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Asteroids and Dwarf Planets and How to Observe Them

Author: Roger Dymock

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2010-11-01

Total Pages: 246

ISBN-13: 1441964398

Dwarf planets (which were formerly called asteroids except for the planet Pluto), and the smaller Solar System bodies still called asteroids today, are making front page news, particularly those that are newly discovered and those that might present a hazard to life on Earth by impacting our planet. In this age of giant telescopes and space probes, these small Solar System bodies have advanced from being tiny points of light to bodies worthy of widespread study. This book describes the dwarf planets and asteroids themselves, their origins, orbits, and composition, and at how amateur astronomers can play a part in their detection, tracking, and imaging. The book is divided into two parts. Part I describes physical properties (including taxonomic types) of dwarf planets and asteroids, how they formed in the early life of the Solar System, and how they evolved to their present positions, groups, and families. It also covers the properties used to define these small Solar System bodies: magnitude, rotation rates (described by their light-curves), and orbital characteristics. Part II opens with a description of the hardware and software an amateur or practical astronomer needs to observe and also to image asteroids. Then numerous observing techniques are covered in depth. Finally, there are lists of relevant amateur and professional organizations and how to submit your own observations to them.

Asteroids and How to Observe Them

Author: Lawrence Garrett

Publisher:

Published: 2008-07-01

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 9780387765471

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Asteroids, particularly those that might present a hazard to life on Earth by impacting our planet, are important. In this age of giant telescopes (Keck and Hubble) and space probes (NEAR) the minor planets have advanced from being tiny points of light to front-page news when they approach Earth. This book looks at the asteroids (minor planets) themselves, their origins, orbits and composition, and at how amateur astronomers can play a part in their detection, tracking and imaging. It begins with a short review of the asteroids themselves, such as the "big four" and a few other highlights a?? objects such as close-approach objects, and some distant and historical types. The book then reviews the beginnings of serious observations by amateurs, and the start of the ALPOa??s Minor Planet Section and Minor Planet Bulletin (MPB) . The second part of the book is designed to help the reader become part of the community of serious minor planet observers. This does not mean setting goals of getting every reader to do research, but rather to supply readers with enough hard information to allow them to join the Pro/Am minor planet community and contribute in the way they prefer. It describes Internet options and key sites, software recommendations, and even how to use charts well at the telescope eyepiece. First time projects for those who have never seen an asteroid explain everything needed for spotting asteroids and keeping records of sightings. This is not a book only for observers who can spend thousands of dollars on telescopes and do world-class work, but is also a manual for newcomers: new visual observers who may be tomorrowa??s groundbreakers.

Asteroid Hunters

Author: Carrie Nugent

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2017-03-14

Total Pages: 128

ISBN-13: 1501120093

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For the first time, scientists could have the knowledge to prevent a natural disaster epic in scale—an asteroid hitting the earth and in this exciting, adventuresome book, Carrie Nugent explains how. What are asteroids, and where do they come from? And, most urgently: Are they going to hit the Earth? What would happen if one was on its way? Carrie Nugent is an asteroid hunter—part of a group of scientists working to map our cosmic neighborhood. For the first time ever, we are reaching the point where we may be able to prevent the horrible natural disaster that would result from an asteroid collision. In Asteroid Hunters, Nugent reveals what known impact asteroids have had: the extinction of the dinosaurs, the earth-sized hole Shoemaker Levy 9 left in Jupiter just a few decades ago, how the meteorite that bursted over Chelyabinsk in Russia could have started a war, and unlucky Ms. Anne Hodges—the only person (that we know of) in US history to be the victim of a direct hit. Nugent also introduces the telescope she uses to detect near-Earth asteroids. Ultimately, detection is the key to preventing asteroid impact, and these specialized scientists are working to prevent the unthinkable from happening. If successful, asteroid hunting will lead to the first natural disaster humans have the know-how and the technology to prevent. The successful hunt and mapping of asteroids could mean nothing less than saving life on earth.

Asteroids and Dwarf Planets and How to Observe Them

Author: Roger Dymock

Publisher:

Published: 2010

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9781441964403

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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 of the first part of the book. The second part details observing techniques for practical astronomers, working with a range of different instruments. -- We live in a violent universe. The media constantly remind us of the possibility of an object suddenly appearing and hitting Earth. A hit by an asteroid is believed to have spelled the end of the dinosaurs. Such a collision by an object from space could cause another extinction event, if the object were large enough. And such objects are definitely out there. Often called "the vermin of the sky," asteroids roam our Solar System often unseen. Many have been tracked, and their orbits calculated. But there are still many to be discovered and assessed. Many amateur astronomers are helping in this effort, sometimes even working with professional astronomers, to contribute to our knowledge and avert danger. Some people just enjoying locating these or the dwarf planets, such as Pluto, and then following their paths. Whatever your interest, Asteroids and Dwarf Planets and How to Observe Them will help you get started. It will tell you what you are looking at and why you should look. It will also help you learn how to look. This is definitely an area where amateurs can make a difference. Roger Dymock, in clear, engaging language can help you get started right now!

Near-Earth Objects

Author: Donald K. Yeomans

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2016-11-08

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 0691173338

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An insider's look at the science of near-Earth comets and asteroids Of all the natural disasters that could befall us, only an Earth impact by a large comet or asteroid has the potential to end civilization in a single blow. Yet these near-Earth objects also offer tantalizing clues to our solar system's origins, and someday could even serve as stepping-stones for space exploration. In this book, Donald Yeomans introduces readers to the science of near-Earth objects—its history, applications, and ongoing quest to find near-Earth objects before they find us. In its course around the sun, the Earth passes through a veritable shooting gallery of millions of nearby comets and asteroids. One such asteroid is thought to have plunged into our planet sixty-five million years ago, triggering a global catastrophe that killed off the dinosaurs. Yeomans provides an up-to-date and accessible guide for understanding the threats posed by near-Earth objects, and also explains how early collisions with them delivered the ingredients that made life on Earth possible. He shows how later impacts spurred evolution, allowing only the most adaptable species to thrive—in fact, we humans may owe our very existence to objects that struck our planet. Yeomans takes readers behind the scenes of today’s efforts to find, track, and study near-Earth objects. He shows how the same comets and asteroids most likely to collide with us could also be mined for precious natural resources like water and oxygen, and used as watering holes and fueling stations for expeditions to Mars and the outermost reaches of our solar system.

Asteroids IV

Author: Patrick Michel

Publisher: University of Arizona Press

Published: 2015-12-31

Total Pages: 946

ISBN-13: 0816532133

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"More than forty chapters detail our current astronomical, compositional, geological, and geophysical knowledge of asteroids, as well as their unique physical processes and interrelationships with comets and meteorites"--Provided by publisher.

Asteroid Rendezvous

Author: Jim Bell

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2002-08

Total Pages: 146

ISBN-13: 9780521813600

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An account of NASA's dramatic NEAR mission to the asteroid Eros by scientists involved.

Asteroids

Author: Clifford J. Cunningham

Publisher: Reaktion Books

Published: 2021-05-19

Total Pages: 191

ISBN-13: 1789143594

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Grounded in historical studies of asteroids from the nineteenth century, Asteroids is a fully up-to-date view of these remarkable objects. Without resorting to any technical diagrams or mathematics, Clifford J. Cunningham shows that asteroids are not just rocks in space, but key to understanding the life and death on Earth of both animals and humans. From space missions to the asteroids’ starring role in literature and film, Cunningham precisely and entertainingly looks at the place asteroids have in our solar system and how they affect our daily lives.

Killer Rocks from Outer Space

Author: Steven N. Koppes

Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books

Published: 2004-01-01

Total Pages: 124

ISBN-13: 9780822528616

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Describes the role that collisions with meteors, comets, and asteroids have played in the history of Earth and other planets in the solar system and examines what is being done to protect Earth from future collisions.

Meteors and How to Observe Them

Author: Robert Lunsford

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2009-02-19

Total Pages: 198

ISBN-13: 038709461X

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In this era of high-tech instruments, meteor observing is the one facet of astr- omy that needs nothing more than your naked eye. Meteors can be easily seen without the aid of cameras, binoculars, or telescopes. Just ? nd a comfortable chair and lie back and watch for the surprises that await high above you. It is a great way to involve the family in science where everyone is active at the same time, not wa- ing to take turns at the eyepiece. The kids especially enjoy the hunt for “shooting stars,” oohing and ahing at each streak of light that crosses the sky. While gazing upwards, it is also a great way to get more familiar with the sky by learning the constellations and seeing if you can see the warrior among the stars of Orion or the scorpion among the stars of Scorpius. Until just recently, one could simply go outside and watch for meteors from his or her yard. Unfortunately, humankind’s fear of the dark and the widespread use of lighting as advertisement have lit the nighttime scene in urban areas so that only the brightest stars are visible. Serious meteor observing under such conditions is nearly impossible as the more numerous faint meteors are now lost in the glare of urban skies. Today, a serious meteor observing session entails organizing an outing to a country site where the stars can be seen in all their glory and meteors of all magnitudes can be viewed.