David Levy's guide to eclipses, transits, and occultations

Levy, David H. 1948- (Author).

Summary: "In this simple guide, David Levy inspires readers to experience the wonder of eclipses and other transient astronomical events for themselves. Covering both solar and lunar eclipses, he gives step-by-step instructions on how to observe and photograph eclipses. As well as explaining the science behind eclipses, the book also gives their historical background, discussing how they were observed in the past and what we have learned from them. This personal account contains examples from the 77 eclipses the author has witnessed himself. The guide also includes chapters on occultations of stars and planets by the Moon and of asteroids by stars, and the transits of Mercury and Venus. Tables of future eclipses make this invaluable for anyone, from beginners to practised observers, wanting to learn more about these fascinating events"--

Record details

ISBN: 9780521165518 (pbk.)
ISBN: 0521165512 (pbk.)
Physical Description: print
vi, 177 p. : ill. ; 25 cm.
Publisher: Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2010.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

pt. 1. The magic and history of eclipses. Shakespeare, King Lear, and the great eclipse of 1605 ; Einstein, relativity, and the solar eclipse of 1919 ; What causes solar and lunar eclipses -- pt. 2. Observing solar eclipses. Safety considerations during a solar eclipse ; What to expect during a partial eclipse of the sun ; A ring of fire ; A total eclipse of the sun : an introduction to the magic ; The onset of totality ; Observing a total eclipse of the sun ; Solar eclipse photography -- pt. 3. Eclipses of the moon. Don't forget penumbral lunar eclipses! ; Partial lunar eclipses ; Observing a total eclipse of the moon ; Photographing an eclipse of the moon -- pt. 4. Occultations. When the moon occults a star or a planet -- pt. 5. Transits. Transits : when planets cross the sun -- pt. 6. My favorite eclipses. A personal canon of eclipses, transits, and occultations I have seen -- Appendixes. A. Solar and lunar eclipses due between 2010 and 2024 ; B. A glossary of appropriate terms ; C. Resources.