Telescopes and Techniques: An Introduction to Practical Astronomy (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) [Paperback]

C. R. Kitchin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 2003 | ISBN-10: 1852337257 | ISBN-13: 978-1852337254 | Edition: 2nd

This second - completely revised - edition of Chris Kitchin's easy-to-read book provides a carefully structured introduction to the tools of astronomy. Beginning with an in-depth look at astronomical telescopes, it progresses through a coverage of positions and motions of astronomical objects, to observing instruments and techniques. New to this edition are sections on modern small telescopes and their design, revised material on the computer processing of data, and extended appendices. Like the first edition, questions (with answers) are given so that students and enthusiastic amateur astronomers can check their progress.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "The stated aim of this publication is to introduce aspiring astronomers, be they students or amateurs, to the basic techniques required for using telescopes and accessories and finding objects in the night sky. ... Throughout are numerous black-white drawings which well illustrate the text. … Exercises appear at the end of each appropriate chapter, the answers to be found at the back of the book. … a publication which can be confidently recommended to aspiring astronomers setting out on their journey to the stars." (Richard Chambers, The Observatory, Vol. 124 (1181), 2004) From the reviews of the second edition: "Chris Kitchin’s updated Telescopes and Techniques is described as ‘… an introduction for anyone wanting a firm grounding in the essentials of astronomy’. The author has aimed the book primarily for first-year astronomy or physics students … . The book itself is beautifully presented … . For the student or armchair astronomer this book is a must have, and a worthwhile investment for more actively minded amateurs who are starting out in astronomy … . has a place in any budding astronomer’s library." (Cameron Jack, Southern Stars, 2004) "In 1995 Chris Kitchin set out to provide an introduction for undergraduates and the interested layman that covered the basic techniques in astronomy … . This 2nd edition covers a wide range of subjects from types of telescope through visual observing, data reduction and radio astronomy to spectrometry … . I found his account of ‘aberrations’ and ‘positions and motions’ particularly interesting, and it was impressive to see the different types of polarisation summed up so succinctly. … a book well worth reading." (Grant Privett, Astronomy Now, May, 2004)

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 2nd edition (July 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852337257
• ISBN-13: 978-1852337254
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,742,028 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #58 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Astronomy & Space Science > Telescopes

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Little value for money--not recommended, June 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Telescopes and Techniques: An Introduction to Practical Astronomy (Paperback)

This book leaves much to be desired of it as far as content is concerned. Although all basic--and not so basic--aspects of introductory astronomy are covered here, this is done in an extremely superficial way. Every topic is only touched upon, in most cases, in a couple of pages maximum, giving only a bird's eye view them. The most deficient parts are those dealing with actual observing, about which the author gives very little information. The book is adorned with numerous illustrations, but lacking in text.

James Muirden's "How to Use an Astronomical Telescope" has done a much better job in this respect. Full explanations of where to look and what to find in the sky are given, including full chapters about the sun, the moon, the planets (one by one), comets, and deep sky objects such as galaxies, star clusters, nebulas, etc. Kitchin has done none of this.

But back to "Telescopes and Techniques". One particularly annoying feature of this book is how the editor of this collection has decided to present the text on the pages. Why, oh why, I kept asking myself, should the space of one thrid of each page be left as blank left margin? Longer lines will certainly not harm the reading, but on the contrary will make the reader feel that they have a serious book in their hands, rather than a children's story.

Finally, one must also wonder what justifies the high price of this book. Perhaps, I keep telling myself, it is the high-quality, glossy paper on which it is printed. For the rest, I cannot see any reason why anyone interested in more than just a very superficial introduction to astronomy should by this book.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good intro to the field, May 15, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Telescopes and Techniques: An Introduction to Practical Astronomy (Paperback)

This book is a very good introductory book. It has all you need to know about the history and practical aspects of astronomy. The technical explanations of optics get a bit detailed (i.e., into the math) at times, but are written in such a way that the principles are understood, even if the math isn't. Very good use of photos and illustrations. The author explains well, and doesn't inundate you in details you don't need