Gordon Walker

Broschiertes Buch

Astronomical Observations

An Optical Perspective

Beschreibung

This book is an up-to-date and comprehensive account of current observational techniques with particular emphasis on optical astronomy. Dr Walker, a world expert in astronomical instrumentation, has written a complete survey of the basic electromagnetic spectrum. The author discusses the types and sources of stellar electromagnetic radiation and the range of telescopes that are used to observe them. Topics covered include the construction of sensitive low-noise detectors, preservation of image quality, and the limits to measurement precision. The book is particularly timely because astronomers now have access to a wide range of telescopes on the ground and in orbit. With increasing demand for observing time, it is important to understand the principles and limitations of the instruments and techniques. This book is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students studying observational astronomy. It will provide a ready source of reference for professional astronomers. Physicists and electronic engineers will also find this an absorbing account of the techniques of astronomical observation.

Table of contents:
Preface; 1. Astronomical sources; 2. Observational limits; 3. Telescopes; 4. Seeing, speckles, and scintillation; 5. Spectrographs; 6. Dilute apertures; 7. Single channelled detectors; 8. Multi-channelled incoherent detectors; References; Index.

This comprehensive account of current observational techniques has particular emphasis on optical astronomy. Dr Walker, a world expert on astronomical instrumentation, has written a complete survey of the basic electromagnetic spectrum. He discusses the types and sources of stellar electromagnetic radiation and the range of telescopes that are used to observe them.

Autor

Gordon Walker is Professor at the Lancaster Environment Centre and until recently Co-Director of the DEMAND (Dynamics of Energy, Mobility and Demand) Centre. He has a profile of research on the social and spatial dimensions of environment, energy and sustainability issues. This includes work on environmental and energy justice; social practice, sociotechnical transitions and energy demand; community engagement with renewable energy technologies. Books include sole-authored 'Environmental Justice: concepts, evidence and politics' (2012); the co-authored 'Energy and Society: a critical perspective' (2018); and co-edited 'Routledge Handbook of Environmental Justice' (2017) and 'Demanding Energy: Space, Time and Change' (2018).

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Cambridge University Press
• Seitenzahl: 360
• Erscheinungstermin: 1. März 1987
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 235mm x 191mm x 19mm
• Gewicht: 672g
• ISBN-13: 9780521339070
• ISBN-10: 0521339073
• Artikelnr.: 21588018