Galaxies present a unique challenge to town dwellers. Amateur astronomers can't use narrowband filters to shut out light pollution or use ordinary techniques as they would in dark, open fields. As one can imagine, this discrepancy with light means not everyone who looks up at the night sky is capable of seeing all it has to offer. What a shame!

Author Jane Clark, however, has spent two years going down blind alleys trying to get a technique to work to combat the amateur astronomer's biggest enemy, light pollution. In this book, you will discover the fascinating variety of galaxies: spirals, ellipticals and irregular galaxies, often sculpted by gravity as they encounter one another in the vastness of space. You will also learn how to image them, as well!

While the most decent images pick up background galaxies 10-20x as far, each containing billions of stars, that's just the local universe! This book will help you observe for yourself right in your own backyard, allowing you to get a sense of the sheer vastness of the universe.

Presents methods that work for photographing galaxies in and around cities and towns Introduces readers to the fascinating, mind-blowing world of galaxies and how to photograph them Shows how to exploit the latest technology in astrophotography as well as new advancements made over the last few years

Autorentext

Jane is a PhD-qualified professional engineering physicist, now retired, and an incorrigible amateur astronomer. She has her own backyard observatory with two telescopes and an up-to-date collection of cameras. She loves to share her passion, and gives frequent talks to astronomical societies and other organizations. After several years specializing in the Solar System, she has become fascinated by galaxies, often reading so much about them that it's a wonder she has any eyes left! Jane is also the Author of three Springer Books: Measure Solar System Objects and their Movements for Yourself! (as J. D. Clark), Viewing & Imaging the Solar System: A guide for Amateur Astronomers, and Calculate the Orbit of Mars! An Observing and Historical Challenge.

Klappentext

Galaxies present a unique challenge to town dwellers. Amateur astronomers can't use narrowband filters to shut out light pollution or use ordinary techniques as they would in dark, open fields. As one can imagine, this discrepancy with light means not everyone who looks up at the night sky is capable of seeing all it has to offer. What a shame! Author Jane Clark, however, has spent two years going down blind alleys trying to get a technique to work to combat the amateur astronomer's biggest enemy, light pollution. In this book, you will discover the fascinating variety of galaxies: spirals, ellipticals and irregular galaxies, often sculpted by gravity as they encounter one another in the vastness of space. You will also learn how to image them, as well! While the most decent images pick up background galaxies 10-20x as far, each containing billions of stars, that's just the local universe! This book will help you observe for yourself right in your own backyard, allowing you to get a sense of the sheer vastness of the universe.

Inhalt

Chapter 1: How we became aware of galaxies.- Chapter 2: Telescopes: requirements.- Chapter 3: Imaging basics: digital cameras, specialist and not.- Chapter 4: Finding galaxies.- Chapter 5: Low Hanging Fruit: the galaxies near Ursa Major.- Chapter 6: The big galaxy city between Leo and Virgo: the Virgo Cluster.- Chapter 7: The Andromeda galaxy: a whole different challenge.- Chapter 8: Supernovae: Exploding stars that briefly outshine whole galaxies.- Chapter 9: Galaxy collisions the universe in turmoil.- Chapter 10: Extending your reach: using online telescopes.