The 20-cm Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope: A Practical Observing Guide

by Peter L. Manly

Overview

The 20-cm (8-in) Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is the most popular telescope in the world. This compact instrument revolutionized amateur astronomy and astrophotography, and more than ten thousand are purchased each year. Manly, a devotee and keen user of the Schmidt-Cassegrain, takes the telescope owner, in easy stages, through all aspects of using the telescope. He starts with techniques for viewing the Moon, then takes the observer through our planetary system, and on to the deep sky, where nebulae and galaxies are treated extensively. There are interesting projects to try, such as observing the nearest star and chasing eclipses. The book describes a full range of telescope accessories and detectors together with advice on their use. The 40-page appendix is packed with hard-to-find practical information. Peter Manly is the author of Unusual Telescopes (CUP, 1992).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521644419
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	10/14/1999
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	284
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 8.94(h) x 0.71(d)

Table of Contents

List of illustrations; Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. History and development of the 20-cm Schmidt-Cassegrain; 2. First observation - the Moon; 3. Planets, double stars and other bright things; 4. Deep sky; 5. A couple of interesting problems; 6. Some accessories for the telescope; 7. Observing with friends; 8. Projects; 9. Photography; 10. Photometers, computers, image intensifiers and television; 11. Afterword; Ten appendices; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"...walks the reader through all sorts of projects, gives tips on photography, and presents a survey of accessories useful for both types of activities. Appendices tell the reader how to polar align, collimate, and clean the telescope...this book does an excellent job in conveying the 8-inch SCT's exciting potential. People who own, or are planning to buy, this type of scope will want to examine this book." Astronomy

"...does an exceptional job in conveying the 8-inch SCT's exciting potential. People who own, or are planning to buy, this type of scope will want to examine this book." Astronomy

From the Publisher