David Levy's guide to eclipses, transits, and occultations / David H. Levy.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Levy, David H., 1948- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Eclipses.

Transits.

Occultations.

Astronomy--Technique.

Astronomy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (vi, 177 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Other Title:

David Levy's Guide to Eclipses, Transits, & Occultations

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

In this simple guide, David Levy inspires readers to experience the wonder of eclipses and other transient astronomical events for themselves. Covering both solar and lunar eclipses, he gives step-by-step instructions on how to observe and photograph eclipses. As well as explaining the science behind eclipses, the book also gives their historical background, discussing how they were observed in the past and what we have learned from them. This personal account contains examples from the 77 eclipses the author has witnessed himself. The guide also includes chapters on occultations of stars and planets by the Moon and of asteroids by stars, and the transits of Mercury and Venus. Tables of future eclipses make this invaluable for anyone, from beginners to practised observers, wanting to learn more about these fascinating events.

Contents:

pt. 1. The magic and history of eclipses. Shakespeare, King Lear, and the great eclipse of 1605 ; Einstein, relativity, and the solar eclipse of 1919 ; What causes solar and lunar eclipses

pt. 2. Observing solar eclipses. Safety considerations during a solar eclipse ; What to expect during a partial eclipse of the sun ; A ring of fire ; A total eclipse of the sun : an introduction to the magic ; The onset of totality ; Observing a total eclipse of the sun ; Solar eclipse photography

pt. 3. Eclipses of the moon. Don't forget penumbral lunar eclipses! ; Partial lunar eclipses ; Observing a total eclipse of the moon ; Photographing an eclipse of the moon

pt. 4. Occultations. When the moon occults a star or a planet

pt. 5. Transits. Transits : when planets cross the sun

pt. 6. My favorite eclipses. A personal canon of eclipses, transits, and occultations I have seen

Appendixes. A. Solar and lunar eclipses due between 2010 and 2024 ; B. A glossary of appropriate terms ; C. Resources.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

0-511-78690-5

0-511-85037-9

1-107-20377-5

978-6-612-77045-6

0-511-78804-5

0-511-78950-5

0-511-78999-8

OCLC:

663861909