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Asteroids and Dwarf Planets and How to Observe Them

  • Book
  • © 2010

Overview

Authors:
  1. Roger Dymock

    1. Waterlooville, United Kingdom

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  • Explains why dwarf planets and the larger asteroids are being studied in depth today
  • Provides background material for those who have been following the Dawn space mission
  • Helps prepare both experienced amateurs and newcomers in their efforts to detect and observe these bodies; the book can also serve as a handy reference for any astronomy library

Part of the book series: Astronomers' Observing Guides (OBSERVING)

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Table of contents (17 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiii
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  2. Asteroids and Dwarf Planets

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
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    2. Introduction

      • Roger Dymock
      Pages 3-7

    3. Small (and Not So Small) Solar System Bodies

      • Roger Dymock
      Pages 9-17

    4. Groups and Families

      • Roger Dymock
      Pages 19-31

    5. The Nature of Asteroids and Dwarf Planets

      • Roger Dymock
      Pages 33-47

    6. Origins and Evolution

      • Roger Dymock
      Pages 49-58

    7. Impact?

      • Roger Dymock
      Pages 59-69

  3. Observing Guide

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 71-71
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    2. Observatories

      • Roger Dymock
      Pages 73-83

    3. Visual Observing

      • Roger Dymock
      Pages 85-97

    4. Webcam and DSLR Imaging

      • Roger Dymock
      Pages 99-107

    5. Astrometry Tools and Techniques

      • Roger Dymock
      Pages 109-122

    6. Astrometry Projects

      • Roger Dymock
      Pages 123-138

    7. Lightcurve Photometry Tools and Techniques

      • Roger Dymock
      Pages 139-156

    8. Lightcurve Photometry Projects

      • Roger Dymock
      Pages 157-169

    9. Absolute Magnitude

      • Roger Dymock
      Pages 171-180

    10. Occultations

      • Roger Dymock
      Pages 181-193

    11. On-Line Image Analysis

      • Roger Dymock
      Pages 195-203

    12. A Final Word

      • Roger Dymock
      Pages 205-207
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Keywords

About this book

Dwarf planets (which were formerly called asteroids except for the planet Pluto), and the smaller Solar System bodies still called asteroids today, are making front page news, particularly those that are newly discovered and those that might present a hazard to life on Earth by impacting our planet. In this age of giant telescopes and space probes, these small Solar System bodies have advanced from being tiny points of light to bodies worthy of widespread study. This book describes the dwarf planets and asteroids themselves, their origins, orbits, and composition, and at how amateur astronomers can play a part in their detection, tracking, and imaging. The book is divided into two parts. Part I describes physical properties (including taxonomic types) of dwarf planets and asteroids, how they formed in the early life of the Solar System, and how they evolved to their present positions, groups, and families. It also covers the properties used to define these small Solar System bodies: magnitude, rotation rates (described by their light-curves), and orbital characteristics. Part II opens with a description of the hardware and software an amateur or practical astronomer needs to observe and also to image asteroids. Then numerous observing techniques are covered in depth. Finally, there are lists of relevant amateur and professional organizations and how to submit your own observations to them.

Reviews

From the reviews:

“A step-by-step guide to visual observing shows how to find and follow asteroid images. … Dymock’s book is full of good illustrations, many in colour. … the book is a broad overview of current asteroid science … . it will give interested amateurs some good ideas about how they could contribute, and will point them to sources of more detailed information. Heartily recommended.” (Edward Bowell, Journal of British Astronomical Association, Vol. 121 (2), 2011)

“Roger Dymock has all the knowledge necessary to instruct a newcomer in the art of asteroid observing. Fortunately, he has had the patience to assemble this excellent observing manual for any potential student of minor planets and the more distant dwarf planets too. Owning the book is like having Roger as your personal mentor. … Roger’s book ‘does exactly what it says on the tin’ and will be invaluable to all asteroid observers, even those with some mileage on the clock.” (Martin Mobberley, Astronomy Now, June, 2011)

“Dymock, an accomplished optical observer, asteroids offer the opportunity for amateur astronomers to enjoy challenging celestial targets and to augment the scientific research of professional astronomers. … guides readers through the modern technology and software with step-by-step instructions, and includes an exhaustive set of references to related Web sites. This is a truly outstanding manual for anyone who has an interest in studying these relics of the birth of the solar system. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Primarily amateur astronomers, but also lower-division undergraduates and professionals/practitioners.” (D. E. Hogg, Choice, Vol. 48 (10), June, 2011)

“You get two books for the price of one here. The first 60 pages gives the formal definitions of small Solar System bodies … . The remaining two-thirds of the book discusses how the amateur can observe these objects. … There are certainly manyexcellent hints and tips. … Relevant websites, software packages, and books are listed in the Appendices – and there are useful links to sources where you can select your own targets. … I like this book.” (Fiona Vincent, The Observatory, Vol. 132 (1226), February, 2012)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Waterlooville, United Kingdom

    Roger Dymock

About the author

Roger Dymock lives in Hampshire, England. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. His published work includes Journal of the BAA: “The Observapod – a GRP observatory”; Minor Planet Bulletin, No. 32 2005: “Lightcurve of 423 Diotima”; Sky at Night magazine: “How to track an asteroid”; and Journal of the BAA: “A method for determining the V magnitude of asteroids from CCD images” (jointly with Dr Richard Miles).

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