A Spectroscopic Atlas of Bright Stars: A Pocket Field Guide

by Jack Martin

Overview

A Spectroscopic Atlas of the Stars: A Pocket Field Guide is a standard reference book for all amateur astronomers interested in practical spectroscopy or spectrography. For the first time in one place, it identifies more than 70 (northern hemisphere) bright stars that are suitable observational targets for both amateurs and astronomy students.

Finder charts are provided for locating these sometimes-familiar stars. Data for each star includes labelled stellar spectra, a spectral profile with spectral lines identified. These are conveniently laid out on a single page, opposite tables of spectroscopic properties, and lines and wavelengths identified.

This is the first Spectral Atlas designed for amateur astronomers. It is equally relevant to college undergraduates, being intended to familiarize astronomers of any age and level of knowledge with labelled stellar spectra and their different properties. It contains much information about stars which is hard to find or inaccessible to most people.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441907042
Publisher:	Springer New York
Publication date:	10/26/2009
Series:	Astronomer's Pocket Field Guide
Edition description:	2010
Pages:	206
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.60(d)

Table of Contents

I.- The Greek Alphabet.- The Periodic Table of Elements.- The Spectral Sequence.- II.- The Star Atlas.- Star Atlas Index.- Stars by Right Ascension.- Other Examples of Stellar Spectra.

Editorial Reviews

From the reviews:

“Published by Springer as part of the Astronomer’s Pocket Field Guide series. … this new series is to ‘provide succinct, targeted information for practical observers.’ and in this regard Jack’s book fits the bill. In 200 pages it covers the subject very well. … This Atlas provides a wealth of data for the beginner in spectroscopy and provides useful comparison spectra for a whole range of stars which are easily visible in the northern hemisphere.” (Ken Harrison, Federation of Astronomical Societies, Vol. 93, Spring, 2010)

“The author has spent many years obtaining the spectra of about 70 of the apparently brightest stars in the Northern Hemisphere, using a 12 inch Dobsonian, a Rainbow Optics transmission grating and a photographic camera using black and white film. … it will be useful to teachers at schools or colleges who would like their students to do some elementary astronomical spectroscopy. The combination of finder charts and spectra for the brightest stars makes it a handy reference for such a purpose.” (E. Norman Walker, Astronomy Now, August, 2010)

“This pocket guide is a noble attempt to introduce practical stellar spectroscopy into backyard star-gazing. Imaging the spectra of bright stars is a hobby which Martin has pursued for many years, and is now offering to share with those who could easily follow … . he devotes a few pages to history and to scientific and technical explanation, with the rest of the book given over to the Atlas itself, displaying his own spectra of 72 stars.” (Elizabeth Griffin, The Observatory, Vol. 130, October, 2010)

From the Publisher