Meteors and How to Observe Them

Meteors and How to Observe Them
Author: Robert Lunsford
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 198
Release: 2009-02-19
Genre: Science
ISBN: 038709461X

In this era of high-tech instruments, meteor observing is the one facet of astr- omy that needs nothing more than your naked eye. Meteors can be easily seen without the aid of cameras, binoculars, or telescopes. Just ? nd a comfortable chair and lie back and watch for the surprises that await high above you. It is a great way to involve the family in science where everyone is active at the same time, not wa- ing to take turns at the eyepiece. The kids especially enjoy the hunt for “shooting stars,” oohing and ahing at each streak of light that crosses the sky. While gazing upwards, it is also a great way to get more familiar with the sky by learning the constellations and seeing if you can see the warrior among the stars of Orion or the scorpion among the stars of Scorpius. Until just recently, one could simply go outside and watch for meteors from his or her yard. Unfortunately, humankind’s fear of the dark and the widespread use of lighting as advertisement have lit the nighttime scene in urban areas so that only the brightest stars are visible. Serious meteor observing under such conditions is nearly impossible as the more numerous faint meteors are now lost in the glare of urban skies. Today, a serious meteor observing session entails organizing an outing to a country site where the stars can be seen in all their glory and meteors of all magnitudes can be viewed.

Meteors and How to Observe Them

Meteors and How to Observe Them
Author: Robert Lunsford
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2008-11-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780387560373

In this era of high-tech instruments, meteor observing is the one facet of astr- omy that needs nothing more than your naked eye. Meteors can be easily seen without the aid of cameras, binoculars, or telescopes. Just ? nd a comfortable chair and lie back and watch for the surprises that await high above you. It is a great way to involve the family in science where everyone is active at the same time, not wa- ing to take turns at the eyepiece. The kids especially enjoy the hunt for “shooting stars,” oohing and ahing at each streak of light that crosses the sky. While gazing upwards, it is also a great way to get more familiar with the sky by learning the constellations and seeing if you can see the warrior among the stars of Orion or the scorpion among the stars of Scorpius. Until just recently, one could simply go outside and watch for meteors from his or her yard. Unfortunately, humankind’s fear of the dark and the widespread use of lighting as advertisement have lit the nighttime scene in urban areas so that only the brightest stars are visible. Serious meteor observing under such conditions is nearly impossible as the more numerous faint meteors are now lost in the glare of urban skies. Today, a serious meteor observing session entails organizing an outing to a country site where the stars can be seen in all their glory and meteors of all magnitudes can be viewed.

Lunar Meteoroid Impacts and How to Observe Them

Lunar Meteoroid Impacts and How to Observe Them
Author: Brian Cudnik
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2010-03-10
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1441903240

The genesis of modern searches for observable meteoritic phenomena on the Moon is the paper by Lincoln La Paz in Popular Astronomy magazine in 1938. In it he argued that the absence of observed fashes of meteoritic impacts on the Moon might be interpreted to mean that these bodies are destroyed as luminous meteors in an extremely rarefed lunar atmosphere. The paper suggested the possibility of systematic searches for such possible lunar meteors. With these concepts in mind, I was surprised to note a transient moving bright speck on the Moon on July 10, 1941. It appeared to behave very much as a lunar meteor would – except that the poorly estimated duration would lead to a strongly hyperbolic heliocentric velocity. Thus, the idea of systematic searches for both p- sible lunar meteors and meteoritic impact fashes was born. It was appreciated that much time might need to be expended to achieve any positive results. Systematic searches were carried out by others and myself chiefy in the years 1945–1965 and became a regular program at the newly founded Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, or ALPO.

Field Guide to Meteors and Meteorites

Field Guide to Meteors and Meteorites
Author: O. Richard Norton
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 285
Release: 2008-05-25
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1848001576

What is unique about Richard Norton's book is that it is both a field guide to observing meteors, and also a field guide to locating, preparing and analysing meteorites. In addition to giving the reader information about observing techniques for meteors, this book also provides a fully detailed account of the types of meteorites, how and where to find them, how to prepare and analyse them. The book provides everything the amateur astronomer (or geologist!) needs to know about meteors and meteorites. It is thus the only complete book on the subject available at present.

Asteroids and Dwarf Planets and How to Observe Them

Asteroids and Dwarf Planets and How to Observe Them
Author: Roger Dymock
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 246
Release: 2010-11-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1441964398

Dwarf planets (which were formerly called asteroids except for the planet Pluto), and the smaller Solar System bodies still called asteroids today, are making front page news, particularly those that are newly discovered and those that might present a hazard to life on Earth by impacting our planet. In this age of giant telescopes and space probes, these small Solar System bodies have advanced from being tiny points of light to bodies worthy of widespread study. This book describes the dwarf planets and asteroids themselves, their origins, orbits, and composition, and at how amateur astronomers can play a part in their detection, tracking, and imaging. The book is divided into two parts. Part I describes physical properties (including taxonomic types) of dwarf planets and asteroids, how they formed in the early life of the Solar System, and how they evolved to their present positions, groups, and families. It also covers the properties used to define these small Solar System bodies: magnitude, rotation rates (described by their light-curves), and orbital characteristics. Part II opens with a description of the hardware and software an amateur or practical astronomer needs to observe and also to image asteroids. Then numerous observing techniques are covered in depth. Finally, there are lists of relevant amateur and professional organizations and how to submit your own observations to them.

Atlas of Meteor Showers

Atlas of Meteor Showers
Author: Philip M. Bagnall
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2021
Genre:
ISBN: 9783030766443

This atlas contains everything you need to know about meteor showers and how to observe them. It begins with the science behind these celestial fireworks, then equips you with all the practical knowledge you'll need to make the most of these wonderful astronomical events. The book is rich with illustrations, graphs and resources to assist your hobby. In addition, it includes downloadable radiant charts, report sheets, radiant altitude data, plotting charts and more, to help you locate each shower, record its activity and plot individual meteors during your nights of observation. Intended for amateurs of all levels and requiring no special equipment, this accessible Atlas of Meteor Showers will hone your skills and keep you engaged throughout the year, no matter where you are in the world.

Meteoroids, Meteors, and Meteorites : Know the Difference | Solar System Children's Book Grade 4 | Children's Astronomy & Space Books

Meteoroids, Meteors, and Meteorites : Know the Difference | Solar System Children's Book Grade 4 | Children's Astronomy & Space Books
Author: Baby Professor
Publisher: Speedy Publishing LLC
Total Pages: 80
Release: 2019-11-22
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 1541956419

Understand the differences in size and composition of meteoroids, meteors and meteorites. The information included in this book should help you create the differentiation between these three forms of heavenly bodies. The included images and targeted information makes this book a worthy read for fourth grade students. Enjoy the read!

Observing Comets, Asteroids, Meteors, and the Zodiacal Light

Observing Comets, Asteroids, Meteors, and the Zodiacal Light
Author: Stephen J. Edberg
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 272
Release: 1994-10-06
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 9780521420037

When can you see fireballs and who should you contact if you spot one? When is it best to hunt for comets and meteors and whereabouts? How do you gauge the size of the coma in the head of a comet and estimate its degree of condensation? Clear and easy to use, this guide shows you how to make successful and valuable observations and records of comets, asteroids, meteors and the zodiacal light. For each topic the historical background and current scientific understanding support a wealth of observational techniques. Comet observers are shown techniques for search and discovery. They can learn how to make visual estimates of brightness and size, and how to make photographic studies of cometary heads and tails. Asteroid hunters will find a 'life list' of quarry and guidelines on how to search for these objects and then how to photograph or electronically image them. Fruitful photographic and electronic methods for studying meteors and meteor showers are provided. Visual and photographic techniques show you how to examine the often elusive zodiacal light. The more adventurous are provided with advanced techniques on how to make successful astrometric, spectroscopic and electronic observations. This is rounded off with an invaluable list of centres world-wide to contact with your details of unusual sightings.

The Stuff Between the Stars

The Stuff Between the Stars
Author: Sandra Nickel
Publisher: Abrams
Total Pages: 48
Release: 2021-03-02
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 1647003210

An inspired biographical picture book about a female astronomer who makes huge discoveries about the mysteries of the night sky and changed the way we look at the universe Vera Rubin was one of the astronomers who discovered and named dark matter, the thing that keeps the universe hanging together. Throughout her career she was never taken seriously as a scientist because she was one of the only female astronomers at that time, but she didn’t let that stop her. She made groundbreaking and incredibly significant discoveries that scientists have only recently been able to really appreciate—and she changed the way that we look at the universe. A stunning portrait of a little-known trailblazer, The Stuff Between the Stars tells Vera’s story and inspires the youngest readers who are just starting to look up at the stars.