Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy series

Transcription

1 Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy series Springer-Verlag London Ltd.

2 Other titles in this series The Observational Amateur Astronomer Patrick Moore (Ed.) Telescopes and Techniques Chris Kitchin The Art and Science of CCD Astronomy David Ratledge (Ed.) The Observer's Year Patrick Moore 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 (Ed.) Observing Meteors, Comets, Supernovae and other Transient Phenomena Neil Bone Astronomical Equipment for Amateurs Martin Mobberley Transit: When Planets Cross the Sun Michael Maunder and Patrick Moore Practical Astrophotography Jeffrey R. Charles Observing the Moon Peter Wlasuk Deep-Sky Observing: The Astronomical Tourist Steven R. Coe AstroFAQs Stephen F. Tonkin

3 The Deep-Sky Observer's Year A Guide to Observing Deep-Sky Objects Throughout the Year Grant Privett and Paul Parsons With 171 Figures Springer

4 Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series ISSN ISBN British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Privett, Grant The deep-sky observer's year: a guide to observing deep-sky objects throughout the year. - (Patrick Moore's practical astronomy series) 1.Astronomy - Observer's manuals I. Title Il.Parsons, Paul 522 ISBN Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Privett, Grant, The deep-sky observer's year : a guide to observing deep-sky objects throughout the year / Grant Privett and Paul Parsons, p. cm. - (Patrick Moore's practical astronomy series) ISBN ISBN (ebook) DOI / II. Title. III. Practical astronomy. QB63.P dc Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be sent to the publishers. Springer-Verlag London 2001 Originally published by Springer-Verlag London Limited in 2001 The use of registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher makes no representation, express or implied, with regard to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and cannot accept any legal responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions that may be made. 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. Typeset by EXPO Holdings, Malaysia 58/ Printed on acid-free paper SPIN

5 Acknowledgements GJP would like to thank his father, Peter Privett, for buying the 60 mm refractor in 1970 and his wife Rachel Privett for putting up with the late nights and cold feet. PP would like to thank his local publican that this book is finally finished. He would also like to thank Dominique for helping him emerge from the experience approximately sane. In addition, both authors would like to thank the many people who so kindly allowed us to use their drawings, photographs and CCD images. They are too numerous to mention here individually, but we remain very grateful. Their names appear in the "About the Photo Contributors" section where you can find URLs for some great web pages. We would also like to thank Nick Thompson and Chris Marriott for permission to use the finder charts we generated using SkyMap 3. Finally, we would like to extend special thanks to Owen Brazell, Laurence Hall and Gavin Stacey for kindly reading various early drafts of the book and providing many useful comments. v

6 Contents Part I Preparing for Deep-Sky Observing 1 Introduction Deep-Sky Observing... 7 Binoculars What Do You Need?... 7 U sing Binoculars What Can You Observe with Binoculars? Accessories Telescopes Types Mounts Computer-Controlled Mounts Tube Assemblies Eyepieces Filters Observatories What Can You Observe with a Telescope? 31 Aperture mm Aperture mm Aperture mm What Can You Photograph? What Can You Image with a CCD? Observing Techniques Visual Drawing Photography Films Processing and Printing Improving Films Limitations of Photography CCDs The Limitations of CCDs Selecting a CCD Avoiding Common Mistakes... 49

7 viii Contents 4 The Messier Marathon and Other Pursuits Messier Marathon Supernovae Searches Active Galactic Nuclei and Quasars Variable Nebulae List Observing Star Parties What Are We Looking At? Nebulae Galaxies Galaxy Formation and Evolution Planetary Nebulae Globular Clusters Open Clusters Supernova Remnants Active Galaxies Faint Blue Galaxies Atlases and Other Resources Atlases Atlases - List of Details Other Useful Books and Articles Deep-Sky Objects Telescopes General Observing Guides and Useful Articles Imaging Computer-Based Systems Software Web Sites CD-ROMs Useful Contacts Societies Magazines Part II The Night Sky Month by Month 7 The Star System and Nomenclature January - 08 Hours RA This Month Compulsory Viewing Gemini - Something for Everyone The Lynx Monoceros Canis Major Also Worth a Look

8 Contents ix 9 February - 10 Hours RA This Month Compulsory Viewing The Bear Essentials Cancer The Lynx Leo and Below Also Worth a Look March -l2 Hours RA This Month Compulsory Viewing Leo Ursa Major Coma Berenices The Antennae Also Worth a Look April- 14 Hours RA This Month Compulsory Viewing Virgo Galaxies, Galaxies, Everywhere Into the Whirlpool Also Worth a Look May - 16 Hours RA This Month Compulsory Viewing The Not-So-Barren North Serpens Caput Virgo Again Scorpius Also Worth a Look June - 18 Hours RA This Month Compulsory Viewing Globulars, Globulars, Everywhere The Dragon Ophiuchus Also Worth a Look July - 20 Hours RA This Month Compulsory Viewing Across the Summer Triangle The Dumbbell A Wonderful Sight Teapot Time Also Worth a Look

9 x Contents 15 August - 22 Hours RA This Month Compulsory Viewing Ancient Stars Equuleus - A Waste of Space? The Aquarius Nebulae Capricorn Also Worth a Look September - 00/24 Hours RA This Month Compulsory Viewing Galaxies Abound A Change of Scenery Cepheus Another Change of Scenery Lacerta Also Worth a Look October - 02 Hours RA This Month Compulsory Viewing One of Messier's Finest A Face-On Spiral What, More Galaxies? The Queen A Seyfert Galaxy Also Worth a Look November - 04 Hours RA This Month Compulsory Viewing Cassiopeia The Double Cluster Old Favourites The Giraffe The Crab Nebula Also Worth a Look December - 06 Hours RA This Month Compulsory Viewing So Much to See Into Orion Something Different Turning to Taurus Also Worth a Look Postscript About the Photo Contributors