Observing Comets, Asteroids, Meteors, and the Zodiacal Light (Practical Astronomy Handbooks) [Hardcover]

Stephen J. Edberg (Author), David H. Levy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 25, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0521420032 | ISBN-13: 978-0521420037

If you are an amateur astronomer, and comets, asteroids, meteors, and the zodiacal light are your quarry, then this is the book for you. Comet observers can learn how to make visual estimates of brightness and size, and how to make photographic studies of cometary heads and tails. Asteroid hunters will find a "life list" of objects and guidelines on how to search for them and then how to photograph or electronically image them. Practical photographic and electronic methods for studying meteors and meteor showers are provided. Visual and photographic techniques show you how to examine the often elusive zodiacal light. The more adventurous are provided with advanced techniques on how to make successful astrometric, spectroscopic and electronic observations. David Levy is the author of The Sky: A User's Guide (CUP, 1991). Both authors have had asteroids named after them.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...it could convince most people that observing comets. asteroids, meteors, and the zodiacal light can be fun." David W. Hughes, Sky & Telescope

"...this book fills a void and serves as a guide to solar sustem debris...will be useful to beginning and advanced observers alike." Astronomy

"...Edberg and Levy guide the beginner every step of the way, never taking anything for granted. But though they start simple, they take you as far as you could want to go...if you are interested in astronomy you can start simple and work your way up to professional standard. This is an excellent place to start on that road." John Gribbin, New Scientist

"This collaboration is a comprehensive reference and guide to exactly what the title suggests. Even those not engaged in systematic observation will find the book clarifies how observations are conducted. This is an excellent addition to libraries, for it will be consulted every time any of these phenomena command attention." Griffith Observer

Book Description

When can you see fireballs and who should you contact if you spot one? When is it best to hunt for comets and meteors and whereabouts? How do you gauge the size of the coma in the head of a comet and estimate its degree of condensation? Clear and easy to use, this guide shows you how to make successful and valuable observations and records of comets, asteroids, meteors and the zodiacal light. For each topic the historical background and current scientific understanding support a wealth of observational techniques. Comet observers are shown techniques for search and discovery. They can learn how to make visual estimates of brightness and size, and how to make photographic studies of cometary heads and tails. Asteroid hunters will find a 'life list' of quarry and guidelines on how to search for these objects and then how to photograph or electronically image them. Fruitful photographic and electronic methods for studying meteors and meteor showers are provided. Visual and photographic techniques show you how to examine the often elusive zodiacal light. The more adventurous are provided with advanced techniques on how to make successful astrometric, spectroscopic and electronic observations. This is rounded off with an invaluable list of centres world-wide to contact with your details of unusual sightings.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 259 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (November 25, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521420032
• ISBN-13: 978-0521420037
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,206,910 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Eurika I found it! Finally the right way to send in a a report on comets, asteroids, and meteors, December 4, 2010

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Thomas Erickson (Lutz Fl and Felt Oklahoma) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Observing Comets, Asteroids, Meteors, and the Zodiacal Light (Practical Astronomy Handbooks) (Hardcover)

Stephan J Edberg and David H. Levy have wrote an excellent 5 star book. I've read other works by David Levy also 5 stars. Impressed with his work with the Shoemakers and the multi section Comet Shoemaker-Levy9 that crashed into Jupiter.( I miss Gene and deeply regret the tragic accident that took his life and badly hurt his wife Caroline...another great Comet finder). Gets you thinking if that puppy would of hit Earth, it would of been an extinction event and lights out for man.

This book is great. So much useful information. It gives a little history of comets and asteroids and their composition. Of real importance to me is the reason to keep accurate records and the proper data needed to submit your possible new comet or asteroid sighting. Information on astrophotography on comets, asteroids and meteors. I'm not into plate blinking or film but there's information on the use of CCD cameras. Also what parts of the sky are best for finding comets and asteroids and the best times to watch. Also to keep as accurate UTC time as possible. Lots of good comet and asteroid pictures some by Stephan Edberg. Great work by Edberg. Also how and where to send it.

Parts of the book were heavy into math equations but with the use of a good scientific trig calculator I guess the reader would be OK if you want to get that deep.

Also a telegram service for speed to report your finds for others to verify. Hey, you might be able to have your name on a comet as a new discoverer and add important information for the scientific community.Also lots of more detailed information specialties like Astrometry, Spectroscopy and Photometry and more.

The part my family enjoys the most is the section on watching meteors. The book tells proper ways of giving observing time to a number of people and having them watch only a certain area of the sky and having others watch another area and having a logger or groups of observers and more than 1 logger. I liked the simple technique of using a simple supermarket plastic clicker to count the meteors in a 1 hour period. I bought an inflatable LoungeAir chair( read my review 5 stars) to spread out and lay on it and watch the Sky...The 2 kids and wife like watching for meteors on vacation especially during the regular published Meteor showers.

Then the authors go into the Zodiacal light and ways of observing and plotting it. I have often seen it and wondered about it. Right now I have enough on my plate but maybe someday I'll get more interested in the Zodiacal Light.

Decades ago, twice I saw strange "blurs" in areas I previous observed dozens and dozens of times. I though maybe they were comets. I did not have the correct data collecting and did not know how and where to send information. Turns out both were new Comets. Others sent in the correct data and were the official discoverers. They deserved it. If I had the right data to send in and knew where to send it, I may have been the discoverer. No big deal but I'll always remember that.

I've seen dozens of asteroids, but again lack of the correct data collecting and of course no reporting. After reading this book that will stop. Now accurate records, the right data and I know how and where to report.

Just want to say thanks to Stephan J Edberg and David Levy for getting me closer up to speed on observing comets and asteroids. This is a great book with just the right information. No way was I going to pay the full price for this book so I got it used n good condition for very little. 5 stars for anyone interested in observing and reporting about comets, asteroids, meteors and the Zodiacal Light.