David Levy's Guide To Variable Stars

by David H. Levy

• ISBN13: 9780521608602
• ISBN10: 0521608600
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-16
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Variable stars are fascinating objects to observe; found all over the sky, they change in brightness over time and can be seen with even the most basic of equipment. Variable star astronomy is one field in which amateur astronomers can still make significant contributions to science and in this highly accessible book David Levy teaches the reader how variable stars work, and how to observe them. Using simple, non-technical terms he explains how to get started with electronic (or CCD) observing, as well as how to observe variable stars through a small telescope or binoculars. Including a section on Southern hemisphere stars, the book covers various types of object that can be observed by amateur astronomers, including more exotic phenomena like gamma ray bursts, blazars, and polars. This book will serve to motivate anyone with even a basic interest in astronomy to begin observing these fascinating objects.

Table of Contents

Foreword to the first edition	ix
Preface	xi
Acknowledgments	xiv
Part I Getting to know the sky
Beginning with the Big Dipper	3	(7)
Magnitude, color, and distance	10	(3)
A word on binoculars and telescopes	13	(7)
Learning to see	20	(5)
Part II Getting to know the variables
Meeting the family	25	(5)
Getting started with Cepheids	30	(5)
Algol, the demon of autumn	35	(4)
How to estimate a variable	39	(5)
Names and records	44	(5)
How your observations help us understand a variable star	49	(3)
Observing hints	52	(7)
Observing with CCDs	59	(9)
Stately and wonderful	68	(9)
Stars of challenge	77	(6)
Bright, easy, and interesting	83	(5)
Betelgeuse: easy and hard	88	(5)
Not too regular	93	(4)
Nova? What nova?	97	(7)
Supernovae	104	(8)
Clyde Tombaugh's star and the family of cataclysmic variables	112	(14)
A nova in reverse?	126	(5)
RU Lupi?	131	(4)
Orion, the star factory	135	(9)
Other variable things	144	(5)
The Sun	149	(8)
Part III Suggested variables for observation throughout the year
Introduction	157	(2)
January, February, March	159	(17)
April, May, June	176	(18)
July, August, September	194	(19)
October, November, December	213	(16)
Southern sky notes	229	(8)
Part IV A miscellany
Stars and people	237	(7)
``Hands-on Astrophysics'' and the next generation	244	(5)
Going further	249	(3)
Glossary and abbreviations	252	(6)
Index	258