Artificial Satellites and How to Observe Them

This book describes satellites that can be observed without optical aid, including the International Space Station and many spy satellites. The author, Richard Schmude, describes how amateurs can observe and recognize them, and even predict their orbits.

Every amateur astronomer - and many non-astronomers - will be familiar with seeing a "star" that shows that characteristic steady slide across the starry background of the sky. Artificial satellites can be seen any night, and some as bright as the planets. But how many of us can identify which satellites or spent launch vehicle casing we are seeing?

Artificial Satellites and How to Observe Them describes all the different satellites that can be observed without optical aid, including of course the International Space Station and the many spy satellites operated by different nations. Richard Schmude looks at them in detail and describes how they can be observed by amateurs, how to recognize them, and even how to predict their orbits.

Artificial satellites have changed since the beginning of the millenium. Several additional countries have launched them. And amateur astronomers have utilized digital cameras in order to image satellites to a resolution of about three feet. This book describes how to recognize, observe, and image satellites. Examples of recent images and how they were made are given. It also offers up-to-date descriptions of the many satellites that are orbiting the Earth and other celestial bodies. Readers can learn how satellites impact our day-to-day lives. In short, Artificial Satellites and How to Observe Them is a detailed and up-to-date overview of artificial satellites and how to study them in the night sky.

Describes all the different types of satellites that can be observed without optical aid and how to observe them Offers up-to-date descriptions of the many satellites that are orbiting the Earth Includes many images of artificial satellites taken from Earth

Autorentext

Dr. Richard Willis Schmude, Jr., was born in Washington D.C., and attended public schools in Cabin John, Maryland; Los Angeles, California; and Houston, Texas. He started his college career at North Harris County College and graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. Later, he obtained a Master of Science degree in Chemistry, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics, and a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, all from Texas A&M University. He worked at NALCO Chemical Company as a graduate co-op student and at Los Alamos National Laboratory as a graduate research assistant.

Since 1994, Richard has taught astronomy, chemistry, and other science classes at Gordon college in Barnesville, Georgia. He is a tenured professor at this college and continue to teach his students (and others) in these area. He has published over 100 scientific papers in many different journals and has given over 500 talks, telescope viewing sessions and workshops to over 25,000 people.

Klappentext

Astronomers' Observing Guides provide up-to-date information for amateur astronomers who want to know all about what it is they are observing. This is the basis for the first part of the book. The second part details observing techniques for practical astronomers, working with a range of different instruments.

Every amateur astronomer sees "stars" that aren't natural objects steadily slide across the background of the sky. Artificial satellites can be seen on any night, and some are as bright as the planets. But can you identify which satellite or spent launch vehicle casing you are seeing? Do you know how to image it?

Artificial Satellites and How to Observe Them describes all of the different satellites that can be observed, including communication, scientific, spy satellites, and of course, the International Space Station. Richard Schmude describes how to recognize them and even how to predict their orbits. The book tells how to observe artificial satellites with the unaided eye, binoculars and with telescopes. Many images of artificial satellites taken from Earth are included.

Artificial satellites have changed since the beginning of the twenty-first century. Several additional countries have launched them. And amateur astronomers have utilized digital cameras to image satellites to a resolution of about 1 meter.

Readers of astronomy magazines are aware of these developments but will want to get the complete story. Here it is! Artificial Satellites and How to Observe Them is a detailed and up-to-date overview of artificial satellites. Amateur astronomers will even find out how to make useful scientific observations and join the worldwide community of satellite observers, both professional and amateur, and how to log their work.

Here is a volume that should be a welcome addition to any amateur astronomer's personal library. With it in hand, you can begin sampling right away some of the most interestingmanmade objects in the sky.

Inhalt

Preface.- Chapter 1: Satellite Basics.- Chapter 2: Scientific Satellite Spacecraft.- Chapter 3: Earth Observing and Weather Satellites.- Chapter 4: Observing Artificial Satellites.- Chapter 5: Imaging Artificial Satellites and Doing Research.- Chapter 6: Computation of Eclipse Times.- Sources.- Index.