Burnham's Celestial Handbook, Volume One An Observer's Guide to the Universe Beyond the Solar System

by Burnham, Robert

• ISBN13: 9780486235677
• ISBN10: 048623567X
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1978-06-01
• Publisher: Dover Publications

Summary

This comprehensive coverage of the thousands of celestial objects outside our solar system. The objects are grouped according to constellation, and their definitions feature names, coordinates, classification, and physical description, along with hundreds of visual aids. Volume I of the three-volume work covers Andromeda to Cetus.

Table of Contents

Introductory Section
Introduction	5	(8)
Amateur Astronomy - A Personal View
The Idea Behind the Celestial Handbook
Introducing the Universe	13	(32)
A Celestial Survey
The Distance Scale of the Universe
Fundamental Knowledge for the Observer	45	(53)
Gaining a ``Working Knowledge'' of the Heavens.	45	(1)
The Constellations; Apparent Motions and Seasonal Changes.	46	(4)
The Celestial Sphere. Celestial Coordinates.	50	(4)
Precession.	54	(3)
Directions in the Sky.	57	(1)
Sidereal Time.	58	(2)
Angular Measurement.	60	(1)
The Magnitude System; Apparent and Absolute Magnitudes.	61	(8)
Color Indices.	69	(1)
Star Names and Designations.	70	(4)
Star Atlases.	74	(2)
Stellar Spectral Classes.	76	(6)
Star Motions; Proper Motion, Radial.	82	(1)
Velocity. Stellar temperatures.	82	(1)
The H-R Diagram.	83	(4)
Star Distances. Distance Units.	87	(1)
Double Stars, Variable Stars.	88	(3)
Classification of Nebulae and Galaxies.	91	(7)
How to Use this Book	98	(5)
The Arrangement of the Celestial Handbook
Terms, Symbols, and Abbreviations Used.
The Celestial Handbook	103	(549)
Constellation Index, Volume I	652