark Energy Survey, and the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope. Now fully updated, it presents a wealth of practical analysis problems, evaluates the techniques for solving them, and explains how to use various approaches for different types and sizes of data sets. Python code and sample data sets are provided for all applications described in the book. The supporting data sets have been carefully selected from contemporary astronomical surveys and are easy to download and use. The accompanying Python code is publicly available, well documented, and follows uniform coding standards. Together, the data sets and code enable readers to reproduce all the figures and examples, engage with the different methods, and adapt them to their own fields of interest.An accessible textbook for students and an indispensable reference for researchers, this updated edition features new sections on deep learning methods, hierarchical Bayes modeling, and approximate Bayesian computation. The chapters have been revised throughout and the astroML code has been brought completely up to date.Fully revised and expandedDescribes the most useful statistical and data-mining methods for extracting knowledge from huge and complex astronomical data setsFeatures real-world data sets from astronomical surveysUses a freely available Python codebase throughoutIdeal for graduate students, advanced undergraduates, and working astronomers There are many books covering different facets of astrophotography, but few of them contain all the necessary steps for beginners in one accessible place. Astrophotography is Easy! fills that void, serving as a guide to anybody interested in the subject but starting totally from scratch. Assuming no prior experience, the author runs through the basics for how to take astrophotos using just a camera?including cell phones and tablets?as well as a telescope and more sophisticated equipment.The book includes proven techniques, checklists, safety guidelines, troubleshooting tips, and more. Each chapter builds upon the last, allowing readers to master basic techniques before moving on to more challenging material. Also included is a comprehensive list of additional books and resources on a variety of topics so readers can continue expanding their skills.Astrophotography Is Easy! doesn’t simply teach you the basic skills for becoming an astrophotographer: it provides you with the foundations you will need for a lifelong pursuit. Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs is a complete guide for amateur astronomers who are looking for a new challenge. After a brief overview of the development of spectroscopes and an introduction to the theory of stellar spectra, the book goes on to examine the various types of spectroscopes available to amateurs. Next, practical sections address all aspects of setting-up and using various types of commercially-available and home-built spectroscopes. A final part gives detailed instructions for the design and construction of three different spectroscopes, along with the necessary design theory (minimal math). The home-made spectroscopes have performance capabilities near or equal to commercial units but are constructed using basic hand tools for a fraction of the cost! This up-to-date practical spectroscopy book will enable amateur astronomers to develop the skills and equipment needed to prepare scientifically acceptable spectra data, and to make a valuable contribution to ProAm projects. In 1996 Meade, the world\'s largest astronomical telescope manufacturer, introduced the ETX, a low-cost and genuinely portable instrument capable of results close to the theoretical limits of optical performance. Since then several different models have been introduced, most of them controlled by on-board computers that automatically point the telescope at objects selected from a database of 12,000. Unfortunately not all these objects are visible when looking through the ETX! (They are included because they can be imaged with special equipment.) Mike Weasner is a world expert on the ETX range, and describes the best 100 objects to start with, and offers hints and tips about using and looking after the telescope to get the best possible results. It’s no secret that this world we live in can be pretty stressful sometimes. If you find yourself feeling out-of-sorts, pick up a book.According to a recent study, reading can significantly reduce stress levels. In as little as six minutes, you can reduce your stress levels by 68%. The Benefits of Reading Books,Most people read to read and the benefits of reading are surplus. But what are the benefits of reading. Keep reading to find out how reading will help you and may even add years to your life!.The Benefits of Reading Books,What are the benefits of reading you ask? Down below we have listed some of the most common benefits and ones that you will definitely enjoy along with the new adventures provided by the novel you choose to read.,Exercise the Brain by Reading .When you read, your brain gets a workout. You have to remember the various characters, settings, plots and retain that information throughout the book. Your brain is doing a lot of work and you don’t even realize it. Which makes it the perfect exercise! The Benefits of Reading Books,Most people read to read and the benefits of reading are surplus. But what are the benefits of reading. Keep reading to find out how reading will help you and may even add years to your life!.The Benefits of Reading Books,What are the benefits of reading you ask? Down below we have listed some of the most common benefits and ones that you will definitely enjoy along with the new adventures provided by the novel you choose to read.,Exercise the Brain by Reading .When you read, your brain gets a workout. You have to remember the various characters, settings, plots and retain that information throughout the book. Your brain is doing a lot of work and you don’t even realize it. Which makes it the perfect exercise!