Название: Mars and How to Observe It Автор: Peter Grego Год: 2012 Издательство: Springer Формат: PDF ISBN: 1461423015 Размер: 11 Mb Страниц: 257 Язык: Английский Mars,
popularly known as the Red Planet because of its distinct color, is
visible with the naked eye and is one of very few planets in the Solar
System in which it is possible to see weather phenomena and surface
features and thus is a favorite for amateur and practical astronomers.
Commercially made telescopes can reveal its dusty surface markings,
brilliant polar ice caps, and atmospheric phenomena. Many of Mars's
features appear to change shape and intensity with the seasons: its
polar caps grow and shrink cyclically, clouds billow above the Martian
surface, and sometimes great dust storms obscure vast sections of the
planet. The first part of Mars and How to Observe It sets out our
current knowledge of Mars as a planet - its orbit, physical
characteristics, evolution over time, and current geology. A planet-wide
tour of Mars's topography is featured, along with clearly labeled maps
and close-up images of a variety of features. The second part of the
book explains how amateur and practical astronomers can observe Mars
successfully. Many aspects are considered in depth, including preparing
to observe, calculating phase and tilt, and making observational
sketches and drawings. There are also plenty of details about how best
to make high-resolution CCD images. Since Mars changes in its apparent
size in the sky according to its position in relation to Earth, it is
best observed during its closest approaches. Future apparitions
(appearances of the Red Planet) are therefore featured.
