Digital Astrophotography: The State of the Art (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) [Paperback]

David Ratledge (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1852337346 | ISBN-13: 978-1852337346 | Publication Date: February 6, 2010 | Edition: 1st Edition.

Provides novice to accomplished amateur astronomers with a firm grounding in the basics and successful use of digital astrophotography. Provides examples of the best images, and gives readers hints and tips about how to get the best out of this extraordinary technology. Experts in CCD astronomy from North America and Europe have contributed to this book, illustrating their help and advice with many beautiful colour images – the book is in full color throughout. Techniques range from using simple webcams to highly technical aspects such as supernovae patrolling. Computer processing, stacking and image-enhancement are detailed, along with many hints and tips from the experts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "This colourful book is yet another addition to the forty-strong library of ‘Patrick Moore’s Practical Astronomy Series’ produced by Springer. … it is a very interesting book and the colour illustrations are excellent and beautifully reproduced. Undoubtedly it will inspire many beginners to find out much more information about astronomical imaging." (Martin Mobberley, Astronomy Now, February, 2006) "This compendium by S&T contributing editor David Ratledge offers a mother lode of practical information for imaging neophytes, but expert sky shooters can pick up a lot of useful tips as well. Its 11 chapters are lavishly illustrated, often in color, and they cover a wide range of techniques … . Ratledge’s ambitious goal of covering ‘the state of art’ is laudable … ." (Edwin Aguirre, Sky & Telescope, March, 2008) "This is certainly a book to inspire. Ratledge has used many of the acknowledged experts in the field, each of whom has written a chapter on their own particular specialisation. … I can thoroughly recommend this book. Many excellent images are included and the reproduction in colour is very good. If you are new to digital imaging it will help you get started. If you are already an ‘expert’ it will inspire you to higher things … ." (Nick James, Journal of the British Astronomical Association, Vol. 116 (4), 2006)

From the Back Cover

Patrick Moore’s Practical Astronomy Series DIGITAL ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY The State of the Art   This book is the successor to David Ratledge’s much-acclaimed The Art and Science of CCD Astronomy. CCD cameras and their associated technologies have continued to make great strides since the original book was first published almost eight years ago, particularly in the universal availability of color cameras and in the dramatically lower cost of equipment. Digital Astrophotography: The State of the Art provides examples of the latest and best images, and describes how to get the best out of this extraordinary technology. Experts in CCD astronomy from North America and Europe have contributed, illustrating their help and advice with many beautiful color images. The techniques explained here range from the use of inexpensive webcams, through to highly technical aspects such as supernovae patrolling. Computer processing, stacking and image-enhancement are also detailed, along with many hints and tips from the experts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1st Edition. edition (February 6, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852337346
• ISBN-13: 978-1852337346
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,919,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Covers a lot of ground, May 19, 2006

By 

G. Cole (Tacoma, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Digital Astrophotography: The State of the Art (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) (Paperback)

Let me start by saying - Do not make this your primary source for information on digital astrophotography. It has a ton of good info for a total beginner like me, but it also leaves out a lot on info.

It has a unique format in that each chapter has a different author (a claimed expert in each field). Some were much better than others. All chapters did a decent job of explaining the process of each kind of technology, but in almost all cases I was left with more questions than answers.

The book did give me a lot of ideas and areas to further research, but I was hoping when I bought it that it would give recommendations for type of equipment to buy and how to use it to get the best results.

BOTTOM LINE -- This book is a great source for info and ideas, just don't assume it will be your only source as it leaves a lot unexplained.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Dissapointing, July 25, 2006

By 

ad_astera (Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Digital Astrophotography: The State of the Art (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) (Paperback)

More like a small coffe table book than a comprehensive treatment of the subject. I expected more detail about How To and less glitsey pictures: Book is filled with " Here's a picture of...." and then a nice color photo. I'm returning this one.
Don

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good reference for particular imaging techniques, June 15, 2009

By 

G. Yanez (Montréal, Quebec Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Digital Astrophotography: The State of the Art (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) (Paperback)

IMHO this book is much better than it is described by earlier reviewers. It is a compilation of articles and it must be understood that way. Readers that are looking for an introductory book may look elsewhere but for those who have at least a very basic idea of astrophotography may find this compilation very useful. Now in 2009, the articles may look outdated and a new verion of this book would be a valuable addition but in the meantime, it is worth having a look at. There are very good articles such as out-smarting light pollution, high resoltion ccd imaging, a brief description of Iris sftware by its developer and the wonderful hybird imaging article written by Robert Gendler who has, in my opinion, imaged the best Orion mosaic I have ever seen.
Bottom line, a must for astrophotographers but beginners should probably start with a book that is aimed at beginners.