Measure Solar System Objects and Their Movements for Yourself!

Clark, John D.

ISBN 10: 0387895604 / ISBN 13: 9780387895604

Published by Springer 2009-03, 2009

About this Item

Seller Inventory # 6666-IUK-9780387895604

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Measure Solar System Objects and Their Movements for Yourself!
• Publisher: Springer 2009-03
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0387895604
• ISBN 13: 9780387895604
• Binding: PF
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Instead of taking somebody's word for it about the basic size and distance statistics for the solar system, this book shows amateur astronomers how to measure these things for themselves. This is an enriching experience for any amateur astronomer - to understand and personally measure some fundamental astronomical quantities and distances.

A basic knowledge of geometry is required, but it is amazing how simple the geometry can be. Readers are led through the geometry as gently as possible - and in a light-hearted way - presuming that most non-academics will have half-forgotten most of their mathematics.

The practical astronomical equipment recommended is no more than a typical commercially-made amateur telescope and a camera of some sort - these days a webcam works very well. Apart from that all the reader will need is access to a computer, the know-how to download free software, and an enthusiasm to expand his knowledge of the basis of scientific astronomy.

About the Author

John Clark holds a Bachelor of Science, first class honors, in Physics, from London University, England, and a Ph. D. in Physics from Warwick University, England. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, and spent two years as a post-doctoral researcher at Case Western Reserve University in the USA. Currently he is Managing Director of Fine R and D Limited. He has been an active amateur astronomer for many years.