This is a book in a new series designed for practical amateur astronomers who not only want to observe, but want to know the details of exactly what they are looking at. Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system, and the only one with a spectacular ring system that is easily visible from Earth. It is a gas-giant, a huge world dominated by its rings and a retinue of moons and is probably the most commonly observed and imaged planet for amateur astronomers, because it is always changing - the moons move visibly in the course of an hour, the weather systems on the planet change, and the orientation of the ring alters this way and that. The concept of the book - and of the series - is to present an up-to-date detailed description (part one); and then (part two) to consider how best to observe and record the planet, its moons and its ring system succesfully.

Autorentext

In addition to his professional research that has appeared in various technical journals, for over twenty-five years Julius has written extensively on the subjects of lunar and planetary astronomy. He has also mad considerable contributions to the existing literature on methods and techniques for making visual observations of the Moon and planets with various astronomical instruments and accessories. For many years his articles have appeared in Sky and Telescope, Astronomy, Journal of the British Astronomical Association, Journal of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, Star and Sky, and elsewhere. He has also published comprehensive A.L.P.O. observing manuals on Saturn, Venus, and the Moon so that enthusiasts all over the world could plan and execute useful research programs. Julius has frequently been a guest speaker at local and national astronomical gatherings and his efforts as a liaison between amateur and professional planetary scientists has helped improve the significance of A.L.P.O. observational work.

Klappentext

Saturn is the second largest planet in the solar system, and the only one with a spectacular ring system easily visible from Earth. Julius Benton's Saturn and How to Observe It provides a compendium of the latest information, amateur and professional images of Saturn. These images are followed by advice on how to observe Saturn using a variety of telescope apertures, color filters and magnifications. This text is a goldmine of information for all levels of amateur observers, from the beginner to the highly experienced.

Brought to life by crisp color photographs, Saturn and How to Observe It is a modern comprehensive review of Saturn as a planet and its magnificent ring system. The book includes some of the latest detailed theories and physical descriptions of Saturn and its satellites.

The techniques for observing Saturn are outlined in this book, giving the reader a thorough explanation of what they are viewing.

Zusammenfassung
I received my ?rst telescope, a 60 mm (2. 4 in) Unitron refractor, as a surprise Christmas gift from my father when I was 10 years old,and over the next several years, I spent countless hours exploring the heavens, seeking out virtually every celestial object I could ?nd with this small aperture. I consider myself quite for- nate to have been blessed with a dark,unobstructed observing site for most of my childhood,unlike many of my astronomical friends who were always trying to get to a remote location away from city lights to do worthwhile deep-sky observing. I only had to carry my telescope and star charts just a few feet away into my backyard. By the time I entered high school,the night sky had become a delightfully fam- iar place. I had tracked down virtually all of the galaxies,nebulae,and star clusters within reach of my little instrument,and I split most of the double stars that were theoretically possible with its exquisite optics. Eventually,I earned suf?cient funds working part-time jobs (and saving school lunch money) to purchase a premium 10. 2 cm (4. 0 in) refractor, another Unitron that I quickly put through its paces, once again surveying my favorite deep-sky objects. Despite the fact that I could see all of them much better with increased aperture,I soon recognized how virtually changeless they were, so I started expanding my observational pursuits.

Inhalt
Saturn as a Planet.- Telescopes and Accessories.- Factors that Affect Observations.- Visual Impressions of Saturn's Globe and Ring System.- Drawing Saturn's Globe and Rings.- Methods of Visual Photometry and Colorimetry.- Determining Latitudes and Timing Central Meridian Transits.- Observing Saturn's Satellites.- A Primer on Imaging Saturn and Its Ring System.