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Astronomy is by far the most popular of the physical sciences, enticing enough to become a major cultural preoccupation for many, and for some an enthralling scientific activity which veritably rules their lives. What is the nature of that seemingly unstoppable attraction? In this lively and compelling account, William Sheehan – professional psychiatrist, noted historian of astronomy, and incurable observer - explores the nature of that allure through the story of man's visual exploration of the planets. In this volume, the first of a trilogy, Sheehan starts with observational astronomy’s profound and lasting effect on his own life, setting the points of embarkation for the journey to come. He travels across the historical landscape seeking the earliest origins of man's compulsion to observe the planets among the hunter gatherers of the upper palaeolithic, and traces the evolving story from the planetary records of the earliest cities, to Pharonic Egypt through to Hellenistic Greek astronomy culminating in Ptolemy. The necessity to observe played its part in the perceptual changes wrought by the Copernican revolution, as well as the observational advances achieved by such extraordinary characters as Tycho with his sharpest of eyes, and his luxurious practice of total astronomy. The two epochal advances published in 1609, both born through planetary observation, namely Kepler's discovery of the true nature of the orbit of Mars and Harriot and Galileo’s observations of the Moon, have a pivotal place in this account. Sheehan weaves a rich tapestry of social and technological settings, patronage and personalities, equipment and skills, cosmologies and goals, motives and compulsions to try to explain why we have observed, and continue to observe, the planets. The compelling text of A Passion for the Planets is enhanced by the specially commissioned planetary artwork of Julian Baum, himself son of a noted planetary observer and historian of planetary observers, and Randall Rosenfeld. A Passion for the Planets will be of interest to all amateur astronomers; active planetary observers; armchair astronomers; those interested in the history of astronomy; the cultural history of science; and astronomical art.

Observations, Astronomical. --- Astronomy—Observations. --- Astronomy. --- Planetology. --- Physics. --- Astronomy, Observations and Techniques. --- Popular Science in Astronomy. --- History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics.

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How many times have you ‘found’ a deep sky object (DSO), ticked it off the list, and moved on, or used the ‘Tour’ function on your GO-TO ‘scope and said, ‘Oh that’s a just a smudge’ or ‘Can’t see it – I’ll move on to the next one.’ If this has happened to you, then this book is for you. It will challenge you to go back to the ‘smudge’ and really look. Can you see the faint wisp or the detail in the southeastern corner? Can you see the small cluster within the cluster? Try to classify the open cluster for yourself. Compare it to the ‘accepted’ Trumpler classification. Whether you have a GO-TO ‘scope or not, this book gets you to rediscover one of the great things that got you into this hobby in the first place – looking through the eyepiece of a telescope. So pack away the DSLR, CCD camera, the guide ‘scope, and laptop and open your pencil case! You’re in for some fun!

Astronomy -- Amateurs' manuals. --- Astronomy -- Observers' manuals. --- Astronomy. --- Science -- Astronomy. --- Astronomy --- Astronomy & Astrophysics --- Physical Sciences & Mathematics --- Astronomical Observatories & Instruments --- Astronomy - General --- Physics. --- Photography. --- Observations, Astronomical. --- Astronomy, Observations and Techniques. --- Popular Science in Astronomy. --- Observations. --- Astronomy—Observations. --- Astronomical observations --- Observations, Astronomical

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ASTRONOMERS’ OBSERVING GUIDES provide up-to-date information for amateur astronomers who want to know all about what it is they are observing. This is the basis of the first part of the book. The second part details observing techniques for practical astronomers, working with a range of different instruments. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We live in a violent universe. The media constantly remind us of the possibility of an object suddenly appearing and hitting Earth. A hit by an asteroid is believed to have spelled the end of the dinosaurs. Such a collision by an object from space could cause another extinction event, if the object were large enough. And such objects are definitely out there. Often called “the vermin of the sky,” asteroids roam our Solar System often unseen. Many have been tracked, and their orbits calculated. But there are still many to be discovered and assessed. Many amateur astronomers are helping in this effort, sometimes even working with professional astronomers, to contribute to our knowledge and avert danger. Some people just enjoying locating these or the dwarf planets, such as Pluto, and then following their paths. Whatever your interest, Asteroids and Dwarf Planets and How to Observe Them will help you get started. It will tell you what you are looking at and why you should look. It will also help you learn how to look. This is definitely an area where amateurs can make a difference. Roger Dymock, in clear, engaging language can help you get started right now!

Asteroids -- Observers' manuals. --- Astronomy. --- Dwarf planets -- Observers' manuals. --- Asteroids --- Dwarf planets --- Astronomy & Astrophysics --- Astrophysics --- Astronomy - General --- Physical Sciences & Mathematics --- Planets, Dwarf --- Minor planets --- Planetoids --- Planets, Minor --- Physics. --- Planetology. --- Observations, Astronomical. --- Astronomy --- Astrophysics. --- Astrophysics and Astroparticles. --- Astronomy, Observations and Techniques. --- Observations. --- Near-Earth objects --- Planetary sciences --- Planetology --- Astronomy—Observations. --- Astronomical observations --- Observations, Astronomical --- Astronomical physics --- Cosmic physics --- Physics

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"Era tempo che un’opera in italiano fosse consacrata interamente alle galassie, spiegando in modo semplice e accessibile a tutti ciò che conosciamo. È quello che è riuscito ad Alessandro Boselli, specialista di formazione stellare nelle galassie, il quale utilizza, oltre alle sue proprie osservazioni, i dati dei satelliti astronomici. L’autore ha saputo mettersi alla portata di un pubblico interessato ma non specialista per spiegare la natura e l’evoluzione delle galassie, e il suo entusiasmo è comunicativo. Il suo libro è magnificamente illustrato da fotografie e da immagini ottenute dai piu grandi telescopi terrestri o spaziali. Queste immagini non sono solamente belle da guardare perché grazie alle spiegazioni che ne sono date ci permettono di capire quello che sono veramente le galassie. Raccomando calorosamente la lettura di questo libro che, partendo da basi molto semplici, ci da una visione completa e attuale degli elementi costitutivi dell’Universo." James Lequeux, Astronomo dell’Osservatorio di Parigi.

Astronomers. --- Dark matter (Astronomy). --- Galaxies. --- Astronomy & Astrophysics --- Physical Sciences & Mathematics --- Astronomy - General --- Astrophysics --- Astronomy. --- Extragalactic nebulae --- Nebulae, Extragalactic --- Physics. --- Astrophysics. --- Cosmology. --- Observations, Astronomical. --- Astronomy --- Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology. --- Astronomy, Observations and Techniques. --- Astrophysics and Astroparticles. --- Popular Science in Astronomy. --- Observations. --- Physical sciences --- Space sciences --- Astronomy—Observations. --- Astronomical observations --- Observations, Astronomical --- Astronomical physics --- Cosmic physics --- Physics

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Star clusters are some of the most beautiful objects in the night sky and are prime targets for observational astronomers as well as astrophotographers. Using some of the newer technologies and larger and more powerful telescopes available today to amateur astronomers, many more of these dazzling groupings of stars can now be located and viewed throughout the year. In this field guide that will help you to decide what to look for and where to look for it, as well as what equipment to use, you will find what you need, whether you are a beginner in the field or an experienced observer. So on the next clear night, take your book and your binoculars or telescope and maybe your camera outside and see what new wonders can be revealed to you. You won’t be disappointed!

Physique. --- Stars -- Clusters. --- Stars. --- Stars --- Astronomy & Astrophysics --- Physical Sciences & Mathematics --- Astronomy - General --- Astrophysics --- Clusters --- Astronomy. --- Clusters. --- Clusters of stars --- Groups of stars --- Star clusters --- Groups --- Popular works. --- Observations, Astronomical. --- Astronomy --- Popular Science. --- Popular Science in Astronomy. --- Astronomy, Observations and Techniques. --- Observations. --- Physical sciences --- Space sciences --- Astronomy—Observations. --- Astronomical observations --- Observations, Astronomical