A Practical Guide to Lightcurve Photometry and Analysis (The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series) - Softcover

Warner, Brian D.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0387293655 ISBN 13: 9780387293653

Publisher: Springer New York, 2010

Synopsis

Tools for amateur astronomers who wish to go beyond CCD imaging and step into 'serious' science. The text offers techniques for gathering, analyzing, and publishing data, and describes joint projects in which amateurs and students can take part. Readers learn to recognize and avoid common errors in gathering photometry data, with detailed examples for analysis. Includes reviews of available software, with screen shots and useful tips.

About this title

About the Author

Brian Warner has been an astronomer for 40 years. He ran the Minor Planet Observer for ten years, and has contributed more than 60 papers to the Minor Planet Bulletin, along with regular articles. He lives in Colorado, USA.

From the Back Cover

A Practical Guide to Lightcurve Photometry and Analysis provides, for
those with access to even a modest telescope and CCD camera, all the
information needed to take part in the scientific study of asteroids and
variable stars.

Using commercially available equipment, amateur astronomers can
determine the rotation rate, size, and shape of asteroids. Similarly, it
is possible to discover the size, temperature, and orbits of stars in
binary systems by using this powerful technique.

A Practical Guide to Lightcurve Photometry and Analysis contains all the
material needed for readers to understand the theory, and avoid the
practical pitfalls of lightcurve photometry. Detailed examples are
given for obtaining data, and of course for the exciting and rewarding
task of analyzing the data to determine the physical properties of the
object.

Any college student or amateur astronomer who wants to go beyond mere
imaging with a CCD camera and enter the challenging world of "real
science" via the lightcurves of asteroids and binary stars will find
everything necessary in this book.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer New York
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0387293655
• ISBN 13: 9780387293653
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 312