This comprehensive guide to buying, testing, and using a refracting telescopeis written mainly for amateur astronomers who already own or are intending topurchase a refracting telescope. Refractors, which use lenses rather than mirrors as the objective to form the image, still retain a dominance over reflectors for many applications because of the precision of their optics and lack ofa central obstruction in the optical path. There has been a huge increase in the popularity of commercially made refractors during the last few years. NeilEnglish – a well-known observer and astronomy writer – outlines the history of the refracting telescope and looks in detail at the instruments, their evolution, and their use. Provides an in-depth look at classic and contemporary refractors from many different manufacturers, and explains how to use them Compares not only different classes of refractor but also different telescopes available from each class Includes lots of relevant information for non-astronomical observers, such as birdwatchers and nature photographers INDICE: Acknowledgments.- Introduction.- About the Author.- Part 1: The Achromatic Refractor.- Chapter 1: The Refracting Telescope - A Brief History.- Chapter 2: The Classical Achromatic.- Chapter 3: Rich-Field Achromats.- Chapter4: Long Focus Achromats.- Chapter 5: Big Guns.- Chapter 6: Going Retro.- PartII: The Apochromatic Refractor.- Chapter 7: The APO Revolution.- Chapter 8: Doublet Apos.- Chapter 9: Sports Optics.- Chapter 10: Triplet Apos.- Chapter 11: Four Element Apos.- Chapter 12: Refractor Kit.- Chapter 13: Observing Platforms.- Chapter 14: Testing your Refractor.- Chapter 15: Photography with your Refractor.- Chapter 16: Looking Back, Looking Forward.- Appendix A: Refractor Design Through the Centuries.- Appendix B: Double Star Tests for Refractors of Various Apertures.- Appendix C: Useful Formulae.- Appendix D: Glossary.- Index
- ISBN: 978-1-4419-6402-1
- Editorial: Springer
- Encuadernacion: Rústica
- Páginas: 261
- Fecha Publicación: 29/09/2010
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: Inglés