Spherical Astronomy [Paperback]

Robin M. Green (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 29, 1985 | ISBN-10: 0521317797 | ISBN-13: 978-0521317795

This is an introductory textbook on spherical and positional astronomy. It is entirely suitable for use by students with no prior knowledge of classical astronomy. At the same time, it is sufficiently comprehensive to make it a useful background reference book for anyone engaged in practical astronomy. The first three chapters sketch essential background: mathematical techniques and coordinate systems. Successive chapters then give treatments of refraction, aberration, stellar parallex, precession, nutation and proper motion. An entire chapter is devoted to astrographic plate measurements. The gravitational two-body problem is solved and applied to solar system dynamics. Novel areas include a full treatment of binary star orbits and two chapters on developments in radio astronomy. Worked examples and problems to be solved by the reader ensure that this is a valuable textbook.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

This introductory textbook assumes no prior knowledge of classical astronomy but is sufficiently comprehensive to be useful as a background reference work. It provides the essential background on mathematical technique and coordinate systems and discusses in detail, refraction, aberration, stellar parallax, precession, nutation and proper motion.

Product Details

• Paperback: 536 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (November 29, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521317797
• ISBN-13: 978-0521317795
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,517,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book on the subject, October 2, 2007

By 

Charles Coldwell "bitdiddle" (Somerville, MA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spherical Astronomy (Paperback)

I am only aware of a few books on the subject of spherical astronomy (which might be summarized as the science of pointing a telescope at an astronomical target). There is the voluminous and technical Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac published by the US Naval Observatory in cooperation with the British Royal Observatory, the dated Textbook on Spherical Astronomy by W. M. Smart first published in 1931, and this book. The first book is not a good introduction to the subject, although it would be considered the authoritative reference by practitioners. The second book is getting quite long in the tooth, although it has gone through at least six editions including one revision by the author of the current book. Then there is this book, which covers the subject using thoroughly modern notation and covers both general and special relativity as they affect the pointing of telescopes, which are missing from W. M. Smart's book. Furthermore, I find the author does very well at explaining the subject at the level of an advanced undergraduate (with the exception of the coverage of general relativity, which requires more background in physics).

So if you are interested in learning how to point a telescope, or you want to understand the derivations of the formulas in the "Explanatory Supplement", this is the book for you.