Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series

Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series Springer-Verlag London Ltd. Other titles in this series Telescopes and Techniques (2nd Edn.) Chris Kitchin The Art and Science of CCD Astronomy David Ratledge (Ed.) The Observer's Year PatrickMoore Seeing Stars Chris Kitchin and Robert W. Forrest Photo-guide to the Constellations Chris Kitchin The Sun in Eclipse Michael Maunder and Patrick Moore Software and Data for Practical Astronomers David Ratledge Amateur Telescope Making Stephen F. Tonkin Observing Meteors, Comets, Supernovae and other Trans ient Phenomena Neil Bone Astronomical Equipment for Amateurs Martin Mobberley Tran sit: When Planets Cross the Sun Michael Maunder and PatrickMoore Practical Astrophotography JeffreyR. Charles Observing the Moon Peter T. Wlasuk Deep-Sky Observing Steven R. Coe AstroFAQs Stephen F. Tonkin The Deep-Sky Observer' s Year Grant Privett and Paul Parsons Field Guide to the Deep Sky Objects Mike Inglis Choosing and Using a Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope Rod Mollise Astronomy with Small Telescopes Stephen F. Tonkin (Ed.) Solar Observing Techniques Chris Kitchin Observing the Planets Peter T. Wlasuk Light Pollution BobMizon Using the Meade ETX Mike Weasner Practical Amateur Spectroscopy Stephen F. Tonkin (Ed.) More Small Astronomical Observatories Patrick Moore (Ed.) Observer's Guide to Stellar Evolution Mike Inglis How to Observe the Sun Safely Lee Macdonald Astrono mer's Eyepiece Companion Jess K. Gilmour Observing Comets N ick Jam es and Gerald North Observing Variable Stars Gerry A. Good Visual Astronomy in the Suburbs Antony Cooke Mike Inglis With 288 Figures (including 20 in color) Springer Or Michael O. Inglis, FRAS State University of New York, USA British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Inglis, Mike, 1954- Astronomy of the Milky Way The observer's guide to the northern Milky Way. - (Patrick Moore's practical astronomy series) 1. Milky Way 1. Ti tle 523.1'13 ISBN 978-t -852.}}-709-4 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Inglis, Mike, 1954- Astronomy ofthe Milky Way/Mike Inglis. p. cm. - (Patrkk Moore's practical astronomy series) Include! bibliographical references. Contents: pt. 1. The observer's guide to the northern Milky Way pt. 2.The observer's guide to the southern Milky Way. ISBN 978-1-85233-709-4 ISBN 978-0-85729-368-8 (eBook) 001 10.1007/978-0-85729-368-8 1. Milky Way. 1. Title.ll. Series. QB981.1452003 523.!'I3-dc21 2003050548 Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as pcrmitted under Ihe Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be repro duced, stored or transmitted, in any form OT by any means, with the priOT permission in writing ofthe publishers, or in Ihe case of repro graphk reproduction in 3eeordancc with tbe terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. Enquiries concern ing reproduc tion outside those terms should bc sent to the pubtishers. Patrick Moore's Practicat ASlronomy Series IS5N 1617-7185 ISBN 978-1-85233-709-4 hltp://www.springer.co.uk C Springer-Verlag London 2004 Originally publishcd Springcr-Vcrtag London Limitcd 2004 The use of registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication doc! nOI imply, even in the absence of a s pecific statement, Ihat such names are exempt from the relevant laws and regulations and Ihere fore free for general use. The publisher makes no representation, express or implied , with regard to the accuracy of the information containe<l in this book and (an noI accept any legal responsibility or tiability for any errors or omissions that may be made. Observing the Sun, along with a few other aspect! of astronomy. can be dangerous. Nei lher tbe publisher nor the aulbor accept any legal responsibility or liabilily for personal loss or injury caused, or alleged to have been caused, by any inform alion or rccommendation conlained in this book. Typesel by EXPO Holdings, Malays ia 58/3830-543210 Printed on acid-free paper SPIN 10861212 Dedicated to the Astronomers of the Bayfordbury Observatory, University of Hertfordshire, past, present and future Preface Sometime during the last century when I was a boy, I remem ber looking at the night sky and being amazed at how bright and spectacular the Milky Way appeared as it passed through the constellation of Cygnus. It was an August Bank Holiday in the UK, and so, naturally, it was cold and clear. I may have looked at the Milky Way several times before that momentous evening but for some reason it seemed to stand out in a way it never had before. It was then that I began to observe the Milky Way as an astronomical entity in its own right and not as just a collection of constellations. It was also about that time that I had an idea for a book devoted to observing the MilkyWay. Fast forward a few years to a fortuitous meeting with John Watson, the astronomy editor of Springer-Verlag, who listened to my idea about a Milky Way book, and agreed that it would be a good idea. So I began, writing down notes and traveling the world, but at the same time observing hitherto uncharted regions of the sky (for me anyway!) and delighting in the new wonders it presented. After what seemed like an age, the book was completed, and you hold the finished product in your hands. However, along the route I have been helped and guided by many people, both astronomers and nonastronomers, and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for taking part in what was a long-cherished labour oflove. Firstly, my pub lisher, John Watson, whom I mentioned above and who has overseen the project from initial idea to completed book, and without whose help this book would never have seen the light of day. His knowledge of publishing and its many aspects is impressive. Add to this the fact that he is also an amateur astronomer himself, and you have a potent combination. I have also been fortunate to have the company and friend ship of amateur and professional astronomers worldwide, who freely gave advice and observational anecdotes that have subsequently appeared in the book. Amateur astronomers are a great bunch of people and none more so than Michael Hurrell and Don Tinkler, fellow members of the South Bayfordbury Astronomical Society. Their companionship has been a godsend, especially when life and its many problems seemed to be solely concerned with preventing me from ever finishing the book. Thank you, chaps! I have also had the good fortune to be associated with many fine professional astronomers, and so I would like to vii viii Astronomy of the Milky Way especially thank Bob Forre st of the University of Hertfordshire Observatory at Bayfordbury for teaching me most of what I know about observational astronomy. Bob's knowledge of the techn iques and application of all things observational is truly impressive, and it has been an honor to be at his side many time s when he has been observing. Furthermore, I must mention Chris Kitchin , lain Nicolson, Alan McCall and Lou Marsh, also from Bayfordbury, for not only teaching me astronomy and astrophysics, but for instill ing in me a passion to share this knowledge with the rest of the world! I am privileged to have them all as friends. Several nonastronomy colleagues have also made my day to-day life great fun, with many unexpected adventures and Jolly Boys' Outings, and so it is only right and proper that the guilty be named - Bill,Pete, Andy and Stuart. However, astronomy and the writing of books is, shall we say, only a meteor-sized concern , when compared to the cos mological importance of one's family. Without their support and love - especi ally when I was writing a book - pat ience and understanding, I would never have completed the project. Firstly,I must thank my partner and companion Karen, as we whiz together through space on our journey toward s the constellation Hercules. Her patient acknowledg ment that astronomers are strange people and that some times astronomy is the most important subject in the universe has made my life a wonder. At times , when it seemed as if I would never finish the book, and the road ahead looked bleak and cloud- covered, she would come into the study with a cup of tea, a Hobnob and a few gentle words of encouragement, and suddenly all was well with the world. Thank you, Cariad. Then there is my brother Bob. He is a good friend and a great brother and has been - and amaz ingly, still is - supportive of all I have tried to achieve . Finally, I want to thank Marn , who has been with me all the way, even from before I saw the Milky Way in the garden in St Albans. She tells me that she always knew I would be an astronomer, and that it comes as no surprise to her to know that her son still spends a disproportionate amount of time standing outside in the cold and dark in the dead of winter and the middle of the night! To all who have helped me become an astronomer and who make my life a lot of fun, many thanks, and don't forget the best is yet to come. Dr Mike Inglis St. Albans, Hertford shire, UK and Lawrenceville, New Jersey, USA August 2003 Arrangement of Book 1 During the course of writing this book, it became very appar ent that it was going to be big - too big in fact to be totally contained within a single volume! This would have negated the premise of it being an observing guide that would and should be used at the telescope, not counting the cost of such a large book.

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