Amateur astronomy has changed beyond recognition in less than two decades. The reason is, of course, technology. Affordable high-quality telescopes, computer-controlled ''go to'' mountings, autoguiders, CCD cameras, video, and (as always) computers and the Internet, are just a few of the advances that have revolutionized astronomy for the twenty-first century. Martin Mobberley first looks at the basics before going into an in-depth study of what’s available commercially. He then moves on to the revolutionary possibilities that are open to amateurs, from imaging, through spectroscopy and photometry, to patrolling for near-earth objects - the search for comets and asteroids that may come close to, or even hit, the earth. The New Amateur Astronomer is a road map of the new astronomy, equally suitable for newcomers who want an introduction, or old hands who need to keep abreast of innovations.

From the reviews:

"This is one of several dozen books in Patrick Moore''s "Practical Astronomy" series. Amid this large family, Mobberley finds his niche: the beginning high-tech amateur. The book''s first half discusses equipment: computer-driven telescopes, CCD cameras, imaging processing software, etc. This market is changing every bit as rapidly as the computer world, so these details will be current for only a year or two. The rest of the book offers an overview of scientific projects that serious amateurs are carrying out these days. Throughout, basic formulas and technical terms are provided as needed, without formal derivations. An appendix with useful references and Web sites is also included. Readers will need more than this book if they are considering a plunge into high-tech amateur astronomy, but it certainly will whet their appetites. Mobberley''s most valuable advice will save the book''s owner many times its cover price: buy a quality telescope from a reputable dealer and install it in a simple shelter so it can be used with aslittle set-up time as possible. A poor purchase choice and the hassle of setting up are why most fancy telescopes gather dust in their owners'' dens. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers; lower- and upper-division undergraduates."( T. D. Oswalt, CHOICE, March 2005)

In the last few years, cheap webcams have revolutionized amateur astronomy by providing a very inexpensive alternative to purpose-made astronomical CCD cameras, which use refrigerated imaging chips and are thus extremely expensive. Webcams are capable of more advanced work than ''normal'' digital cameras because their simple construction makes it easy to remove the webcam''s lens, allowing it to be interfaced directly to a telescope. Using a webcam is not difficult but most amateur astronomers who have tried to do this do not achieve the finest results, despite the webcam''s potential. There are numerous imaging and image processing tricks and techniques, and all of them are needed to get the best results.

Along with webcam technology has come simple-to-use image processing and enhancement using a PC: the most powerful technique is, ''stacking'' in which the best images (out of hundreds) are selected and summed automatically to provide startlingly good results.

"Lunar and Planetary Webcam User’s Guide" de-mystifies the jargon of webcams and computer processing, and provides detailed hints and tips for imaging the Sun, Moon and planets with a webcam. He looks at each observing target separately, describing and explaining all specialised techniques in context.

Glance through the images in this book to see just how much you can – easily – achieve by using a webcam with your telescope!

In meno di due decenni l’astronomia amatoriale ha cambiato volto. Il motivo, naturalmente, è il progresso tecnologico. Telescopi economici, ma di alta qualità, montature "go-to" controllate dal computer, autoguide, camere CCD, videocamere e (come sempre) computer e Internet sono soltanto alcuni degli elementi che hanno rivoluzionato l’astronomia del XXI secolo. Non solo hanno reso l’astronomia amatoriale più "amichevole" e divertente, ma hanno anche ampliato enormemente le potenzialità dell’astrofilo.

Martin Mobberley dapprima affronta le tematiche di base per poi analizzare in modo approfondito quali sono gli strumenti disponibili sul mercato. Da qui prende le mosse per passare in rassegna le rivoluzionarie possibilità che si aprono per gli astrofili, dalla ripresa di immagini, alla spettroscopia, alla fotometria, alla sorveglianza degli oggetti Near-Earth – comete e asteroidi che possono avvicinarsi pericolosamente alla Terra.

L’astrofilo moderno è una valida guida alla nuova astronomia. Sia il neofita che chiede di essere introdotto in questo campo, sia l’astrofilo esperto che voglia tenersi al passo delle innovazioni troveranno in questo libro ciò che fa per loro.

Amateur astronomy has changed beyond recognition in less than two decades. The reason is, of course, technology. Affordable high-quality telescopes, computer-controlled ''go to'' mountings, autoguiders, CCD cameras, video, and (as always) computers and the Internet, are just a few of the advances that have revolutionized astronomy for the twenty-first century. Martin Mobberley first looks at the basics before going into an in-depth study of what’s available commercially. He then moves on to the revolutionary possibilities that are open to amateurs, from imaging, through spectroscopy and photometry, to patrolling for near-earth objects - the search for comets and asteroids that may come close to, or even hit, the earth. The New Amateur Astronomer is a road map of the new astronomy, equally suitable for newcomers who want an introduction, or old hands who need to keep abreast of innovations.

From the reviews:

"This is one of several dozen books in Patrick Moore''s "Practical Astronomy" series. Amid this large family, Mobberley finds his niche: the beginning high-tech amateur. The book''s first half discusses equipment: computer-driven telescopes, CCD cameras, imaging processing software, etc. This market is changing every bit as rapidly as the computer world, so these details will be current for only a year or two. The rest of the book offers an overview of scientific projects that serious amateurs are carrying out these days. Throughout, basic formulas and technical terms are provided as needed, without formal derivations. An appendix with useful references and Web sites is also included. Readers will need more than this book if they are considering a plunge into high-tech amateur astronomy, but it certainly will whet their appetites. Mobberley''s most valuable advice will save the book''s owner many times its cover price: buy a quality telescope from a reputable dealer and install it in a simple shelter so it can be used with aslittle set-up time as possible. A poor purchase choice and the hassle of setting up are why most fancy telescopes gather dust in their owners'' dens. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers; lower- and upper-division undergraduates."( T. D. Oswalt, CHOICE, March 2005)

In the last few years, cheap webcams have revolutionized amateur astronomy by providing a very inexpensive alternative to purpose-made astronomical CCD cameras, which use refrigerated imaging chips and are thus extremely expensive. Webcams are capable of more advanced work than ''normal'' digital cameras because their simple construction makes it easy to remove the webcam''s lens, allowing it to be interfaced directly to a telescope. Using a webcam is not difficult but most amateur astronomers who have tried to do this do not achieve the finest results, despite the webcam''s potential. There are numerous imaging and image processing tricks and techniques, and all of them are needed to get the best results.

Along with webcam technology has come simple-to-use image processing and enhancement using a PC: the most powerful technique is, ''stacking'' in which the best images (out of hundreds) are selected and summed automatically to provide startlingly good results.

"Lunar and Planetary Webcam User’s Guide" de-mystifies the jargon of webcams and computer processing, and provides detailed hints and tips for imaging the Sun, Moon and planets with a webcam. He looks at each observing target separately, describing and explaining all specialised techniques in context.

Glance through the images in this book to see just how much you can – easily – achieve by using a webcam with your telescope!

In meno di due decenni l’astronomia amatoriale ha cambiato volto. Il motivo, naturalmente, è il progresso tecnologico. Telescopi economici, ma di alta qualità, montature "go-to" controllate dal computer, autoguide, camere CCD, videocamere e (come sempre) computer e Internet sono soltanto alcuni degli elementi che hanno rivoluzionato l’astronomia del XXI secolo. Non solo hanno reso l’astronomia amatoriale più "amichevole" e divertente, ma hanno anche ampliato enormemente le potenzialità dell’astrofilo.

Martin Mobberley dapprima affronta le tematiche di base per poi analizzare in modo approfondito quali sono gli strumenti disponibili sul mercato. Da qui prende le mosse per passare in rassegna le rivoluzionarie possibilità che si aprono per gli astrofili, dalla ripresa di immagini, alla spettroscopia, alla fotometria, alla sorveglianza degli oggetti Near-Earth – comete e asteroidi che possono avvicinarsi pericolosamente alla Terra.

L’astrofilo moderno è una valida guida alla nuova astronomia. Sia il neofita che chiede di essere introdotto in questo campo, sia l’astrofilo esperto che voglia tenersi al passo delle innovazioni troveranno in questo libro ciò che fa per loro.