Astronomers and students interested in studying the Sun require a thorough understanding of the proper techniques and equipment. Safety precautions are paramount, as the intensity of the heat and light can instantly blind the untrained observer. In this book, Kitchin provides all the information needed for safe observation as well as novel techniques that will make solar observation a rewarding experience.

Inhalt

1 The Sun - What to See and Why.- Beginnings.- Sunspots.- Sunspot Cycle.- Limb Darkening, Granulation and Faculae.- Limb Darkening.- Granulation.- Faculae.- Narrow Band Observations.- Chromospheric Network.- Prominences and Filaments.- Flares.- Eclipses.- 2 General Telescopic Observing Techniques.- Full Aperture Filters.- Filter Basics.- Telescope Basics.- Full Aperture Solar Filters.- Projection.- Telescopes.- Binoculars.- Other Approaches.- Reflection.- Solar Diagonals.- Sextants.- Optimising Your Telescope.- Diffraction.- Aberration.- Optics.- Seeing.- Stray Light.- 3 White Light Observing.- Sunspots.- Limb Darkening.- Granulation.- Faculae.- 4 Recording Your Observations.- Drawing.- Photography.- Projected Images.- Full Aperture Filters.- Magnified Imaging.- Conventional Cameras.- CCD Cameras.- Image Processing.- Data Reduction.- Image Enhancement.- Video Cameras.- 5 Observing Programmes.- The Sunspot Cycle.- Active Regions.- Solar Rotation.- 6 Unaided Observations.- Projected Images.- Filters.- Full Aperture Filters.- Welder's Goggles.- 7 Eclipses.- Eclipses.- Eclipse Expeditions.- Naked Eye Observing.- Binoculars and Telescopes.- Visual Observations.- Imaging.- Photographic and Digital Cameras.- Astronomical CCD Cameras.- Video Cameras.- Shadow Band Imaging.- Observing Programme.- Specialist Instrumentation.- Radial Density Filters.- Slitless Spectroscopes.- Transits.- 8 Specialist Instruments.- Narrow Band Filters.- H? Filters.- Lyot Monochromators.- Spectroscopy.- A Spectroscope.- Prominence Spectroscope.- Spectrohelioscope.- Coronagraph.- Solar Telescopes.- 9 Radio Telescopes.- 10 The Limits of Solar Observation.- Magnetic Fields.- Spacecraft.- Solar Oscillations.- Solar Image Gallery.- Appendix 1 Bibliography.- Appendix 2 Equipment Suppliers.- Appendix 3 Web Sites Relating to the Sun.