Digital electronic imaging devices allow the wonders of the universe to be seen in detail never before possible from an amateur astronomer’s backyard. This book clearly examines how to create the best astronomical images possible with a digital camera. It reveals the astonishing images that can be obtained with simple equipment, the right software, and knowledge of how to use it. Completely jargon-free, the book describes how to extract results from the raw-and-dirty original imagery and then transform them into high-quality pictures suitable for framing, posting online, or sharing with friends and colleagues.

Astronomy with a Budget Telescope, 2nd Edition is a complete introduction to buying and using a low-cost amateur astronomical telescope. It provides essential hints and tips about what to look for when buying on a budget - the best are now excellent value, but they all lack an astronomer's advice about setting them up and using them. Astronomy with a Budget Telescope was first published in 2003, since then technology has moved on substantially. The main factors are first the availability of fairly inexpensive computer-controlled "go-to" telescopes which after setting up can automatically locate any celestial objects with reasonable accuracy. Second, digital cameras have now almost completely displaced "wet" film cameras, and some of them are particularly well-suited to astronomical use. Third, prices are down and quality is up! This new edition is revised and extended to include using a low-cost "go-to" telescope - there are various pitfalls to be avoided - and how this class of instrument can make amateur astronomy more accessible to those with limited time at their disposal. It also discusses the new breed of mid-range digital cameras that include powerful on-board processing and image enhancement software that used to be available only to people with advanced astronomical CCD cameras. Finally, there are detailed reviews and test reports on some of the budget telescopes that are available on Main Street and by mail order.

This book presents the amateur with fine examples of astronomical sketches and step-by-step tutorials in each medium, including pencil, pen and ink, chalks and pastels, painting and computer graphics programs. This unique book can teach almost anyone to create beautiful sketches of celestial objects by following simple, illustrated, step-by-step instructions. Readers can select a chapter related to their preferred class of object, and rapidly learn techniques in several media. Each chapter contains useful information regarding equipment, techniques for preserving and archiving sketches, and suggestions for accurate record keeping.

As a casual read through any of the major amateur astronomical magazines will demonstrate, there are filters available for all aspects of optical astronomy. This book provides a ready resource on the use of the following filters, among others, for observational astronomy or for imaging: Light pollution filters Planetary filters Solar filters Neutral density filters for Moon observation Deep-sky filters, for such objects as galaxies, nebulae and more Deep-sky objects can be imaged in much greater detail than was possible many years ago. Amateur astronomers can take photographs that rival those of professional observatories! The ability to do this has been brought about by the revolution in CCD cameras and improved filters. The book pinpoints which astronomical objects are best observed with which filters. Post-processing (using Photoshop) is also discussed, since it is helpful in further improving filtered astro images. The last part of the book is an observational guide to 100 deep sky objects that benefit from the use of filters – all personally observed by the author – with notes on the filters used (or potentially of use) in their observation and imaging. There are also notes on their celestial coordinates, magnitudes and other pertinent information.

Computers and Astronomy Perhaps every generation of astronomers believes that their telescopes are the best that have ever been. They are surely all correct! The great leap of our time is that computer-designed and machined parts have led to more accurately made com- nents that give the astronomer ever better views. The manual skills of the craftsman mirror grinder have been transformed into the new-age skills of the programmer and the machine maker. (The new products did not end the work of craftsman te- scope makers, though. Many highly skilled amateur/professional opticians cont- ued to produce good-quality mirrors that are still seen today. ) Amateur-priced telescopes are now capable of highly accurate tracking and computer control that were once only the province of professionals. This has greatly increased the p- sibilities of serious astronomy projects for which tailor-made software has been developed. Add a CCD camera to these improved telescopes (see Chap. 3), and you bring a whole new dimension to your astronomy (see Fig. 1. 1). Look Before You Leap! But first, a word of caution. Unless you are already familiar with astronomy and basic telescopes, it is not wise to start spending large amounts of money on a we- featured telescope. Such an instrument might otherwise be subsequently abandoned due to a perceived overcomplexity coupled with a waning interest.

This book is for amateur astronomers who want to go beyond the Messier objects, concentrating on one of the most beautiful classes of astronomical object. It describes over 100 nebulae personally observed by the author using telescopes of various sizes.

Guide to Observing Deep-Sky Objects is an invaluable reference for all amateur astronomers. The book contains, for each constellation, (1) a star chart showing the Bayer labels, (2) a table for many of the stars in the constellation, along with their positions and magnitudes, and (3) a table of the major deep-sky objects in the constellation, with relevant observational data. Facing pages provide unique year-long graphs that show when the constellation is visible in the sky, which allows the user to quickly determine whether a given constellation can be seen, and when the best time to see it will be.