Telescopes and Techniques: An Introduction to Practical Astronomy(The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series)

This second - completely revised - edition of Chris Kitchin's easy-to-read book provides a carefully structured introduction to the tools of astronomy. Beginning with an in-depth look at astronomical telescopes, it progresses through a coverage of positions and motions of astronomical objects, to observing instruments and techniques. New to this edition are sections on modern small telescopes and their design, revised material on the computer processing of data, and extended appendices. Like the first edition, questions (with answers) are given so that students and enthusiastic amateur astronomers can check their progress.

Table of Contents:
Preface to the first edition.- Preface to the second edition.- Section 1: Telescopes: Types of Telescope.- Telescope Optics.- Modern Small Telescope Design.- Section 2: Positions and Motions: Positions in the Sky.- Movements of Objects in the Sky.- Telescope Mountings.- Section 3: Observing: Electromagnetic Radiation.- Visual Observing.- Detectors and Imaging.- Data Processing.- Photometry.- Spectroscopy.- Appendix 1: Telescope, Detector and Accessory Manufacturers and Suppliers.- Appendix 2: Bibliography.- Appendix 3: National and Major Astronomical Societies.- Appendix 4: Constellations.- Appendix 5: Answers to Exercises.- Appendix 6: SI and other Units.- Appendix 7: Greek Alphabet.

Review :
From the reviews: "The stated aim of this publication is to introduce aspiring astronomers, be they students or amateurs, to the basic techniques required for using telescopes and accessories and finding objects in the night sky. ... Throughout are numerous black-white drawings which well illustrate the text. ... Exercises appear at the end of each appropriate chapter, the answers to be found at the back of the book. ... a publication which can be confidently recommended to aspiring astronomers setting out on their journey to the stars." (Richard Chambers, The Observatory, Vol. 124 (1181), 2004) From the reviews of the second edition: "Chris Kitchin's updated Telescopes and Techniques is described as '... an introduction for anyone wanting a firm grounding in the essentials of astronomy'. The author has aimed the book primarily for first-year astronomy or physics students ... . The book itself is beautifully presented ... . For the student or armchair astronomer this book is a must have, and a worthwhile investment for more actively minded amateurs who are starting out in astronomy ... . has a place in any budding astronomer's library." (Cameron Jack, Southern Stars, 2004) "In 1995 Chris Kitchin set out to provide an introduction for undergraduates and the interested layman that covered the basic techniques in astronomy ... . This 2nd edition covers a wide range of subjects from types of telescope through visual observing, data reduction and radio astronomy to spectrometry ... . I found his account of 'aberrations' and 'positions and motions' particularly interesting, and it was impressive to see the different types of polarisation summed up so succinctly. ... a book well worth reading." (Grant Privett, Astronomy Now, May, 2004)