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Choosing and Using a New CAT: Getting the Most from Your Schmidt Cassegrain or Any Catadioptric Telescope (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series)
 
 
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Choosing and Using a New CAT: Getting the Most from Your Schmidt Cassegrain or Any Catadioptric Telescope (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) [Paperback]

Rod Mollise (Author)
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)

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Book Description

December 12, 2008 0387097716 978-0387097718 1
Choosing and Using the New CAT will supersede the author’s successful Choosing and Using a Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, which has enjoyed enthusiastic support from the amateur astronomy community for the past seven years. Since the first book was published, a lot has changed in the technology of amateur astronomy. The sophistication and variety of the telescopes available to amateurs has increased dramatically. Computerized SCTs, Maksutov-Cassegrains, and most recently Meade’s new and acclaimed Ritchey-Chrétiens have come to dominate the market. That means that all amateurs considering the purchase of a new telescope (not only a SCT, and not just beginners) will benefit from this detailed guide. Choosing the right telescope for particular kinds of observation (or even for general work) is far from easy – but Rod Mollise gives invaluable advice and guidance.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "This book covers a huge subject: catadioptric telescopes. … It’s an invaluable resource describing what equipment is available, including Schmidt-and Maksutov-Cassegrains and their Newtonian variants. … Mollise includes details of brands such as Sky-Watcher and Orion Optics, increasing the book’s value to a wider audience. … overall this is an enjoyable and very informative book … ." (Steve Richards, Sky at Night Magazine, September, 2009) “If you frequent online discussion areas for astronomical assistance or amusement, you’ve no doubt seen a message or 20 from ‘Uncle Rod’ Mollise. … His latest book tackles one of his favorite subjects: the compact … powerful catadioptric telescope (a ‘CAT’), which comes in Schmidt-Cassegrain, Maksutov, and Ritchey-Chrétien configurations. … Mollise walks you through everything you need to know about these scopes … you can make an informed decision to buy one and operate it effectively.” (Sky & Telescope, April, 2009)

From the Back Cover

Catadioptric telescopes (CATs), such as the Schmidt Cassegrains, are increasingly popular with today’s amateur astronomers and are capable of showing even the novice observer thousands of beautiful deep space wonders. Modern CATs, though, have become increasingly reliant on computers. This allows them to automatically point to and track celestial objects, making astronomy more accessible to more people than ever before. Unfortunately, because of the high-tech nature of these telescopes, selecting one and learning how to use it is often a difficult experience for stargazers both old and new. That’s where Choosing and Using the New CAT comes in. This book guides even the most greenhorn astronomer past the pitfalls encountered on the path to enjoying the beauties and mysteries of the universe. Here you will learn not just which telescope is right for you but how to set up, operate, and maintain the most complex and electronics-laden CAT. There are plenty of tips for keeping the new CAT happy and working correctly, and there is even guidance on advanced applications, such as hooking computers to CATs and using these telescopes to take gorgeous pictures of planets and deep space objects. This book gives readers the benefit of the author’s thirty-five years experience using and enjoying catadioptric telescopes and solving the problems that inevitably crop up. If you dream of owning a telescope or are frustrated by the telescope you already own, this is the book for you!

Product Details

  • Paperback: 345 pages
  • Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (December 12, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0387097716
  • ISBN-13: 978-0387097718
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #527,587 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"Uncle" Rod Mollise is familiar to amateur astronomers as the author of numerous books and magazine articles on every aspect of astronomy. He is most well-known, however, for his books on SCTs; especially his latest one, _Choosing and Using a New CAT_ (Springer), which has become the standard reference for these popular instruments.

Rod's previous book, _The Urban Astronomer's Guide_ was designed to help the many amateurs who must do most of their observing from light polluted urban and suburban backyards enjoy the deep sky, and has proven to be very popular with both novice and veteran astronomers.

Rod's writings can also be found in astronomy magazines including _Sky and Telescope_, Amateur Astronomy Magazine, Astronomy Technology Today, and on numerous online forums including his website, Rod's Astro Land:

http://skywatch.brainiac.com/astroland

Uncle Rod is an engineer by profession, but he also finds time to teach astronomy to undergraduates at the University of South Alabama in Mobile.

When he's not on the road speaking at star parties and astronomy clubs, Rod shares a rambling old Victorian home,"Chaos Manor South," in Mobile's historic Garden District, with his wonderful wife, Dorothy, three cats and, at last count, twelve telescopes.

Customer Reviews

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Great book for SCT beginners January 30, 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am familiar with "Uncle" Rod Mollise's writing from several astronomy websites he owns or is a member of. Most deal with the type telescope known as the "SCT", short for Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope.
He is an acknowledged guru of this scope type, and I have found his advice to be very good.
If you are just thinking of getting your first SCT, or have already bought one, but are swimming in deep water, this is the book for you. It covers most of the subject matter you would be asking about, and even includes a profile of certain scope makes and models, plus a section on eyepieces and accessories to use in them. I highly recommend this book.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
the comprehensive CAT guide September 1, 2010
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
this is one of those books that no only expresses but achieves the aspiration to be a classic. for the reader who is relatively new to amateur astronomy generally, or new to the catadioptric (CAT) telescopes specifically, this book is as essential and useful as "norton's star atlas", "sky atlas 2000" and several deep sky observing guides besides.

although every chapter title is a play on the acronym cat ("Care and feeding of a CAT", "Inside a CAT," "Hacking a CAT", etc.) in a way that suggests a limited topic coverage, i found some amusement in trying to find a topic that *is not* discussed in this 335 page guide. collimation? a 5 page discussion. mandatory items, like flashlights or dew heaters? check. the use of a hartman mask for precise focusing? pages 294-95. how to deal with telescope dealers? yep. how to use a dark hood, and the importance of warm feet? it's in there. a review of telescope brands and models, astronomy software and a long list of astronomical dealer and web sites? oh yeah. i did finally stump him: there's no formula to compute an eyepiece true field of view using the star drift method (mollise gives the optical formula instead).

elsewhere i gave a negative review of another CAT volume in the patrick moore series because it nohow lived up to its title. with mollise the circumstances are just the reverse: until you pick up this apparently humble book, you'll have no idea how much useful stuff is in here.

essential reading before you buy a CAT telescope, and very helpful reading for every night that you use a telescope, no matter what kind it is.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a no-nonsense book that tells all. Telescope brands by name are compared, giving strengths and weaknesses. Techniques for success are described in detail. The author leaves nothing to guesswork. He evens covers the psychology of making the commitment to become an amateur astronomer. If it is not for you, do not make the financial investment. It is rare to fined as balanced a guide, especially considering the scope (so to speak) of the topic. Very highly recommended. (And the basis for MY financial commitment for a hobby to last me the rest of my life.)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent book about SCT telescopes
When I decided to take the plunge and buy a serious telescope, I wasn't really sure which one would be the best for me and what I wanted to do. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Randall Krippner
Good Book Crashes on Xoom
I am enjoying the book but I'm frustrated by it crashing on my Xoom. This happens at the table of contents and seems to be common to Springer books. Read more
Published 11 months ago by KEVIN
Great source for the SCT beginer user
Found it to be informative, reviews may of the sct's on the market today. It does need to be updated for Celestron CGEM mounts,and Edge HD.
Great source otherwise!
Published 17 months ago by Mark R. Zdziarski
Useful guidance on telescope buuying.
If you are new to astronmy, this book makes a good introduction to the interesting problem of telescope selection. Read more
Published 23 months ago by John Redmond
A Must Read!
I had become familiar with "Uncle Rod's" wealth of experience from his entries on Cloudy Nights forums. Then I discovered his online "Used CAT" guide. Read more
Published on January 15, 2010 by James L. Wise
Very Good guide
This is a very good guide for the persons that are thinking about buying a cat telescope since it covers most of the cats on the market todey. Read more
Published on January 7, 2010 by K. S. Knutsen
sct buyers guide
Excellent overview of the current SCT's available on the market...clear and level-headed advice without bias. Read more
Published on November 1, 2009 by Doug Herren
choosing and using a new cat
What can i say: this book is a must if you have a Schmidt Cassegrain telescope. I found it covered everything i needed to be able to operate my LX90. Read more
Published on September 9, 2009 by G. J. Beazley
MUST HAVE!!!!!!!
If you have a CAT or thinking about getting one.
This book is very well written and has alot of
useful info!!!!
Published on August 16, 2009 by L. Gray
Choosing and Using a New CAT: Gettig the Most from Your Schmidt...
If you want to buy a CAT or already own one this book is fantastic. It is up to date and has a great amount of useful data for the future or current owners of these... Read more
Published on June 11, 2009 by Trevor R. Klaproth
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
Since you're reading this, I'm guessing you have made an exciting decision: You want a telescope. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
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Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Making Friends, Taking Pictures, Taking Yctures, Taking Ystures, Deep Sky
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
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