This book demonstrates the use of an 80mm refractor and shows how it can be used as a real scientific instrument. Following step-by-step instructions users will find many activities and projects suitable for an 80mm refractor or 90mm reflector or Maksutov that have not been published elsewhere. Emphasis is on measurement and discovery activities rather than on casual observing. There are two objectives to these activities: to re-enact the process of discovery and to provide amateur observers with the knowledge and skill that will help them make genuine contributions to the field of astronomy. It is often said that users of small telescopes can conduct worthwhile scientific work, but 'how' is seldom explained except in the context of observations carried out by the most advanced amateur astronomers. This book provides the necessary introduction derived from the author's many years of experience in teaching the subject that will be the starting point for serious work.

Effectively demonstrates the use of an 80mm refractor for more than a "quick look" it can be used as a real scientific instrument Demonstrates the significant observations that can be made with a small telescope Provides clear step-by-step instructions for numerous scientific activities Includes chapters on digital photography of the Sun and Moon The author is an experienced small telescope user, as well as an astronomy educator Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Inhalt
The Celestial Sphere.- The Measurement of Time.- The Equatorial Telescope Mount.- Telescope Considerations.- Astronomical Photography.- The Sun.- The Moon.- The Planets.- Comets and Asteroids.- Visual Binary Stars.- A Binary Star True Orbit Projector.- Visual Observations of Variable Stars.- Photography of Variable Stars.- Star Clusters and Nebulae.- A ColorMagnitude Diagram for The Pleiades.- The Design of an Objective Prism Spectrograph.- The Proper Motion of Barnard's Star.