Planetary Nebulae

An In-Depth Guide to their Physics and Observation
Erscheinungsjahr 2010
ISBN: 978-0-387-34581-9
Verlag: Springer-Verlag New York

Buch, Englisch, 200 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm

Reihe: Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series

Planetary nebulae have been favorite targets of amateur astronomers for a long time. This is at least in part because of their high surface brightness and ability to show visible color.
The popularity of observing planetary nebulae is due to the fact that there are targets amongst this set of objects for observers with small telescopes to those with large telescopes. The use of the nebula filter also means that, unlike galaxies, they can be observed from light polluted environments.
Apart from the classic Messier four – M27, 57, 76 and 97 – there are a many bright NGC planetary nebulae, and even some IC ones that show both colour and structure in average size amateur telescopes. They are popular targets with CCD imagers because their size allows them to fit on the high resolution CCD images now being generated.
Although the theory sections of this book are intended mainly for experienced amateur astronomers, Planetary Nebulae: their Physics and Observation will also appeal to relative newcomers who are keen to learn more about these fascinating objects.
This book is a detailed guide to understanding and observing planetary nebulae. It explains the theories of what planetary nebulae are, their origins and physics, and the history of their discovery. It describes what tools are needed to observe and image them. There is a comprehensive catalog of planetary nebulae with descriptions, drawings and images. Finally, it provides a challenging list of objects for practical amateurs to observe.

Zielgruppe

Popular/general

Autoren/Hrsg.

Brazell, Owen

Fachgebiete

• Naturwissenschaften Astronomie Astronomie: Sachbuch
• Naturwissenschaften Astronomie Galaxien und Sterne

Inhaltsverzeichnis

An introduction to the history of the discovery of planetary nebulae from Messier through Herschel and on through Abell and others to the current H-Alpha surveys (MASH). -What we think planetary nebulae are and where they come from in the stellar evolutionary sequence. -Tools of the Trade. -Current challenges in planetary nebula observing. -A catalogue of observations and drawings/images of planetary nebulae taken by amateurs. -A catalogue of planetary nebulae.

Über Autor(innen)

Owen Brazell has been working in astronomy for almost 35 years, starting with a small refractor and over time working up to his own very large (20-inch) reflector. He holds an honours degree in Astronomy from St Andrews University. He has written a number of articles for Astronomy Now and for the BAA Journal, and for 8 years wrote a quarterly deep sky column for Astronomy Now. He wrote a chapter in Springer’s book on Observing Double Stars (Argyle), as well as a section in Firefly’s Encyclopaedia of Practical Astronomy. He is Assistant Director of the BAA Deep-sky section.