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Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs

  • Book
  • © 2011

Overview

Authors:
  1. Ken M. Harrison

    1. Cobham, United Kingdom

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  • Describes exciting astronomical spectroscopic projects that can be realistically carried out by amateurs
  • Provides clear step-by-step instructions to allow the first time user to record and analyze stellar spectra
  • Contains full do-it-yourself construction details for both simple and complex stellar spectroscopes
  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Part of the book series: The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series (PATRICKMOORE)

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Table of contents (16 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiii
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  2. Introduction to Spectroscopy

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
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    2. Early Experiments in Spectroscopy

      • Ken M. Harrison
      Pages 3-8

    3. A History of Astronomical Spectroscopy

      • Ken M. Harrison
      Pages 9-14

    4. Theory of Spectra

      • Ken M. Harrison
      Pages 15-34

    5. Prisms, Gratings and Spectroscopes

      • Ken M. Harrison
      Pages 35-44

    6. Types of Spectroscopes

      • Ken M. Harrison
      Pages 45-53

  3. Obtaining and Analyzing Spectra

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 55-55
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    2. Setting Up the Spectroscope

      • Ken M. Harrison
      Pages 57-63

    3. Using Spectroscopes in the Converging Beam

      • Ken M. Harrison
      Pages 65-72

    4. Reflection Grating Spectroscopes

      • Ken M. Harrison
      Pages 73-85

    5. Cameras and CCD’s

      • Ken M. Harrison
      Pages 87-95

    6. Processing Spectra

      • Ken M. Harrison
      Pages 97-109

    7. Amateur Spectroscope Projects

      • Ken M. Harrison
      Pages 111-130

  4. Spectroscope Design and Construction

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 131-131
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    2. Design Basics

      • Ken M. Harrison
      Pages 133-165

    3. Prism Spectroscope Designs

      • Ken M. Harrison
      Pages 167-173

    4. Transmission Grating Spectroscope Designs

      • Ken M. Harrison
      Pages 175-193

    5. Reflection Grating Spectroscope Designs

      • Ken M. Harrison
      Pages 195-217

    6. Guiding, OAG, Beamsplitters, and Flip Mirrors

      • Ken M. Harrison
      Pages 219-228
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Keywords

About this book

Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs is a complete guide for amateur astronomers who are looking for a new challenge. After a brief overview of the development of spectroscopes and an introduction to the theory of stellar spectra, the book goes on to examine the various types of spectroscopes available to amateurs. Next, practical sections address all aspects of setting-up and using various types of commercially-available and home-built spectroscopes. A final part gives detailed instructions for the design and construction of three different spectroscopes, along with the necessary design theory (minimal math). The home-made spectroscopes have performance capabilities near or equal to commercial units but are constructed using basic hand tools for a fraction of the cost! This up-to-date practical spectroscopy book will enable amateur astronomers to develop the skills and equipment needed to prepare scientifically acceptable spectra data, and to make a valuable contribution to ProAm projects.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Cobham, United Kingdom

    Ken M. Harrison

About the author

Ken Harrison was born in Scotland where he trained as a mechanical engineer. He has been designing and building telescopes since the early 1960’s and has built a series of spectroscopes for use on medium sized amateur telescopes. He was Section Director of the Astronomical Society of Victoria, Australia, Astrophotographic Section for ten years and past President of the Society. Harrison’s university thesis (and his first publication) was Design and Construction of the Isaac Newton 98-inch Telescope (Strathclyde University, 1970). Since then he has published many articles on optical design, including “Blink Comparison” (BAA Journal Vol87, p94) and “Method of Radially Supporting Large Mirrors” (Vol87, p154). He has made contributions to the Astronomical Society of Victoria Newsletter and was for three years the Editor of the ‘N’Daba’ newsletter of the Natal Centre, Astronomical Society of Southern Africa.

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