Observing Variable Stars A Guide for the Beginner

Aimed at the enthusiast, this book gives a thorough account of all aspects of variable star observation.

David Levy's entertaining, well-researched book is aimed at the amateur enthusiast who likes to learn enjoyably. Beginning with advice on binoculars and telescopes, and how to observe the night sky effectively, the author goes on to describe thoroughly the field of variable star observation, a field in which amateurs have made important contributions. He shows how to interpret variations in light output in terms of the life of a star, from birth through to sometimes violent death. All of the major variable stars are described and classified, as well as other variable objects such as active galaxies, asteroids, comets and the sun. The book also contains a guide to the seasonal night sky. Throughout, practical observations serve to complement the text, producing an exciting, very readable introduction to this fascinating subject.

Foreword; Opening thoughts; Acknowledgments; Part I. Getting To Know The Sky: 1. Beginning with the Big Dipper; 2. Magnitude, color, and distance; 3. A word on binoculars and telescopes; 4. Learning to see; Part II. Getting To Know The Variables: 5. Meeting the family; 6. Getting started with Cepheids; 7. Algol, the demon of autumn; 8. How to estimate a variable; 9. Names and records; 10. Observing hints; 11. Stately and wonderful; 12. Stars of challenge; 13. Bright, easy, and interesting; 14. Betelgeuse: easy and hard; 15. Not too regular; 16. Nova? What nova?; 17. Supernovae; 18. Three stars for all seasons; 19. A nova in reverse; 20. RU Lupi?; 21. Orion, the star factory; 22. Other variable things; 23. The Sun; Part III. Suggested Variables For Observation Throughout The Year: Introduction: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, Southern sky notes; Part IV. A Miscellany: 24. Stars and people; 25. The next generation; 26. Going further; Glossary and abbreviations; Index.

Observation of variable stars is an area where anyone can make a contribution to science, and is a fascinating activity using a small telescope or even a pair of binoculars. Aimed at the enthusiast, this book gives a thorough and lively description of all aspects of observing variable stars, including a seasonal guide to the skies.