Care of Astronomical Telescopes and Accessories: A Manual for the Astronomical Observer and Amateur Telescope Maker (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) [Paperback]

M. Barlow Pepin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 185233715X | ISBN-13: 978-1852337155 | Publication Date: November 5, 2004 | Edition: 1st Edition.

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 are 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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "Internationally known amateur author Pepin has produced a useful manual for both the beginning and experienced telescope user and/or maker. His descriptions … are so clear that they should be mandatory reading for anyone thinking of purchasing a new or used telescope. … Practical hints for many aspects … are detailed and clear. The book is profusely illustrated with drawings and images. Several appendixes … add to its value. … Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers; professionals." (M.-K.Hemenway, CHOICE, Vol. 42 (9), May, 2005)

Product Details

• Paperback: 268 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1st Edition. edition (November 5, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 185233715X
• ISBN-13: 978-1852337155
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,151,595 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #72 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Astronomy & Space Science > Telescopes

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not living up to the expectations, April 24, 2007

By 

Dieter Kuespert (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Care of Astronomical Telescopes and Accessories: A Manual for the Astronomical Observer and Amateur Telescope Maker (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) (Paperback)

The title of this book is: Care of Astronomical Telescopes and Accessories - A manual for the Astronomical Observer and Amateur Telescope Maker. This should make clear what to expect inside the book. Actually it consists of 253 pages and is divided into two main parts, Section I, Optical Equipment and Section II Care and Maintenance, the latter being the topic. So actually only about 60% of the book do deal with what the title promises, namely Care and Maintenance.
If you buy such book you are most likely already the owner of some astronomical equipment and would like to learn how better to take care of it. So you'll be asking yourself what purpose a 96 page primer on telescopes and accessories serves. What a waste of precious space that could have been used for better information as we will see.
Unfortunately even some basic mistakes are to be found in Section I. For example 1 Ångstrom equals 10-5 cm should in reality be 10-8 cm. Ångstrom is by any means no longer an official standard measure of the electromagnetic wavelength, since quite some time this is expressed in Meters or in the optical range in nm.
It is a bit strange to state: When Amateur Astronomers use the word `Telescope' they refer to the complete set from tripod foot to optical tube assembly. I never found this in any of the forums or elsewhere.
The name of Abbe is permanently written incorrectly as Abbé. This should not happen to an author who claims to have vast experience.
Quite a few incorrect sentences can be found like Dolland and his son and Peter. Speaking of John and Peter Dolland and their work, it is definitely necessary to mention that they did not pay tribute to Hall's work even though they had great profit from that.
The hints on Point of Purchase checks are useful but missing any reference to Yahoo Groups or similar forums where a wealth of information can be found before and after purchase.
A new mathematical procedure can be found: Divide by half. That should of course read ...by two. A division by half equals a multiplication by two.
The references to certain pictures should be made at least like see figure 3.12 and not see Chapter 1. To make live easier the page number would be quite helpful. It seems the author took it rather easy as there are even some incorrect cross-references.
It seems the author has never heard about carbon fiber as a well established material for optical tubes. At least he claims that some makers are experimenting with it. Also the fact that a white surface reflects better than a black one is mistaken as better cooldown for white tubes.
Some interesting recommendations are given in Section II, the 60% of the book dealing with the topic. Breath cleaning as well as cleaning with rainwater are being recommended in different cases. While breath cleaning is not a good idea due to the pollution by grease and even smoke particles in the case of smokers and rainwater is no replacement to demineralized water since acid rain is well known worldwide except to the author.
What size does an 8 Penny coin have? It seems to be a well known dimension to the author. The Antoniadi scale for seeing is used by most observers in Europe according to the author. I'd like to know what experience he really has. Even in Europe the Pickering scale is being used.
Don't misunderstand me here, the book gives some detailed information on care of telescopes and equipment. It could be done much better, however, by replacing the Section I on optical equipment basics with lots of pictures and drawings about how things are performed correctly. By drawings I do not mean the sketches by the author showing telescopes in general as kind of an artist's impression without relevance to the subject.
The general impression of the book? You can get the same and actually better information through the internet and from forums as well as from many manufacturers of astronomical equipment. I am happy I only borrowed this book. It did by no means live up to the expectations.

5.0 out of 5 stars You need this book, November 20, 2010

By 

Webmaster - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Care of Astronomical Telescopes and Accessories: A Manual for the Astronomical Observer and Amateur Telescope Maker (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) (Paperback)

I met Barlow at an astronomical meeting, and he impressed me with his knowledge and skills. I restore antique telescopes, and even though I am very meticulous, I learned a few techniques from Barlow. This book is full of tips and techniques on caring for you new or old telescope and equipment. It even has guidelines for buying used equipment. I would recommend this to any astronomer.

4 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best, from the Best, November 17, 2004

By 

Sam Sundquist (Seattle, Washington, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Care of Astronomical Telescopes and Accessories: A Manual for the Astronomical Observer and Amateur Telescope Maker (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) (Paperback)

I cannot specifically review this book, as I have not yet read it. I can, however, "review" the author, so to speak. Mr. Pepin was my uncle, until his unexpected and tragic recent passing. Throughout his life, he always amazed me with both his wealth of astronomical knowledge and his adeptness at working with, and even constructing his own, telescopes. This combination of intellectual and physical skill have now resulted in this great volume, just released posthumously. It is ironic that my uncle first embraced astronomy when the death of his own mother prompted him to look heavenward. Now, in his death, he inspires us to look heavenward as well. I have observed, and I believe he would agree, that if we cannot with our eyes look upon Heaven, at least we can gaze at the heavens.