Description
Book SynopsisThis is a hands-on guide for both the budding astronomer in need of a mentor and the seasoned observer who wants to learn how to effectively share their knowledge with newcomers.
Through decades of teaching observational astronomy at the high school and college level, Dr. Daniel E. Barth has inspired thousands of beginners, and in this book he shares the many ways that you can learn and teach others, too. The chapters contain a plethora of practical projects in observational astronomy that can be done on your own or with others, delighting any hobbyist with the many wonders of the night sky.
The activities are tailored for different skill levels, always starting from the basics and working their way up to more challenging tasks. They can be done outdoors with a telescope or indoors with a few simple materials, depending on the sky conditions and time of year. Make astronomy fun for all with these engaging DIY projects, which include step-by-step instructions for modeling, sketching, observing, recording, and many other interactive exercises.
Appropriate for the amateur who wants to teach their passion, the beginner who has their very first telescope, the binocular owner, and even those who do not yet own equipment, Star Mentor is your guide to forming and sharing a lifelong love for astronomy.
Table of ContentsChapter 1: Becoming a Star Mentor
· What is a Star Mentor?
· Teaching to Learn
· How to be an Effective Mentor
· Capitalizing on Interest
· Activities Indoors and Out
· Setting Hearts Afire
Chapter 2: Teaching the Visual Sky
· Welcome to the ‘Bowl of Night’ – the Motions of the Sky
· Circumpolar Constellations
· Spring
· Summer
· Winter
· Fall
· The Zodiac
Chapter 3: Measuring the Sky
· The Poles and the Equator
· Measuring Distances and Angles
· The Ecliptic and the Galactic Plane
· Altitude-Azimuth Coordinates
· Right Ascension-Declination Coordinates
Chapter 4: Meet Your Neighbor – Learning about the Moon
· Exploring Lunar Phases
· Sunrise and Sunset on the Moon
· The Moon in Orbit
· Lunar Geography with Binoculars
· Lunar Surface Features with a Telescope
Chapter 5: Introducing the Inner Planets
· The Classic Planets and the Ecliptic
· Mercury – Observing Near the Sun
· Venus – Planetary Phases and the Heliocentric System
Chapter 6: Welcome to Mars
· Mars – Opposition and Observation
· Polar Caps
· Surface Features
· Sand Storms
Chapter 7: Discovering the Outer Planets
· Jupiter –
o Cloud Bands
o Storms Systems
o Moons – Orbits and Occultations
· Saturn –
o Rings and the Roche Limit
o Ring Gaps
o Many Moons
Chapter 8: Star Clusters and Nebulae
· Globular Clusters
· Open Clusters
· Star Forming Regions and Nebulosity
· Emission Nebulae
· Reflection Nebulae
Chapter 9: Galaxies
· The Milky Way
o Bright and Dark Regions
o The Galactic Plane
· The Andromeda Galaxy
· The Magellanic Clouds
· Other Deep Galaxies
Chapter 10: Telescopes for Beginners
· The Binocular
· The Newtonian Reflector
· The Galilean Refractor
· The Schmidt-Cassegrain
· The Alt-Az Mount
· The Equatorial Mount
· Computerized Mounts
