Double & Multiple Stars, and How to Observe Them [Paperback]

James Mullaney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2005 | ISBN-10: 1852337516 | ISBN-13: 978-1852337513 | Edition: 1st Edition.

Written specially for practical amateur astronomers who not only want to observe, but want to know and understand the details of exactly what they are looking at. Presents an up-to-date detailed description of the objects, their physics and their evolution (part one); and then (part two) to consider how to observe and record them successfully. Delivers a wealth of information for all levels of amateur observers, from the beginner to the experienced; it is equally fascinating for practical astronomers, and also for those who simply want to find out more about these unusual star systems.

Editorial Reviews

Review

James Mullaney's book Double and Multiple Stars and How to Observe Them exceeds what anyone has done with this topic before--by a whole qualitative level or two. Mullaney is one of the world's most experienced observers of double stars and "deep-sky objects." His writing is always clear, accurate and enthusiastic and this book is no exception. Double and Multiple Stars, along with Mullaney's other writings on the topic, may end up almost singlehandedly winning over a new generation of observers to the joy of double-star observing. —Fred Schaaf   ...I can recommend Double and Multiple Stars and How to Observe Them to those who delight in seeing close points of light and those who can imagine the huge variety of suns they represent. —Leif J. Robinson, in Sky & Telescope, October 2006

From the Back Cover

ASTRONOMERS’ OBSERVING GUIDES provide up-to-date information for amateur astronomers who want to know all about what it is they are observing. This is the basis of the first part of the book. The second part details observing techniques for practical astronomers, working with a range of different instruments.   Double and Multiple stars are among the most fascinating astronomical objects. They range from ‘optical binaries’ that can be easily observed with a modest telescope, to distant and complex multiple systems that challenge even professional observers. The first part of Jim Mullaney’s book provides a comprehensive review of the different classes of double and multiple systems, along with a look at the astrophysics of these objects. This is followed by a detailed guide for amateur astronomers, describing how to observe them – using a variety of different techniques – and outlining how to record the observations. In one book, here is all you need to observe double and multiple stars, and to understand the systems you are looking at.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1st Edition. edition (July 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852337516
• ISBN-13: 978-1852337513
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #554,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James Mullaney is an astronomy writer, lecturer and consultant who has published more than 700 articles and eight books on observing the wonders of the heavens, and logged over 20,000 hours of stargazing time with the unaided eye, binoculars and telescopes. Formerly Curator of the Buhl Planetarium & Institute of Popular Science in Pittsburgh, and Director of the DuPont Planetarium at USCA, he served as staff astronomer at the University of Pittsburgh's Allegheny Observatory and as an editor for Sky & Telescope magazine. One of the contributors to Carl Sagan's award-winning "Cosmos" PBS-Television series, his work has received recognition over the years from such notables (and fellow stargazers) as Sir Arthur Clarke, Johnny Carson, Ray Bradbury, Dr. Wernher von Braun, and former student NASA scientist/astronaut Dr. Jay Apt. His 50 year mission as a "celestial evangelist" has been to "Celebrate the Universe!" - to get others to look up at the majesty of the night sky and to personally experience the joys of stargazing. In recognition of his work he has been elected a Fellow of the prestigious Royal Astronomical Society of London. For information on his two professionally-produced, widely-acclaimed DVDs "The Heavens Declare!" and "Celebrating the Universe!", contact him at [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Intro to Doubles Stars, May 19, 2010

By 

EW (KS, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Double & Multiple Stars, and How to Observe Them (Paperback)

When I first saw this book I figured it was too thin to be useful. But I picked it up anyway. In fact, this is a solid introduction to double stars and a useful addition to the library.