Artificial Satellites and How to Observe Them, Authors: Schmude, Jr., Richard

Astronomers' Observing Guides provide up-to-date information for amateur astronomers who want to know all about what it is they are observing. This is the basis for the first part of the book. The second part details observing techniques for practical astronomers, working with a range of different instruments.

Every amateur astronomer sees "stars" that aren't natural objects steadily slide across the background of the sky. Artificial satellites can be seen on any night, and some are as bright as the planets. But can you identify which satellite or spent launch vehicle casing you are seeing? Do you know how to image it?

Artificial Satellites and How to Observe Them describes all of the different satellites that can be observed, including communication, scientific, spy satellites, and of course, the International Space Station. Richard Schmude describes how to recognize them and even how to predict their orbits. The book tells how to observe artificial satellites with the unaided eye, binoculars and with telescopes. Many images of artificial satellites taken from Earth are included.

Artificial satellites have changed since the beginning of the twenty-first century. Several additional countries have launched them. And amateur astronomers have utilized digital cameras to image satellites to a resolution of about 1 meter.

Readers of astronomy magazines are aware of these developments but will want to get the complete story. Here it is! Artificial Satellites and How to Observe Them is a detailed and up-to-date overview of artificial satellites. Amateur astronomers will even find out how to make useful scientific observations and join the worldwide community of satellite observers, both professional and amateur, and how to log their work.

Here is a volume that should be a welcome addition to any amateur astronomer's personal library. With it in hand, you can begin sampling right away some of the most interesting manmade objects in the sky.