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For the experienced amateur astronomer who is wondering if there is something useful, valuable, and permanent that can be done with his or her observational skills, the answer is, "Yes, you can!" This is the book for the experienced amateur astronomer who is ready to take a new step in his or her astronomical journey. Unfortunately, there is no modern text that points curious amateur astronomers to the research possibilities that are open to them. At the 2006 meeting of the Society for Astronomical Sciences, quite a few participants agreed that the lack of such a text was a serious gap in the astronomical book market, and that this gap is impeding their efforts to encourage more amateur astronomers to get involved in research collaborations. This book will fill that gap, and enable more amateur astronomers to add research-type studies to their pursuit of the hobby.

Written by an astronomer who is well known amongst the amateur and professional community for the skill and quality of his work, this book describes a wide range of research areas where amateurs are gathering new scientific data that is utilized by professional astronomers. For each research area, the book provides a concise explanation of the purpose and value of the amateurs’ observations, a description of the equipment that is needed, specific observing procedures, complete data reduction instructions, and an explanation of how, and where, to submit results so that they will be available to the professional users.

Customer Reviews (5)

From Hobby To Science
Astronomy is one of the very few sciences where amateurs can make significant contributions and where amateur contributions are valued by the professional community. I returned to serious astronomy several years ago. I wanted to do more than just star gaze and taking pretty photos (which I still love). If you have felt the same way, then this book is a must read. Buchheim presents a plethora of different research programs that can be undertaken with modest (or even no) equipment. One of my particular interests is photometry, the measurement of light to study such things as variable stars and asteroid light curves. Buchheim takes the novice through all of the concepts and presents this material in a manner that allows the reader to understand the basic concepts and how to undertake a number of observing programs from differential photometry to all-sky to asteroid light curves The same is true for astrometry and the search for asteroids. And, these are just two of the areas of research discussed. In short, if you want to move from "just observing," and get into astronomical research and make valued contributions to science, this book will guide you through to success.

GREAT, thorough treatment!
I agree with the other reviews I've seen here: this book is excellent!

Are you ready to move beyond visual observing or taking CCD pix for aesthetic appreciation? Do you want to feel like you're doing a bit of science?If you answered yes to these questions, then this is undoubtedly a good book for you.It contains a survey of a wide range of areas where YOU, with relatively inexpensive amateur gear, can do observations that go far beyond the "Oh, isn't that pretty!" (Not, though, that I have anything against "pretty!")

This book is well written, and unlike many other books in our hobby, gets into the nitty-gritty details of how-to-do-it!It's well written and the author speaks with authority.Each chapter has an excellent reference at its end. Using these references allows you to do additional reading.

Although it doesn't go into much depth on the topic, this book has a short and adequate introduction on spectroscopy.The overview is good and it has references on where to find further info. I've found spectroscopy very exciting.Without much work, with a simple webcam & tiny scope, in the city, without a lengthy or complicated observing program, you can be analyzing the composition of distant stars! Now THAT'S science! (The Rainbow Optics or StarAnalyser spectroscopes are a great introduction.)

Better Than I Thought
Most of the topics in this book will be somewhat beyond those that a casual amateur astronomer would want to pursue. However, the book is worth buying just for what you will learn about the different topics. Of course, if you want to try some of the scientific work then you are all set with the material given.

Worth a read for the in depth discussion of observation, imaging with CCDs, practical issues with both, and an understanding of observational and imaging science.

I recommend it.

A must buy
For amateurs who have passed the beginner rites of the Messier and Caldwell lists, Buchheims's _Sky_ contains the measured voice of the elder mentor of your astronomy club.If that expert mentor is lacking in your local club, Buchheim's _Sky_ is a must buy that will save you in time many times its purchase.Each _Sky_ observing project is written like an after star-party club coffee meeting, with Buchheim patiently guiding you through practical field problems commonly encountered when starting photometry, double star astrometry or supernovae searching.He includes references to landmark manuals, amateur organizations and internet resources for each topic.Where appropriate, Buchheim fills in with basic observing skills that are often left unexplained as assumed knowlege in other texts, e.g. timing uncertainty reduction when timing asteriod occultations.For this Amazon review, the 18 observing projects are listed in the Table of Contents, listed above. _Sky_ now sits on my "ready reference" shelf - sandwiched between other amateur classics - like Berry's _HAIP_, Sidgwick's _Amateur Astronomer's Handbook_, North's _Advanced Amateur_ or Meeus's _Algorithms_.If you have been hooked in the hobby for two or three years and want a roadmap to the next 10 years, Buchheim's _Sky_ is what you need.

GREATEST ASTRONOMY BOOK ON THE PLANET
This is a really neat book! It opens up a whole new kind of amateur astronomy;real research projects where you make observations that are useful to professional astronomers.Amateur astronomers can gather new information or make new dsicoveries,using skills that are common amoung experienced stargazers,and equipment that is widely available. Here is a step-by-step instruction manual for getting started in these projects,from learning why each project area is important, to the equipment and procedures that are needed, and how to analyze your results.The chapters are organized roughly in order of increasing difficulty of the projects, from simple(naked-eye meteor counting) to complex (extra solar planet searches and supernova discovery). I was paticularly pleased that each project includes an explaination of how and where to submit your results, so that they will be useful to "real" astronomers.
I do not think there is any compairable book available. There are plenty of "advanced observing guides", and many "textbooks",but this book fits right in between them. It gives careful description of celestial objects or events,and how and why you should try to see them, so it's sort of an observing guide(although there are not any spectacular photos).It also explains why the observations are important,and gives a meticulous explaination of the data gathering and analysis procedures for each project,so it is sort of a textbook. But it is not stuffy,pedantic tome. The style is friendly,helpful and encouraging. There are some equations,but if you made it through high school algebra they will not give you any trouble(and only some projects require you to use them).There is even a story line! Short tales about challenges,successes,and memorable experiences are scattered throughout the text. They make it easy to read,and highlite the author's enthusiasm for his subject.
Any amateur atronomer who has ever wished he could be a "real scientist" will definitely find this book worth having on his desk. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (3)

The Realities of Unmanned Space Exploration in a Nutshell
In the list of NASA's spaceflight programs of the 1960s, ranked in order of familiarity to the public, there's little doubt that Project Apollo is at the top. Next is probably Project Mercury--most people have likely heard of the "capsules" in which astronauts Shepard and Glenn flew (along with four others--can you name them?). Further down the list is Gemini, the relatively obscure but very important program that bridged Mercury and Apollo. Then it gets tougher. How about unmanned programs? There's a slim chance that the names Explorer, Pioneer or Mariner may trigger a tiny flash of recognition. But there's a name on the list that almost certainly goes totally unrecognized by all but the most ardent space buff. That name is "Ranger."

It's a shame, really. Ranger was one of the most technically and operationally challenging space programs ever. Marred for years by a frustrating series of failures, the program finally, in 1964, accomplished its goal of taking close-up photographs of the surface of the moon. The first six missions failed for a variety of reasons, most connected with the fact that America was then in the very early stages of learning how to fly in space. The last three--Rangers 7, 8 and 9--were spectacularly successful. These spacecraft, built and operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of the California Institute of Technology, each returned thousands of stunning black-and-white images as they plunged to destruction on the moon. Eclipsed by the later Surveyor and Lunar Orbiter programs, the pioneering achievements of Ranger quickly faded into obscurity as public interest focused on the manned Apollo missions. Yet Ranger enormously--indeed, almost immeasurably--influenced the development of America's capabilities to build, test, launch and fly unmanned interplanetary spacecraft. Ranger's legacy lives on in every U.S. mission to Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and beyond. Its story deserves to be far more widely known than it is.

Thanks to "Lunar Impact: The NASA History of Project Ranger," you can now learn that story. Eminent space historian R. Cargill Hall's book originally appeared in 1977 as NASA SP-4210, a volume in the NASA History Series. This Dover edition is a republication of the long-out-of-print original. The book is, in a word, superb. Dr. Hall presents the story of Ranger in a very accessible, fast-moving yet comprehensive narrative. His detailed descriptions of the human, operational and technical "nuts and bolts" aspects of the program are perfectly balanced. Unlike some works produced under NASA auspices, "Lunar Impact" is not overloaded with page after seemingly endless page of minutia about organizational responsibilities, reporting chains and memo wars--subjects dear to bureaucrats' hearts. There's some of that, of course. No book about any government program can ignore these factors. But, thankfully, there's not that much.

"Lunar Impact" is based largely on primary source documents and on interviews with Ranger participants. Written just a decade after the events described, while the memories of the scientists, engineers and managers were still fresh, it has a compelling immediacy matched by very few other spaceflight history books. You can't help but be enthralled, fascinated and, most important, educated by Dr. Hall's outstanding story of America's very first spacecraft designed to explore another body in the Solar System. Ranger had a well-defined beginning, middle and end, and interested readers can comprehend the entire program in a way that may not be possible for later, more complex missions. Dr. Hall's definitive work sets the standard for books of this nature. I can't recommend it too highly for all readers, and especially for space enthusiasts. They just don't get any better than this.

Good gift book for the right person
I bought this book for my husband, a keen space exploration officionado, for his birthday and he loves it.

Lunar Impact: NASA history of Project Ranger
Oh, wow! I had forgotton this project. I was in college when most of this project occurred. This project objective was to both take pictures of the lunar surface, send them back to NASA and then impact the lunar surface. These wewe unmanned, of course, but a really fascinating test. For some unknown reason the first six failed but the 7th was a success. This project occurred mainly in 1964.
The exercise was to pave the way for the Apollo missions by imaging the lunar surface.

This book details a really fascinating chapter in space exploration history and NASA history, too. I am so glad the author(s) wrote this book. I loved the illustrations and diagrams. There are many, many books out about Apollo but the little-known projects are the best to me.

Readers, this is one of those little gems that very few will know or remember. Why did I know this?
I am one of the very few women aerospace engineers who worked on the Saturn V during Apollo.
We made sure that our Astronauts would be safe and Project Ranger paved the way.
Project Ranger was our first baby steps to better and better satellites, deep space probes and space telescopes.

Congratulstions on a book well-written.

Sara Howard, Author of Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Moon ... Read more

Product Description
An all-new collection of first-rate science experiments!

Are you having a hard time coming up with a good idea for the science fair? Do you want to earn extra credit in your science class? Or do you just want to learn more about how the universe really works? Janice VanCleave’s A+ Projects in Astronomy can help you, and the best part is it won’t involve any complicated or expensive equipment.

This step-by-step guide explores 30 different topics and offers dozens of experiment ideas. The book also includes charts, diagrams, and illustrations. Here are just a few of the subjects you’ll be investigating:

• The size and rotation of celestial bodies
• Eclipses and the true movements of the sun
• The apparent magnitude of the stars
• Orbital eccentricity
• Meteors and artificial satellites

You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to turn your own ideas into winning science fair projects!

Also available:

Janice VanCleave’s A+ Projects in Biology
Janice VanCleave’s A+ Projects in Chemistry
Janice VanCleave’s A+ Projects in Earth Science ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Janice Vancleave's A+ Projects in Astronomy
Any high school or junior high school student will want this book for science fair experiments and ideas.It takes you through the fascinating world of astronomy and all of it's mysteries, movements, and eccentricities. The best part is that each topic is accompanied with a sample experiment followed by questions and answers. You'll have great science fair success with this book! ... Read more

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The author has combined an astronomy guidebook with informative activities and projects. Aimed at both adults and teenagers, "Seeing the Sky" covers a range of subjects that include activities for daylight and night-time skies - including those related to the sun's corona, rainbows, atmospheric optics, and much more. All 100 projects involve no more than the naked eye and common household materials. ... Read more

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Self-contained astronomy projects for introductory astronomy courses taught at schools using Voyager III, the dynamic sky simulator program developed by Carina Software.Projects treat topics in solar system, stellar, and galactic astronomy. ... Read more

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This book explores the fascinating world of radio astronomy using a hands-on approach. Professor Lonc has assembled a treasure chest of innovative experiments, many using inexpensive surplus equipment.The 2nd Edition contains approximately 50 new pages of material, including circuits and experiments. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Don't buy this book
I'm an electrical engineering student! This book sucks if you want to build your own radio telescope.The basic theme of this book is use sat-dish components to assemble not build a radio telescope.The projects are plentiful in this book but each project is 1 or 2 pages.. hardly a project.Buy this book after you build your telescope and when you don't know what to observe.Very disappointing.I was expecting a schematic for each project!There is only one complete project 6 pages (whew..hew).. and that project is already online for free.I really don't understand what the hype about this book.This book does not deliver what it says.According to Lonc... the simple idea of observe the sun at 4GHz qualifies for 2 pages of B.S. and is called a project.No shematics, no parts list.The same block diagram is reapeated over and over for many projects.LNA-Powe amp-chart recorder... Thats it!If you want to learn astrophysics pick up a text book.This is for high school kids!

A good addition to your library
Radio Astronomy Projects by William Lonc is a delightful addition to the library of any amateur radio astronomer.While it is not a textbook, itis full of useful information and a fascinating record of projectsundertaken and inspired by this dedicated experimenter and teacher.

A Fair Book but Short on Fundamentals
If you already have a reasonable introduction to RA (radio astronomy), then this book might helpyou get started with some projects. There are some interesting bits of info hidden away, but forbeginners this is notthe place to be. I don't think I'd suggest this book until one has gottenone personal project under their belt or done some solid reading elsewhere. It's not quite that the fundamentals aren't explained, but they just sortof spring up. It's sort of like someone first wrote the projects and thensaid, I guess I'd better add some info about fundamentals, but didn't quitetie it in with the projects. ... Read more

Product Description
Anna Sofaer found the now-famous "Sun Dagger" petroglyph site on a desert butte high above Chaco Culture National Historical Park at Summer Solstice in 1977, leading to 30 years research into the meaning of ancient Chaco's astonomical expressions. Chaco Astronomy brings together all the major findings of Solstice Project's many researchers, changing forever the understanding of a place often called "America's Stonehenge"

Nine revealing chapters explore the sophisticated lunar and solar alignments of major buildings, implications of the Great North Road, a remarkable digital reconstruction of the Sun Dagger site, and more. Richly illustrated with photos, charts, maps, and diagrams.

Sofaer and the highly qualified science team of the Solstice Project struggled to overcome resistance to their findings by an entrenched archaeological establishment. As deeper investigations provided more and more substance to her findings, Sofar now stands tall as one of the great pioneers of American archaeoastronomy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

An extraordinary site in New Mexico
On June 29, 1977, Anna Sofaer and Jay Crotty were assigned to record petroglyphs on the 400 high Fajada Butte in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico.

"Late in the afternoon [of June 28], when we reached the top, we saw a large spiral petroglyph carved on the cliff face behind three large rock slabs. The spiral was deeply shadowed so we decided to return the next morning when there would be more light for our photographing. We happened to reach the site close to noontime, eight days from summer solstice, at the very moment that a "dagger" of light was bisecting the spiral."

For thirty years Sofaer and others have studied the site, and this book contains the results of their research. "The papers reveal that the people of Chaco, a culture that thrived in the arid San Juan Basin from A.D. 850 to 1130, developed an elaborate commemoration of the cycles of the sun and the moon. The Chaco people expressed this commemoration through the alignments of magnificent multistoried buildings, through the orientation of the Great North Road, and by numerous seasonal sunlight and lunar shadow markings on petroglyphs."

The papers make fascinating reading, much like a detective story, where new information enhances and sometimes contradicts earlier theories. At the same time, the earth moves; the early sharply formed and slender "dagger" has become more irregular over the years, apparently because the earth at the base of the projecting slabs has lowered up to 25 cm between 1978 and 1989.

In 2006, a large team produced an interactive computer graphics model that replicates the astronomical functioning of the calendar. A number of black and white photos and charts and drawings nicely illustrate the text.

Anna Sofaer was instrumental in creating "the Solstice Project, a non-profit group, organized in 1978 to study, document, and preserve the remarkable Sun Dagger - a celestial calendar of the ancient Pueblo Indians.It continues to study other achievements of ancient Southwestern cultures." The Project's website is rich with supplemental information about the Chaco site. A summary of key developments at Chaco taken from the website appear in the first Comment.

The Project produced "The Sun Dagger," an hour-length film documenting the Sun Dagger site. A second DVD narrated by Robert Redford was released by Bullfrog Films and the Project as The Mystery of Chaco Canyon. Both are available at the Project's website.

The book, the website and the film tell a fascinating story, and best of all one can hike through much of the area and see for themselves what the Anasazi Indians created here. 50 Hikes in Northern New Mexico: From Chaco Canyon to the High Peaks of the Sangre de Cristos is an excellent choice to lead your footsteps through the canyon.

Robert C. Ross2008

Astronomical expressions found throughout the architecture and art of the ancient Chaco culture
During the summer solstice in 1977, researcher Anna Sofaer was high on a butte in New Mexico's western deserts when she observed a single shaft of light perfectly bisecting a rock art spiral. The spiral was created by the ancestors of the Native Americans known as the Pueblo people. Sofaer recognized the significance of this 'Sun Dagger' and commenced a thirty-year investigation and research into the meaning of it and numerous other astronomical expressions found throughout the architecture and art of the ancient Chaco culture. The results of this three decade study are what comprise "Chaco Astronomy: An Ancient American Cosmology". The result of Sofaer's own researches are augmented by other contributors to The Solstice Project. The informed and informative text is enhanced with the inclusion of numerous black-and-white photographs, drawings, and sketches. "Chaco Astronomy" is a work of seminal scholarship that is enthusiastically recommended for personal, professional, and academic library collections in American Archeology, Native American History, and Paleo Astronomy reference collections and supplemental reading lists. ... Read more

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The hands-on, teacher-tested activities in Project Earth Science: Astronomy brings the sometimes daunting concepts of astronomy down to Earth. Background information, supplementary readings, and suggestions for integrating other disciplines provide the teacher with a framework to launch a successful introduction to astronomy. Students will discover Earth s uniqueness by examining it as a part of the whole one planet within our Solar System. How did the planets form? Are we seeing a star s present or past? Why is Earth s distance from the Sun so important? Project Earth Science: Astronomy will lead you and your students on an exploration that takes you to the stars and back. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

nice resource for earth sci
This is a good resource, but is does not have .. well, it is a good basic start for learning astronomy, can work in HS but is probally more for the Middle School student.
... Read more

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This collection of papers is based on a meeting on coordinated observations of astronomical objects held at the Stellar Data Centre of Strasbourg Observatory. It provides valuable advice to those engaged in the planning, management, assessment and administration of observational research. ... Read more

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Find out how to create your own "Darth Fader" to determine the effects of sunlight on different colors; watch the night sky for some absolutely stellar performances; and create your own planet for you and your friends to visit. The Annual Meteor Shower Chart shows the best times to go meteor watching. ... Read more

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Packed with a vast array of telescopic projects involving different kind of stars, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies which lie beyond our solar system. Takes a look at stars of diverse chemical or atomic ``brew'', old and new, tiny or vast, dense or tenuous; the ways in which they behave and much more. ... Read more

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Students will love pouring through these exciting science fair ideas about space and astronomy. Each project comes with helpful hints on how to customize the project and win the science fair prize.

... Read more

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Instructions for a variety of experiments in astronomy including making a telescope, building a planetarium, measuring the circumference of the Earth, and detecting cosmic rays. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Fantastic Science Book! How to Make Stuff!
Unquestionably one of the best books I've ever seen on this subject.Not only for "young scientists" but ANY adult, as well, who is just getting into the hobby or wants to advance from a beginner level.

What I especially like about this book is that it teaches you how to MAKE stuff!This is a rare "hands-on" type of book.

Chapters:Building a Theodolite, Sundials, The Analemma, Telescope-Making, The Optical Telescope, Radio Telescopes, The Construction and Use of a Spectroscope, Building a Planetarium, Model Construction, Observing the Sun, Observing the Moon, Observing the Planets, Measuring the Earth's Circumference, Comets and Meteors, Tiny Particles, Variable Stars, The Timing of Occultations, Star-Guaging the Milky Way, Blinking, Astrophotography, Contests and Competitions.

Highly recommended for young scientists, every adult with an interest in astronomy, anybody who treasures a great home science library, and especially FOREIGN STUDENTS [ESL/EFL] who will be coming to the USA/UK/CANADA and entering a science program or as a science major at the college or university level. ... Read more

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Seeing the Solar System Fun, easy astronomy projects that let you unlock the secrets of our solar system… Whether you’re a veteran sky watcher or an amateur astronomer, Seeing the Solar System will take you on a fascinating journey to objects in our solar system beyond the naked eye. This entertaining hands-on guide gives you dozens of stimulating astronomy projects and experiments that you can perform at home or in the field. The only requirement is a basic telescope—and a keen interest in this increasingly popular subject. Written by well-known astronomer and author Fred Schaaf, Seeing the Solar System is a companion volume to Seeing the Sky and the second in a trilogy of astronomy projects books. This invaluable addition to any amateur astronomer’s library is also ideal for astronomy clubs, nature groups, and family fun.

• Covers the nine planets and their moons, plus asteroids, comets and meteors, the Sun, and more
• From general observations of the moon to observing the comas and gas tails of comets, experiments range in difficulty from basic to advanced
• Written in crisp, clear, nontechnical language that even novice astronomers can understand

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Presents a variety of astronomy projects, including creative writing and drawing assignments, modelmaking, sky observation, and experiments. ... Read more

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"I believe that real scientific progress is as much a result of public information as of laboratory or field studies. Louis Varricchio's bold new book will demonstrate that there is much about the Moon's natural history that awaits discovery."
- Dr. John A. O'Keefe, former NASA space scientist and author of "Tektites and Their Origin."

What do we really know about the Moon, Earth's nearest neighbor in space?

"Inconstant Moon: Discovery and Controversy on the Way to the Moon," tells the story of NASA's robot lunar explorers, such as Projects Ranger and Surveyor, as well as the interpersonal relationships between some of the brilliant scientists who took America to the Moon. The exploration of the Moon is a story about tempers, rivalry, and scientific debates over the Moon's origin and surface features. Six years in the making, this book reveals some recently unearthed historical facts.

"Inconstant Moon..." also contains rarely published photographs of some of the scientists discussed in the text as well as NASA images of the Moon and several lunar samples and meteorites. The book's appendices provide useful information for the interested reader or serious lunar student. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

unsolved lunar mysteries
Inconstant moon is an excellent review of one of the longest running controversies in lunar science. The question of tektite origin has remained controversial since the days of the Apollo program.Tektites are small beads of glass found in large strewn fields on earth.Their origin is disputed, as to whether they are from lunar impacts, which find their way to earth or are debris from earth impacts.This is an interesting story of scientific debate which is continuing to this day. You can also visit my website [...] to find out more about lunar science. ... Read more

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In 1609 Galileo first used his telescope to kick start the science of observational astronomy - an event that proved to be of enormous historic, scientific, and cultural importance. Galileo and 400 Years of Telescopic Astronomy will feature the life and achievements of Galileo, around which has pivoted the story of four centuries of telescopic astronomy. The book will detail how astronomy has progressed through four centuries and contain glimpses of future space research and astronomy goals. Uniquely, interwoven with the text will be a range of practical projects for backyard astronomers in which to participate, projects that serve to illustrate many of Galileo's scientific discoveries. ... Read more