Meteors and How to Observe Them (Astronomers' Observing Guides) [Paperback]

Robert Lunsford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 10, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0387094601 | ISBN-13: 978-0387094601 | Edition: 1st

The focus of this book is to introduce the novice to the art of meteor observing. It explains in straightforward language how best to view meteor activity under a variety of conditions, regardless of the observer’s location. The observing conditions for each meteor shower are vastly different from each of the Earth's regions and this book would be valuable to any potential observer from Australia to Alaska. The calendar chapters list activity as it occurs throughout the year. The list is limited to showers that the amateur observer can actually see (some sources list radiants that are impossible to observe without photographic or video methods). Not only are the annual showers discussed, but the random sporadic meteor activity is also included for each region. This is important, as there are many more nights throughout the year when the sporadic background will provide more activity than that provided by the annual showers!

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "This guide … contains much useful information for a new comer to meteor observing, especially with regards to practical advice relating to meteor watches. One third of the book covers the major showers … with useful charts included to show the radiant locations and their daily motion. … It is all up to date … . In summary, this is a potentially useful book … ." (Tony Markham, Astronomy Now, July, 2009) "The book is split into two sections. The first concentrates on nine major and 17 minor meteor showers along with variable, daytime and possible new showers. … The second section is a guide that is … well written. It covers everything from how to accurately record your observations for scientific use to tips on making photographic, video and radio observations. If you’re keen on observing meteors or taking your interest further, this book is well worth getting hold of." (Vincent Whiteman, Sky at Night Magazine, August, 2009) "The book is aimed at the beginner in meteor studies, so it quite reasonably has few surprises in its coverage … . Overall, my desire to recommend this book, as one of few commercially-available, introductory, meteor-astronomy texts, is tempered by the flaws which detract from it fully informing its target readership … . newcomers would find much of it useful, and its shower coverage is sufficient to make it a handy work to dip into for more-knowledgeable amateur meteor enthusiasts." (Alastair McBeath, The Observatory, Vol. 129 (1212), October, 2009)

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. Have you ever been on the beach at night, watching the sky overhead, and seen streaks of light against the background of stars? Though many people still refer to these as shooting stars, they are, of course, not stars. They are meteors—small chunks of rock and ice debris from disintegrating comets that are careening through our Solar System and sometimes enter Earth’s atmosphere. Most are so small that they burn up as they enter the atmosphere. These are called meteors. In a meteor shower, many meteors can be seen streaking across the sky in a short time. A few meteors make it through intact and descend to Earth as meteorites. Watching these beautiful streaks of light in the sky can be an exciting pastime, and it can result in some important science. Robert Lunsford explains what meteors are, where they come from, and what happens to them as they whiz through space and enter our atmosphere. He tells how to observe meteors and meteor showers, what equipment to use, what you should look for, where you should look, and much more. Armed with the information in this book and with very little effort and equipment, you can begin your regular search of the heavens right now and join the ranks of those who have made this rewarding pastime a lifetime hobby. Practical Astronomy ISBN 978-0-387-09460-1 springer.com

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Product Details

• Paperback: 207 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1st edition (December 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387094601
• ISBN-13: 978-0387094601
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,173,620 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best publicly available book on the subject, January 19, 2009

By 

Troy Riedel (Williamsburg, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Meteors and How to Observe Them (Astronomers' Observing Guides) (Paperback)

METEORS AND HOW TO OBSERVE THEM is a treasure trove of information that provides the most up-to-date and complete volume of information a meteor shower observer/enthusiast could want. You won't find a better book on this subject on Amazon, guaranteed.

For example, the book starts with a very short introduction - from what meteors are to the definitions of Sporadic Meteors (e.g., random, antihellion, hellion, apex, etc.).

The next several sections cover Major Annual Showers (9), Minor Annual Showers (17), Variable Showers (11) and Daytime/Radio Showers (12).

If that wasn't enough, the latest information & research is presented on potentially new showers - a whopping 19 - that need more study and confirmation.

There is also a chapter on monthly meteor activity (sporadic/random meteors do typically vary month-by-month).

If I were to make one small complaint - and it's very, very minor - it would be that Chapter 8 (of 10 chapters) covers "how to observe" meteors. In my humble opinion, this chapter should have been in the beginning of the book - maybe after the definitions & types of meteors and before the detailed descriptions of individual meteor showers. For inexperienced observers, it seems to me they would want to know "how" to observe before learning "what" to observe. But the bottom-line: all of the information you could ever want or need is here, albeit in a slightly different order than I would have organized it.

Last but not least, the author is quite possibly the most respected American expert on meteors. He is the Coordinator of THE ASSOCIATION OF LUNAR AND PLANETARY OBSERVERS (A.L.P.O.) - METEORS SECTION (check the web site for the latest news & information).

If you are interested in observing meteors - and you're a hobbyist or amateur astronomer - this is the one and only book you need to own.

Note: Serious Meteor Observers, like those who submit detailed observations as scientific data to the AMS or IMO (American & International organizations, respectively), have journals & handbooks that would be a "step-up" from this publication. However, like my title indicates - this book is by far the best publicly available book that I have ever seen on the subject. It's one of, if not the best, title in Springer's "ASTRONOMERS' OBSERVING GUIDE" Series.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Meteors and How to Observe Them - Book, October 8, 2009

By 

William Puckett (Ocean Shores, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Meteors and How to Observe Them (Astronomers' Observing Guides) (Paperback)

This is a very good book on how to observe meteors. The book contains some technical information about the meteor phenomenon and has detailed tables of annual meteor showers. These tables are much more comprehensive than tables that you would find in publications like the "Farmer's Alamanac."

A must buy for meteor lovers!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Guide to "Mother Nature's fascinating Fireworks", June 16, 2009

By 

Busy Bee "Smiley" (Perth, Australia) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Meteors and How to Observe Them (Astronomers' Observing Guides) (Paperback)

Meteors are Mother Nature's fascinating Fireworks, I enjoy them when driving in the countryside away from city lights, and I even plan my flights during Moonless nights and spend the whole flight observing them from the airplane's little window. As for this book, it's simply enjoyable and well presented for amateur astronomers who want to observe Meteors or just read about them. It provides a "summary" of the various types of Meteors and their activities supported by maps and pictures of what to expect; gathered in one little book. References for more complete sources are included at the end of each chapter for those who want more. It's not a book for a novice as it assumes that you have the basic knowledge of how to locate the constellations and navigate your way around the stars. Visual observations of Meteors are fun, a good pair of binoculars for clearer viewing is recommended, many tips exist in the book for an enjoyable experience. With the multitude of books about stars and deep sky objects out there, this one stands out as one of the few references for amateurs about Meteors. Enjoy!!