Jamey L. Jenkins

“Observing the Sun” is for amateur astronomers at all three levels: beginning, intermediate, and advanced. The beginning observer is often trying to find a niche or define a specific interest in his hobby, and the content of this book will spark that interest in solar observing because of the focus on the dynamics of the Sun. Intermediate and advanced observers will find the book invaluable in identifying features (through photos, charts, diagrams) in a logical, orderly fashion and then guiding the observer to interpret the observations. Because the Sun is a dynamic celestial body in constant flux, astronomers rarely know for certain what awaits them at the eyepiece. All features of the Sun are transient and sometimes rather fleeting. Given the number of features and the complex life cycles of some, it can be a challenging hobby. “Observing the Sun” provides essential illustrations, charts, and diagrams that depict the forms and life cycles of the numerous features visible on the Sun.

Solo fino a vent’anni fa, un filmato dell’attività cromosferica della nostra stella, dell’evoluzione di una protuberanza o di un gruppo di macchie, era prerogativa dell’astronomo professionista, dotato di un telescopio di buon diametro sito in un Osservatorio solare d’alta quota. Ai nostri giorni, i progressi dell’elettronica e dell’informatica mettono l’astrofilo nelle condizioni di realizzarlo da sé, con un telescopio amatoriale e un’economica webcam. Questo libro, mentre aggiorna l’astrofilo sulle più recenti tecniche nello studio del Sole, rappresenta un ottimo trattato sulla nostra stella, sul suo funzionamento, sulle fenomenologie che interessano la sua atmosfera. Lo stile è divulgativo, ma rigoroso. I consigli osservativi sono frutto di una ventennale esperienza dell’autore quale membro del Sunspot Program dell’AAVSO.

In Part 1, the book describes the very latest thinking on solar physics in (mostly non-mathematical) detail, incorporating the latest results from research concerning the structure and behaviour of the Sun. There is particular emphasis on the surface features visible from the Earth, and how these are the result of the extraordinary processes that are taking place within the Sun. In Part 2, the book details the techniques for observing and imaging the Sun with commercially-available equipment. The many recent advances in optical equipment now allow amateur astronomers to observe phenomena that until recently could only be seen with the extremely expensive equipment available at universities and research observatories – notably H-alpha and Calcium-K telescopes. This is a completely up-to-date solar observing book, while providing the science background necessary for an understanding of the observations with the latest equipment. It also features the most complete solar observing and imaging guide available.