Spectral Atlas for Amateur Astronomers: A Guide to the Spectra of Astronomical Objects and Terrestrial Light Sources

by Richard Walker

Overview

Featuring detailed commented spectral profiles of more than one hundred astronomical objects, in colour, this spectral guide documents most of the important and spectroscopically observable objects accessible using typical amateur equipment. It allows you to read and interpret the recorded spectra of the main stellar classes, as well as most of the steps from protostars through to the final stages of stellar evolution as planetary nebulae, white dwarfs or the different types of supernovae. It also presents integrated spectra of stellar clusters, galaxies and quasars, and the reference spectra of some terrestrial light sources, for calibration purposes. Whether used as the principal reference for comparing with your recorded spectra or for inspiring independent observing projects, this atlas provides a breathtaking view into our Universe's past. The atlas is accompanied and supplemented by Spectroscopy for Amateur Astronomers, which explains in detail the methods for recording, processing, analysing and interpreting your spectra.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107165908
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/20/2017
Edition description:	Large Print
Pages:	290
Product dimensions:	8.74(w) x 11.34(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

Richard Walker spent his career in civil engineering, planning large projects such as power plants, dams and tunnels. Now retired, in the last ten years he has focused increasingly on stellar astronomy and on the indispensable key to this topic - spectroscopy. He undertook a large observing project to record and document the spectra of the most important astronomical objects, and chose to share this gathered information for the benefit of other amateurs worldwide.

Table of Contents

Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Directory of plates; 2. Selection, processing and presentation of the spectra; 3. Terms, definitions and abbreviations; 4. Overview and characteristics of stellar spectral classes; 5. Spectral class O; 6. Spectral class B; 7. Spectral class A; 8. Spectral class F; 9. Spectral class G; 10. Spectral class K; 11. Spectral class M; 12. Spectral sequence on the AGB; 13. M(e) stars on the AGB; 14. Spectral class S on the AGB; 15. Carbon stars on the AGB; 16. Post AGB stars and white dwarf; 17. Wolf Rayet stars; 18. LBV stars; 19. Be stars; 20. Be shell stars; 21. PMS protostars; 22. Peculiar CP-stars; 23. Spectroscopic binaries; 24. Novae; 25. Supernovae; 26. Extragalactic objects; 27. Star clusters; 28. Emission nebulae; 29. Reflectance spectra of Solar System bodies; 30. Telluric molecular absorption; 31. The night sky spectrum; 32. The night sky spectrum; 33. Terrestrial and calibration light sources.

Editorial Reviews

'Spectroscopy is to astronomy what fingerprints are to forensic investigators. Walker has put together one of the most comprehensive references on the subject published to date … he has compiled an atlas of spectra from a variety of astronomical sources that can be used to classify almost any object observable with telescopes that are typically available to amateurs. This book nicely bridges the vast gap between what students will find in most textbooks and the references used by practitioners. Want to tell a white dwarf star from a red giant star? A nebula from a galaxy? Here’s how! This richly illustrated atlas of spectra makes the identification process relatively easy. Moreover, the introduction to each chapter provides an accessible primer on the astrophysics behind the spectra. An extensive bibliography will lead the novice spectroscopist into as much detail as desired … This labor of love belongs on any serious amateur’s desk - even professionals will find it quite useful.' T. D. Oswalt, Choice

'Trypsteen and Walker’s Spectroscopy for Amateur Astronomers does a thorough job of explaining the science of spectroscopy and should help interested amateurs with equipment choices and processing; the Spectral Atlas for Amateur Astronomers gives them everything else they’ll need, namely, a variety of documents and sample spectra for popular targets. It brings together the spectra for the main stellar classes, as well as spectra from stars at various stages of development (from protostars all the way through the stellar life cycle to their transformation into planetary nebulae, supernovae, or white dwarfs). The atlas also includes documents and spectra for star clusters, extragalactic objects, and emission nebulae. Pair this book with Marc F. M. Trypsteen and Richard Walker’s Spectroscopy for Amateur Astronomers and you’ll have a comprehensive package on spectroscopy.' S. N. Johnson-Roehr, Sky & Telescope: The Essential Guide to Astronomy

'… a very good atlas that students, from undergraduate to Ph.D., and instructors will find handy for a quick reference.' B. Ishak, Contemporary Physics

From the Publisher