Sun Observer's Guide [Paperback]

Pam Spence (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 7, 2004

A practical day-by-day guide to observing the sun safely.

The Sun Observer's Guide is a practical guide that explains how to safely observe the sun: what to look for and how to record and photograph solar images and eclipses. The book is written in non-technical language and is ideal for novice observers.

Expensive equipment is not essential to observe the Sun, and the necessary safety procedures are easy to follow. The book describes the equipment required to observe the Sun using visible light technologies such as telescopes, binoculars, and simple pin-hole cameras, as well as non-white light devices such as spectroscopes and hydrogen-alpha filters.

How to photograph the Sun is explained in detail and includes:

• Descriptions of the equipment required
• Type of camera to choose
• Which lenses and filters to use
• Recommended exposure times.

A chapter dedicated to solar eclipses explains why they occur, what can be seen and how to observe them safely. Dates of upcoming eclipses are provided. The interaction between the Sun and the Earth is explored in detail - from the obvious (climates and seasons) to the dramatic (magnetic storms and aurora).

The Sun Observer's Guide concludes with a chapter on professional solar astronomy. Amateur astronomers will be fascinated to read about the research that is currently being undertaken and to discover the value placed by professional astronomers on observations made by amateurs. Beautiful images taken by solar spacecraft are displayed here.

The Sun Observer's Guide is an informative and practical introduction to an engaging hobby.

(200506)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Formatted like Firefly's Mars Observer's Guide by Neil Bone (2003), this instructional explains how to safely view the sun and record what one sees, covering the necessary equipment, which can be as minimal as binoculars and cardboard. Like comet hunting, solar astronomy is that rare area of science in which an amateur's observations are useful to professionals, provided the amateur learns a system, which Spence presents, for locating phenomena such as sunspots. As an aesthetic experience, watching the sun has few rivals in the sky, for its appearance always alters and the careful observer can see changes over the course of an hour. But to do so requires properly setting up instruments, filters, or cameras and exercising the utmost precaution to avoid looking directly at the sun; both factors, the right equipment and the importance of safety, are emphasized throughout Spence's guide. Generously illustrated with photographs and diagrams of solar features, the total eclipse among them, Spence's work could inspire would-be sun gazers. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

A practical reference for how and why to view our nearest star... this book can start you making worthwhile observations. (Mark Mortimer UniverseToday.com 20040920)

The right equipment and the importance of safety are emphasized throughout... could inspire would-be sun gazers. (Gilbert Taylor Booklist 20041101)

For both novice and experienced amateurs... very informative and handy to use... perfect gifts for any amateur astronomer. (Duncan Class Pulsar 200607)

Eleven colorfully illustrated chapters give readers technical information on solar observation. (Janet Julian Kliatt )

An ideal starting point for amateur astronomers. (Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin )

A fine 'how-to' book for interested laypersons. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers. (D.E. Hogg Choice )

Excellent guide for amateurs in the astronomy field.... packed with colorful illustrations and charts. (Sue Norman E-Streams )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (August 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552979415
• ISBN-13: 978-1552979419
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #742,839 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ok, May 12, 2007

By 

D. Jones "Delicia1" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sun Observer's Guide (Paperback)

I guess I've been spoiled by Terrence Dickinson's books. Anyways, this is an informative book. I would have liked it better if the book was bigger; the font was at least 12 (instead of 10) and more pictures and labeling. But still a great book if you're trying to learn more about the sun.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great primer on solar observations, January 29, 2011

By 

pghskier - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sun Observer's Guide (Paperback)

This is a nice compact book for first time sun observers. There are lots of basic solar facts using descriptive illustrations and supporting calculations. This book is especially useful for those wanting to chart sunspots. The book is small enough to take on those solar outings. I could have used this book while performing those solar observation experiments in college.