Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series
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Patrick Moore’s Practical Astronomy Series Other Titles in this Series Navigating the Night Sky Astronomy of the Milky Way How to Identify the Stars and The Observer’s Guide to the Constellations Southern/Northern Sky Parts 1 and 2 Guilherme de Almeida hardcover set Observing and Measuring Visual Mike Inglis Double Stars Astronomy of the Milky Way Bob Argyle (Ed.) Part 1: Observer’s Guide to the Observing Meteors, Comets, Supernovae Northern Sky and other transient Phenomena Mike Inglis Neil Bone Astronomy of the Milky Way Human Vision and The Night Sky Part 2: Observer’s Guide to the How to Improve Your Observing Skills Southern Sky Michael P. Borgia Mike Inglis How to Photograph the Moon and Planets Observing Comets with Your Digital Camera Nick James and Gerald North Tony Buick Telescopes and Techniques Practical Astrophotography An Introduction to Practical Astronomy Jeffrey R. Charles Chris Kitchin Pattern Asterisms Seeing Stars A New Way to Chart the Stars The Night Sky Through Small Telescopes John Chiravalle Chris Kitchin and Robert W. Forrest Deep Sky Observing Photo-guide to the Constellations The Astronomical Tourist A Self-Teaching Guide to Finding Your Steve R. Coe Way Around the Heavens Chris Kitchin Visual Astronomy in the Suburbs A Guide to Spectacular Viewing Solar Observing Techniques Antony Cooke Chris Kitchin Visual Astronomy Under Dark Skies How to Observe the Sun Safely A New Approach to Observing Deep Space Lee Macdonald Antony Cooke The Sun in Eclipse Real Astronomy with Small Telescopes Sir Patrick Moore and Michael Maunder Step-by-Step Activities for Discovery Transit Michael K. Gainer When Planets Cross the Sun The Practical Astronomer’s Deep-sky Sir Patrick Moore and Michael Maunder Companion Light Pollution Jess K. Gilmour Responses and Remedies Observing Variable Stars Bob Mizon Gerry A. Good Astronomical Equipment for Amateurs Observer’s Guide to Stellar Evolution Martin Mobberley The Birth, Life and Death of Stars The New Amateur Astronomer Mike Inglis Martin Mobberley Field Guide to the Deep Sky Objects Lunar and Planetary Webcam User’s Guide Mike Inglis Martin Mobberley (Continued after Index) The Night Sky Companion Tammy Plotner Consulting Editor–Ken Vogt With a Foreword by Terry Mann Tammy Plotner Warren Rupp Observatory, USA 8215 Center Street Caledonia, Ohio 43314 [email protected] Library of Congress Control Number: 2007933079 Patrick Moore’s Practical Astronomy Series ISSN 1617-7185 ISBN-13: 978-0-387-71608-4 e-ISBN-13: 978-0-387-71609-1 Printed on acid-free paper. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC All rights reserved. This work may not be translated or copied in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher (Springer Science + Business Media, LLC, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA), except for brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis. Use in connection with any form of information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed is forbidden. The use in this publication of trade names, trademarks, service marks, and similar terms, even if they are not identified as such, is not to be taken as an expression of opinion as to whether or not they are subject to proprietary rights. Observing the Sun, along with a few other aspects of astronomy, can be dangerous. Neither the publisher nor the author accepts any legal responsibility or liability for personal loss or injury caused, or alleged to have been caused, by any information or recommendation contained in this book. 987654321 springer.com “The best thing that we’re put here for’s to see; The strongest thing that’s given us to see with’s A telescope” … I recollect a night of broken clouds And underfoot snow melted down to ice, And melting further in the wind to mud. Bradford and I had out the telescope. We spread our two legs as we spread its three, Pointed our thoughts the way we pointed it, And standing at our leisure till the day broke, Said some of the best things we ever said. That telescope was christened the Star-Splitter —Robert Frost Star-Splitter (Credit—Joe Orman). Contents Foreword ............................................................. ix Acknowledgments ..................................................... xiii About the Author...................................................... xix Introduction .......................................................... xxi Chapter 1 January, 2008 .......................................... 1 Chapter 2 February, 2008 ......................................... 55 Chapter 3 March, 2008 ............................................103 Chapter 4 April, 2008 .............................................161 Chapter 5 May, 2008 ..............................................211 Chapter 6 June, 2008 .............................................263 Chapter 7 July, 2008 ..............................................311 Chapter 8 August, 2008 ...........................................367 vii viii Contents Chapter 9 September, 2008 .......................................423 Chapter 10 October, 2008 .........................................475 Chapter 11 November, 2008 .......................................527 Chapter 12 December, 2008 .......................................583 Glossary ...............................................................637 Resources ..............................................................661 Index ..................................................................663 Foreword The book you are holding in your hands is one of the best learning and outreach tools you could want for your collection. The Night Sky Companion is full of information about astronomy. Think of how many times you have walked outside, looked at the stars and wondered what new things you could explore. Maybe you are a beginner and you want to learn the basics of stargazing, or perhaps you’re a seasoned sky veteran. Either way, I bet you will see and learn something new each night. I have used Tammy Plotner’s previous books to help plan my outreach programs. Not only do they tell you what you can see in the night sky, just as this book does, but they also explain some of the history and science which has brought us to this point. You will quickly realize astronomy is what you make it. It can be extremely challenging or very relaxing: it’s up to you to decide. With this book, you can use telescope or binoculars of any size—or just kick back under the Milky Way and enjoy the view. It will be your “companion” to help you discover our galaxy. Picture yourself enjoying a warm August night watching the Perseid meteor shower, or seeing the Harvest Moon rise. While the spring holds the promise of bright planets and distant galaxies, there is something to be said about those long, cold winter evenings too! You can spend hours observing and still get to bed before midnight. With each changing season, with every constellation wheeling overhead, Tammy will show you the best of the night sky. The wealth of information here about the Moon will amaze you. Wait until you point a telescope its way and find a specific crater. Suddenly, the lunar terrain takes on a new look. It has a stark beauty which will keep you coming back. ix Ohio Aurora in May (Credit—Terry Mann). Foreword xi Both beginning and advanced amateur astronomers will enjoy this book. There is something for every level of knowledge and any type of astronomical interest—for each night of the coming year. The vivid descriptions and beautiful images presented here will help you see objects more clearly, and Tammy’s insights into what you’re looking at will guide you through your observations. Her intimate knowledge of the sky shines throughout her book. Use this book as a learning tool for yourself and your family. It is a great primer for science students. Don’t let another night fade away, let’s go out and see what it has to offer! Terry L. Mann President, Astronomical League Acknowledgments When one has weighed the Sun in balance, and measured the steps of the Moon, and mapped out the seven heavens, there still remains oneself. Who can calculate the orbit of his own soul? … We are all on our backs in the gutter, only some of us are looking at the stars. —Oscar Wilde Throughout the years, it has been my great pleasure and privilege to know many professional and amateur astronomers. I have been inspired by countless books, magazines, and programs, and have spent years of starry nights at the eyepiece in study. It is a combination of all of these things that makes this book what it is. And makes me who I am. For all of you out there? I thank you. Your support and kind words have made a dream come true. Now let’s thank the people who made it come about... Ricardo Borba Ricardo Borba is an amateur astronomer living in Ottawa, Ontario, and a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Between observing sessions he is an application software engineer at Natural Convergence and his photographic skills are becoming highly acclaimed as they are featured in various publications. www.borba.com xiii xiv Acknowledgments NGC 1579—(Credit—R. Jay GaBany). Alan Chu As a resident of Hong Kong, Alan might joke that the Moon is all he has to observe due to light pollution, but Alan’s work is no laughing matter. He has produced one of the finest amateur Photographic Atlases of the Moon available and it is a great honor to include his fine photography in these pages. www.alanchuhk.com John Chumack