Spectroscopy for Amateur Astronomers

Recording, Processing, Analysis and Interpretation

Marc F. M. Trypsteen, Richard Walker

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN:
  9781107166189
• eBook ISBN:
  9781316731109
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Astronomy & Astrophysics

This accessible guide presents the astrophysical concepts behind astronomical spectroscopy, covering both the theory and the practical elements of recording, processing, analysing and interpreting your spectra. It covers astronomical objects, such as stars, planets, nebulae, novae, supernovae, and events such as eclipses and comet passages. Suitable for anyone with only a little background knowledge and access to amateur-level equipment, the guide's many illustrations, sketches and figures will help you understand and practise this scientifically important and growing field of amateur astronomy, up to the level of Pro-Am collaborations. Accessible to non-academics, it benefits many groups from novices and learners in astronomy clubs, to advanced students and teachers of astrophysics. This volume is the perfect companion to the Spectral Atlas for Amateur Astronomers, which provides detailed commented spectral profiles of more than 100 astronomical objects.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title
• Title page
• Copyright information
• Table of contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Chapter 1 Physical Basics of Spectroscopy
• Chapter 2 Electron Transitions and Formation of the Spectra
• Chapter 3 Quantum Mechanical Aspects of Spectroscopy
• Chapter 4 Types and Function of Dispersive Elements
• Chapter 5 Types and Function of Spectrographs
• Chapter 6 Recording of the Spectra
• Chapter 7 Processing of Recorded Spectra
• Chapter 8 Calibration of the Spectra
• Chapter 9 Analysis of the Spectra
• Chapter 10 Temperature and Luminosity
• Chapter 11 Expansion and Contraction
• Chapter 12 Rotation and Orbital Elements
• Chapter 13 Gravity, Magnetic Fields and Element Abundance
• Chapter 14 Analysis of Emission Nebulae
• Chapter 15 Amateurs and Astronomical Science
• Appendix A: Abbreviations, Acronyms and Common Units
• Appendix B: Absolute Magnitudes of Main Sequence Stars
• Appendix C: The Solar Echelle Spectrum: An Aid to Orientation
• Appendix D: Flip Mirror and Calibration Light Source
• References and Further Reading
• Index