Observing and Measuring Visual Double Stars (second edition)
R. W. Argyle, Editor
Available Amazon, Barnes & Noble, &  everywhere--be sure to look for the 2nd edition, blue cover.  Or choose eBook

There are more binary stars visible in the night sky than there are single stars, and there are enormous numbers of wide, faint pairs under-observed or not observed at all - professional astronomers just don't have the available time to study them. This is where amateur astronomers can help. Bob Argyle, a professional astronomer at Cambridge University, shows where enthusiastic amateur observers can best direct their efforts. The book caters for the use of every level of equipment, from simple commercial telescopes to micrometers and CCD cameras. Amateur astronomers who have gone beyond "sight-seeing” and want to make a genuine scientific contribution will find this a fascinating and rewarding field - and this book provides all the background and practical information that's needed. Includes a free CDROM represents an informative snapshot of continually evolving catalogues, including; the United States Naval Observatory catalogues, the WDS, the Second Delta-m catalogue, the Fourth Interferometric catalogue and the Sixth orbital catalogue to be used in conjunction with the USNO website.

The second edition of Observing and Measuring Visual Double Stars contains a significant amount of completely new material inspired by the work done by observers … since the first edition was published. Fifteen skilled and experienced astronomers have contributed chapters on their own specialization in the various fields. These include how to use the Internet to carry out precise astronomical measurement, an excellent guide to sketching double stars, and information on how to image double stars of unequal brightness. This new edition is the definitive book for those who are serous about this fascinating aspect of astronomy! (From the back cover of the book.)

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The Double Star Reader: Selected Papers from the Journal of Double Star Observations
Editors: R. Kent Clark, Russell M. Genet,
Available for advance order from www.CollinsFoundationPress.org for $29.95 (plus shipping and handling)

The majority of stars are gravitationally bound systems of two or more stars that are only distinguishable through a telescope. Their orbital periods range from days to millennia, often making double star research a multi-generational endeavor. Thus, astronomers today contribute measurements of systems that have been observed, in many cases, for centuries. Since the fundamentals of double star research are straight-forward and entry equipment is low cost, double star research is open to amateur and student astronomers. This book exposes the reader to a diverse sampling from the Journal of Double Star Observations detailing both historical and modern observations as well as the techniques and technologies used by amateurs, students, and professionals.

About the Editors:  Left to Right: Eric Weise, Physics Major at University of California, San Diego. Vera Wallen, Educational Consultant and Retired Superintendent of Schools. Jolyon Johnson, Geologist and Science Director at the Orion Observatory. R. Kent Clark, Professor of Physics at University of South Alabama and Editor of the Journal of Double Star Observations. Russell Genet, Research Scholar in Residence at California Polytechnic State University and Adjunct Professor of Astronomy at Cuesta College.
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