Make Time for the Stars - (Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy) by Antony Cooke (Paperback)

About the Book

Many amateur astronomers are short of time and this book showcases a wide array of quickly performed astronomical projects. It includes various novel or new approaches to observing, and there are practical tips for maximizing time at the telescope.

Book Synopsis

Many amateur astronomers are short of time. A full-time career usually takes up most waking hours, and often there simply isn't time for leisurely observing. Fortunately, modern technologies such as computer-controlled telescopes, GPS, north-seeking and level detection, have made telescope set-up much quicker. Today's imaging systems enable astronomers to take excellent astrophotographs without the hours-long exposures. Make Time for the Stars explains what to try on a tight schedule, and how to use today's equipment to get the most astronomy out of the least time.

This book showcases a wide array of quickly performed astronomical projects, including various novel or new approaches to observing. There are also practical tips for maximizing time at the telescope, extracting optimal performance, quick and efficient set-up, and easily carried out optical maintenance. Significantly, the book features detailed information on alternative imaging techniques with simple and less time-consuming efforts.

From the Back Cover

Make Time for the Stars: Fitting Astronomy into Your Busy Life

Antony Cooke

Hungry for an opportunity to study the stars but have little or no time to do it? Then this book is for you!

Perhaps you have a telescope from years ago, which you used a few times, then put it away in a closet, where it has been gathering dust ever since. Could you still use that telescope, or do you have to buy a new one? And what about all the gadgets on the market now? Which ones do you really need? About how much will it all cost you, and what should you look for when you finally have a night out to look?

Antony Cooke will give you those answers, and outline a program for star (and Solar System) gazing that you will be able to fit into your busy life. He tells why it is imperative to get yourself the right equipment from the start (without breaking the bank!) and why he thinks it is important to focus on live viewing rather than fancy gadgetry and imaging techniques. Full of sound advice and lots of encouragement, you will come away from this book prepared to take up your old hobby with new vigor and finally get the pleasure you knew was possible from studying our neighbors in space.

Review Quotes

Aus den Rezensionen: "Der Autor ... stellt ... seine Überlegungen vor, wie man knappe Zeit am Okular optimieren kann. ... Er gibt zahlreiche Tipps zum Optimieren seiner Ausrüstung, damit man später keine Zeit vergeudet oder ein nutzloses instrument enttäuscht in die Ecke stellt. Daher soll man ... komplexe Technik meiden, die schwer in kurzer Zeit zu beherrschen ist. Nach der Auswahl der richtigen Ausrüstung stellt Cooke eine Reihe von einfachen Beobachtungen in unserem Sonnensystem, beginnend beim Mond, vor. ... sehr zu empfehlen aufgrund vieler wertvoller Überlegungen und Erfahrungen ..." (in: Weltraum Facts, 2008, Vol. 15, Issue 4, S. 24)