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Meteors and How to Observe Them Handbook of Practical Astronomy

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Meteors and How to Observe Them Handbook of Practical Astronomy 118 General Science Springer News 8/2008 springer.com/booksellers R. Lunsford, American Meteor Society, Chula Vista, R. Mollise, Mobile, AL, USA G. D. Roth, Icking, Germany (Ed.) CA, USA Choosing and Using the Handbook of Practical Meteors and How to New CATS Astronomy Observe Them Getting the Most from Your Schmidt Cassegrain or Other Catadioptric Telescopes The Compendium of Practical Astronomy is The focus of this book is to introduce the novice unique. The practical astronomer, whether student, to the art of meteor observing. It explains in Choosing and Using the New CATS will super- novice or accomplished amateur, will find this straightforward language how best to view meteor cede the author’s successful Choosing and Using a handbook the most comprehensive, up-to-date activity under a variety of conditions, regardless of Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, which has enjoyed and detailed single guide to the subject available. the observer’s location. The observing conditions enthusiastic support from the amateur astronomy It is based on Roth’s celebrated German language for each meteor shower are vastly different from community for the past seven years. handbook for amateur astronomers, which first each of the Earth‘s regions and this book would be Since the first book was published, a lot has appeared over 40 years ago. valuable to any potential observer from Australia changed in the technology of amateur astronomy. With amateurs and students and teachers of to Alaska. The sophistication and variety of the telescopes astronomy in high schools and colleges particu- The calendar chapters list activity as it occurs available to amateurs has increased dramatically. larly in mind over 10 leading astronomers have throughout the year. The list is limited to showers Computerized SCTs, Maksutov-Cassegrains, and worked under the careful editorship of Günter that the amateur observer can actually see (some most recently Meade’s new and acclaimed Ritchey- Roth to cover all aspects of practical astronomy. sources list radiants that are impossible to observe Chrétiens have come to dominate the market. That without photographic or video methods). Not only means that all amateurs considering the purchase Features are the annual showers discussed, but the random of a new telescope (not only a SCT, and not just Unique handbook type compendium sporadic meteor activity is also included for each beginners) will benefit from this detailed guide. Color illustrations on CD-ROM, rare material region. This is important, as there are many more Choosing the right telescope for particular kinds of All in one from theory to practice nights throughout the year when the sporadic observation (or even for general work) is far from background will provide more activity than that easy – but Rod Mollise gives invaluable advice and From the contents provided by the annual showers! guidance. Why Astronomy (G.D. Roth).- Fundamentals of Spherical Astronomy (M. Gottwald).- Applied Features Features Mathematics and the Computer (M. Gottwald).- Explains what meteors and meteroids are Commercial astronomical telescopes are readily Mountings and Drives (B. Weisheit).- Astropho- Provides necessary expertise in observing available and affordable, but are more complex tography (K.-P. Schröder).- Fundamentals of Spec- meteorsEnables the observer to plan meteor than previously (sophisticated computers are the tral Analysis (G. Rupprecht/R.Häfner).- Principles shower “expeditions” well into the future norm)All amateur astronomers and prospec- of Photometry (H.W. Duerbeck).- Fundamentals Enables observers to produce scientifically tive amateur astronomers will need help choosing of Radio Astronomy (M.J. Neumann/P. Wright).- useful dataProvides contacts with other and understanding these complex new instruments Modern Sundials (F. Schmeidler).- Historical individuals and groups devoted to viewing meteor Exploration of Modern Astronomy (G.D. Roth).- showers Contents The Social Astronomer (V. Witt).- The Sun (K. Introduction.- What’s a CaT?- Why a CaT [Cata- Reinsch/M. Delfs/E. Junker/P. Völker).- The Moon Contents dioptric Telescope]?- Inside a CaT: the different (G.D. Roth).- Eclipses and Transits (C. Treichel).- Acknowledgements.- An Introduction to Mete- designs.- Which CaT? The Buyer’s Guide.- The Occultations of Stars (C. Treichel).- Artificial Earth orics.- Sporadic Meteors.- Major Annual Showers.- Out-of-Box Experience.-Accessories for Your Satellites (C. Treichel).- Observation of the Planets Minor Annual Showers.- Visible Showers.- CaT.- From That Very First Night: Setup and (G.D. Roth).- Minor Planets (H. Böhnhardt).- Daytime Showers.- New Showers?- Observing Checkout.- Computer-assistance: mastering Comets (H. Böhnhardt).- Meteors (F. Schmei- Meteor Showers.- Meteor Activity Throughout the “go-to”, GPS, and other complications.- The Care dler).- Noctilucent Clouds, Aurorae, and the Year.- Meteor Groups and Organizations.- Meteor and Feeding of a CaT: Maintenance and set-up.- Zodiacal Light (Ch. Leinert). Shower Calendar.- Lunar Conditions for the Major Observing with a CaT: from the Moon to the Annual Showers at Maximum Activity 2008-2040.- Quasars.- The Digital CaT: Deep Sky and Planetary Field of interest Glossary.- Index. Imaging.- Index.- Appendices. Popular Science in Astronomy Fields of interest Fields of interest Target groups Popular Science in Astronomy; Planetology; Extra- Popular Science in Astronomy; Astronomy Amateur astronomers terrestrial Physics, Space Sciences Target groups Discount group Target groups Amateur and practical astronomists T Amateur and practical astronomers Discount group Discount group P T Due September 2008 Due November 2008 Due November 2008 2008. Approx. 230 p. 151 illus. (Astronomers‘ Observing 2009. Approx. 360 p. 92 illus., 19 in color. (Patrick Moore‘s Guides) Softcover 2009. Approx. 915 p. 200 illus. With CD-ROM. Hardcover Practical Astronomy Series) Softcover approx. $34.95 $109.00 approx. $34.95 ISBN 978-0-387-09460-1 ISBN 978-3-540-76377-2 ISBN 978-0-387-09771-8 springer.com/librarybooks Springer News 8/2008 General Science 119 J. R. Smith, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, W. Wells, San Diego, CA, USA UK G. D. Priore, New York University Medical Center, Apocalypse When? New York, NY, USA (Ed.) Calculating the Chances of Human Survival Women‘s Cancers: Pathways to Healing This book will be a key trailblazer in a new and A Patient’s Guide to dealing with Ovarian and upcoming field. The author’s predictive approach Breast Cancer relies on simple and intuitive probability formula- tions that will appeal to readers with a modest knowledge of astronomy, mathematics, and The first goal of the book is to provide the patient statistics. Wells’ carefully erected theory stands on with accurate information. The second goal is to a sure footing and thus should serve as the basis of show how a combination of “orthodox medicine” many rational predictions of survival in the face of and complementary therapies, ranging from natural disasters such as hits by asteroids or comets acupuncture to homeopathy, hypnotherapy, reiki, in the coming years. etc., allow people the best way through their diag- Any formula for predicting human survival will nosis, treatment and follow up. invite controversy. Dr Wells counters anticipated Early chapters apply to all women diagnosed with criticism with a thorough approach in which four cancer, followed by chapters for each specific site lines of reasoning are used to arrive at the same of disease: cervix, ovary, uterus, vulva, breast and survival formula. One uses empirical survival choriocarcinoma. Then follow chapters on chemo- statistics for business firms and stage shows. therapy, radiotherapy, pain management, comple- Another is based on uncertainty of risk rates. The mentary therapies and spiritual approaches. The third, more abstract, invokes Laplace’s principle chapter on bereavement broadens out from matters of insufficient reason and involves an observer’s related to death to the whole process of coming to random arrival in the lifetime of the entity (the terms with one’s diagnosis and treatment - a “must human race) in question. The fourth uses Bayesian read” for all. theory. Features Features Incorporates a useful and novel “4 cusp” Provides a unique analysis of the chances of approach, which has proved very helpful to many human survivability in the short and long term women, both to themselves and also in allowing Develops a formula for survival based on four them to explain to their families where they are in separate measuresGives the numerical esti- the processThe “4 cusp” approach is like a map mates of human survivalSubstantiates analysis for people with cancer with statistical models of similar processes Refutes the existing Doomsday argument From the contents General introduction: Anatomy Overview.- The Fields of interest four cusp approach to cancer care.- General Astronomy; Popular Science in Astronomy; Statis- concepts of surgical management.- Sex, cancer tics for Social Science, Education, Public Policy, and surgery.- Specific chapters relating to one and Law type of cancer: Cervical cancer.- Ovarian cancer (including Fallopian tube cancer).- Endometrial Target groups cancer.- Vulval cancer.- Breast Cancer.- Chorio- Popular science readers carcinoma. Discount group Fields of interest T Popular Science in Medicine and Health; General Practice / Family Medicine; Oncology Target groups Female cancer patients and their families; junior doctors; gynecology clinics; nurses Discount group T Due December 2008 Jointly published with Praxis Publishing, UK Due October 2008 2009. Approx. 200 p. 36 illus., 11 in color. (Springer Praxis 2009. Approx. 205 p. 40 illus. Softcover Books / Popular Science) Softcover approx. $19.95 approx. $29.95 ISBN 978-1-84628-437-3 ISBN 978-0-387-09836-4.
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