Rare Astronomical Sights and Sounds [electronic resource] /
Powell, Jonathan.author.
The universe contains many unusual sights and sounds, most of which are either very difficult to witness or simply go unnoticed. With the right tools, time, and location, some of the often talked about but seldom seen and heard gems in our skies can finally be observed. This book introduces readers to the rare and ephemeral happenings above our heads. It offers a crash course in astronomical history, detailing the observations, assumptions, and inventions of different cultures over time as they turned their studies to the stars. Using this as a baseline to redefine truly "rare" occurrences, Jonathan Powell then provides modern-day astronomers at all levels with pointers for what they can witness and when. From phenomena as old and far-off as a supernova witnessed a thousand years ago, and as recent and nearby as Sputnik's famous beeping, this book covers everything that one must know to see, hear, and appreciate the astronomical events happening around us.
Chapter 1: Introduction: From the Past, into the Present, and onto the Future -- Chapter 2: The Many Wonders of the Cosmos -- Chapter 3: Archaeoastronomy Part I -- Chapter 4: Archaeoastronomy Part II -- Chapter 5: Observation and Equipment -- Chapter 6: The More Obscure Sights -- Chapter 7: The Time, the Place -- Chapter 8: Atmospheric Factors and Features -- Chapter 9: The Noisy Universe -- Chapter 10: Theoretical Part I -- Chapter 11: Theoretical Part II -- Glossary -- Index.
The universe contains many unusual sights and sounds, most of which are either very difficult to witness or simply go unnoticed. With the right tools, time, and location, some of the often talked about but seldom seen and heard gems in our skies can finally be observed. This book introduces readers to the rare and ephemeral happenings above our heads. It offers a crash course in astronomical history, detailing the observations, assumptions, and inventions of different cultures over time as they turned their studies to the stars. Using this as a baseline to redefine truly "rare" occurrences, Jonathan Powell then provides modern-day astronomers at all levels with pointers for what they can witness and when. From phenomena as old and far-off as a supernova witnessed a thousand years ago, and as recent and nearby as Sputnik's famous beeping, this book covers everything that one must know to see, hear, and appreciate the astronomical events happening around us.
Astronomy.
Observations, Astronomical.
Astronomy—Observations.
Space sciences.
Popular Science in Astronomy.
Astronomy, Observations and Techniques.
Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Exploration and Astronautics).