Spectroscopy: The Key to the Stars - (Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy) by Keith Robinson (Paperback)

About the Book

This is the first non-technical book on spectroscopy written specifically for practical amateur astronomers. It includes all the science necessary for a qualitative understanding of stellar spectra, but avoids a mathematical treatment.

Book Synopsis

Most amateur astronomers may know about red shift, and have a general idea of the ways that stellar spectra provide insight into the atomic processes of the star, but detailed knowledge is unusual. This is because most available books are pitched at professional astronomers and college-level students, and are difficult to read. This is the first non-technical book on spectroscopy, written specifically for practical amateur astronomers. It includes all the science needed for a qualitative understanding of stellar spectra, but avoids bogging down in heavy math. It's the only book written for the amateur astronomer interested in and doing observational spectroscopy, who wants a non-technical account of the physical processes that determine the intensity and profile morphology of lines in stellar spectra. Of course, "armchair astronomers" who simply want to understand the physical processes which shape lines in stellar spectra will find this book equally fascinating.

From the Back Cover

More can be learned about physical processes going on in stars and nebulae by understanding and analyzing their spectra than by any other means.

Many amateur astronomers who use CCD cameras are taking up spectroscopy as part of their observational program, but until now the physics that underlies astronomical spectroscopy has been confined to advanced academic books.

Not any more!

In Spectroscopy - the Key to the Stars, Keith Robinson describes the physics and physical processes that cause the stellar spectra to be as they are... spectra that amateur astronomers can image with today's commercially-made equipment. Written specifically for amateur astronomers, this book assumes only a basic knowledge of physics but looks in detail at many topics, including energy levels in atoms, the molecular spectra of red stars, emission lines in nebulae, and much, much more.

Here is everything you need to know about how the atomic processes in stars and nebulae produce the spectra that amateur astronomers can image, and why spectroscopy is such a powerful tool for astronomers.

Review Quotes

From the reviews:

"If you ever wondered what the big deal is about spectroscopy or wished you understood it a little better, this book's for you. Robinson takes a step-by-step approach to spectroscopy, each chapter building on the ones before it. ... The book is a worthy addition to any advanced amateur astronomer's library." (Michael Bakich, Astronomy, February, 2007)

"In this informative monograph, Robinson (Royal Astronomical Society) explains the basic concepts in terms that a general reader can master. Topics such as the characteristic radiation expected to be emitted by atoms, by ionized gas, and by molecules are addressed using illustrations and word descriptions of the physical processes. ... the interested reader will find this book a stimulating introduction. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers; lower-division undergraduates." (D. E. Hogg, CHOICE, Vol. 44 (11), July, 2007)

"In Spectroscopy: The Key to the Stars, Keith Robinson makes spectroscopy approachable for those who are interested in expanding their observational repertoire. ... Not only is this a good read for any observer thinking of taking up spectroscopy, but it's also suitable for high school or first-year college students in astronomy and physics." (Carolyn Collins Petersen, Sky & Telescope, Vol. 115 (1), January, 2008)

"This is a small book (160 pages) written for amateur astronomers who use CCD cameras and include spectroscopy as part of their observational program. The main purpose of the book is to describe the physics and the physical processes behind the stellar spectra. ... the topics considered are clearly and concisely described. The amateur astronomers, who are not familiar with physics or who have forgotten the essentials of this science, will read it ... with interest and pleasure." (Emile Biemont, Physicalia Magazine, Vol. 29 (4), 2007)

About the Author

Keith Robinson obtained a degree in physics from the University of Lancaster, and is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.