Publisher Description

Catadioptric telescopes (CATs) such as the Schmidt Cassegrains remain popular among amateur astronomers for their ability to reveal thousands of beautiful deep-space wonders. Additionally, their computer-assisted capabilities allow them to automatically point to and track celestial objects, making astronomy accessible to more people than ever before. However, selecting the right one and learning how to use it can be difficult for stargazers both old and new. That's where this book comes in. The first edition, published in 2009, has remained the standard reference for mastering these popular instruments. This revised edition brings the material completely up to date, with several extensively rewritten chapters covering the most recent developments in telescope and camera equipment as well as computer software.Through the author's 45 years of experience with catadioptric telescopes, readers will learn to decide which catadioptric telescope is right for them, to choose a specific make and model, and finally, to use the telescope in the field. Covered in other chapters are: Solar System and deep-sky observations; astrophotography and computer control of CATs; and troubleshooting and maintaining your equipment.If you dream of owning a telescope or are frustrated by the telescope you already own, this is the book for you! 

Back Cover

Catadioptric telescopes (CATs) such as the Schmidt Cassegrains remain popular among amateur astronomers for their ability to reveal thousands of beautiful deep-space wonders. Additionally, their computer-assisted capabilities allow them to automatically point to and track celestial objects, making astronomy accessible to more people than ever before. However, selecting the right one and learning how to use it can be difficult for stargazers both old and new. That's where this book comes in. The first edition, published in 2009, has remained the standard reference for mastering these popular instruments. This revised edition brings the material completely up to date, with several extensively rewritten chapters covering the most recent developments in telescope and camera equipment as well as computer software. Through the author's 45 years of experience with catadioptric telescopes, readers will learn to decide which catadioptric telescope is right for them, to choose a specific make and model, and finally, to use the telescope in the field. Covered in other chapters are: Solar System and deep-sky observations; astrophotography and computer control of CATs; and troubleshooting and maintaining your equipment. If you dream of owning a telescope or are frustrated by the telescope you already own, this is the book for you!

Author Biography

Rod Mollise, a Contributing Editor at Sky and Telescope magazine, is familiar to amateur astronomers as the author of numerous books and magazine articles on every aspect of astronomy, amateur and professional. He is most well known for his books on Schmidt Cassegrain Telescopes, SCTs, and especially his authoritative first edition of Choosing and Using a New CAT (Springer), which has become the standard reference for these instruments.

Table of Contents

About the Author.- Acknowledgements.- Chapter 1: Why a CAT?.- Chapter 2: What's a CAT?.- Chapter 3: Inside a CAT.- Chapter 4: Which CAT?.- Chapter 5: Making Friends with a CAT.- Chapter 6: Accessorizing a CAT.- Chapter 7: First Light with a CAT.- Chapter 8: Enjoying a CAT.- Chapter 9: Care and Feeding of a CAT.- Chapter 10: Computerizing a CAT.- Chapter 11: Taking Pictures with a CAT.- Chapter 12: Hacking a CAT: hints, Tips, and Projects.- Chapter 13: Keeping the passion Alive.- Appendix A: Telescope and Accessory Dealers and Manufacturers.- Appendix B: Internet Resources, Software, and Books for CAT Users.- Index.

Long Description

Choosing and Using the New CAT will supercede the author's successful Choosing and Using a Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, which has enjoyed enthusiastic support from the amateur astronomy community for the past seven years. Since the first book was published, a lot has changed in the technology of amateur astronomy. The sophistication and variety of the telescopes available to amateurs has increased dramatically. Computerized SCTs, Maksutov-Cassegrains, and most recently Meade's new and acclaimed Ritchey-Chr

Feature

From the authoritative bestselling author on Schmidt Cassegrain telescopes Includes fully revised information on technology and software systems developed in the last 10 years Covers how to understand, purchase, and use CATs

Details