"Telescopes and Techniques" has proved itself in its first edition,
having become probably one of the most widely used astronomy texts, both
for numerate amateur astronomers and for astronomy and astrophysics
undergraduates. The first and second editions of the book were widely
used as set texts for introductory practical astronomy courses in many
universities.
This book guides the reader through the mathematics, physics and
practical techniques needed to use telescopes (from small amateur models
to the larger instruments installed in many colleges) and to observe
objects in the sky. Mathematics to around Advanced Placement standard
(US) or A level (UK) is assumed, although High School Diploma (US) or
GCSE-level (UK) mathematics plus some basic trigonometry will suffice
most of the time. Most of the physics and engineering involved is
described fully and requires no prior knowledge or experience.
This is a 'how to' book that provides the knowledge and background
required to understand how and why telescopes work. Equipped with the
techniques discussed in this book, the observer will be able to operate
with confidence his or her telescope and to optimize its performance for
a particular purpose. In principle the observer could calculate his or
her own predictions of planetary positions (ephemerides), but more
realistically the observer will be able to understand the published data
lists properly instead of just treating them as 'recipes.' When the
observer has obtained measurements, he/she will be able to analyze them
in a scientific manner and to understand the significance and meaning of
the results.
"Telescopes and Techniques, 3rd Edition" fills a niche at the start of
an undergraduate astronomer's university studies, as shown by it having
been widely adopted as a set textbook. This third edition is now needed
to update its material with the many new observing developments and
study areas that have come into prominence since it was published. The
book concentrates on the knowledge needed to understand how small(ish)
optical telescopes function, their main designs and how to set them up,
plus introducing the reader to the many ways in which objects in the sky
change their positions and how they may be observed. Both visual and
electronic imaging techniques are covered, together with an introduction
to how data (measurements) should be processed and analyzed. A simple
introduction to radio telescopes is also included. Brief coverage of the
most advanced topics of photometry and spectroscopy are included, but
mainly to enable the reader to see some of the developments possible
from the basic observing techniques covered in the main parts of the
book.
