(c) Maurice Gavin - 2000 - site under construction
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The following are a selection of my books that relate wholly or partially to spectroscopy and acquired over two decades. Copyright for the covers, illustrating these overviews, remains with the publishers. I'd be interested to know what references you use for spectroscopy.
Amateur
Astronomer's Handbook by J.B.Sidgwick revised by James Muirden;
Pelham Books - 1979; p568 - ISBN 0 7207 1164 9
A practical book covering most aspects of optics of interest to the amateur. Chpt 19 covers spectroscopes of various types.
Optical
Astronomical Spectroscopy by Chris Kitchen;
Institute of Physics Publishing Bristol & Philadelphia -1995; p272
- ISBN 0 7503 0346 8 [pbck]
An excellent and comprehensive work, primarily directed at undergraduates, explaining how spectra are formed and recorded via a wide variety of spectroscopes mostly professional both ground and space based. Numerous tables, illustrations and some formulae and maths. Recommended.
Stars
and their spectra - an introduction to the spectral sequence
by James Kaler; University of Cambridge - 1989; p300 - ISBN 0 521 30494
6
An excellent and comprehensive work covers examples of virtually every type of stellar and nebulae spectra in visible light. Fully illustrated with example spectra. Readable and recommended.
Spectrum Analysis by H. Schellen [translated from German by Jane & Caroline Lassell; Edited by William Huggins]; Longman, Green - London -1872; p662
If you thought spectroscopy was a hot modern subject - think again! This book [acquired at a London flea-market 30 years ago] reads like a detective story as pioneers like Littrow, Young, Lockyer, Rutherford, Huggins, Angstrom, Wullner, Plucker, Sorby, Browning, Thompson, Kirchhoff, Brewster-Gladstone, Janssen, Secchi, Warren de la Rue, Respighi, Merz, Donati etc each hit the spectroscopic headlines with their current discoveries and new instrumentation. Today's foundations were laid then.
The
Observer's Guide to Astronomy v2 Ed by Patrick Martinez [translated
from French by Storm Dunlop]; Cam U Press - 1994; p1148;ISBN 0 521 45898
6
A thoroughly professional approach to amateur observation covering most aspects where the amateur can make a contribution to science with details of how to construct specialized instrumentation. Chpt 18 covers basic spectroscope design, reduction of spectra and list of common spectral lines.
Astronomical
Spectroscopy by A.D.Thackeray; Erye &
Spottiswood -1961; p256 ref 6/2428/1
A readable explanation of astro-spectroscopy and explanation of the various effects observed with numerous line diagrams. Excellent bibliography extending back to the 1920s.
Mastering
Astronomy by Gerald North; Macmillan Education Ltd - 1988; p342
- ISBN 0 333 45656 4 [pbck]
Intended for classroom and GCSE courses - the book has broad coverage of astronomy with a number of photos and drawings of solar system objects by the author. Chpt 15 - Electromagnetic Radiation includes a brief explanation of spectroscopic principles.
Stars
by James Kaler; Scientific American Library [dist W.H.Freeman & Co.]
- 1992; p 274; ISBN 1040 3213
A beautifully presented modern book - profusely illustrated in colour with wide appeal. Numerous references to spectroscopy throughout the text including many exotic objects. Highly recommended for general reading.
Edmund
Industrial Optics Catalog - Edmund Scientific
- 1999; p 305;
Every prism, grating and lenses that the amateur spectroscopist could wish for at affordable prices. This very comprehensive catalogue is a goldmine for the experimenter interested in building his/her own equipment and includes full explanation of the various optical terms. More convenient than their website www.edmundoptics.com
CCD
Astronomy - construction and use of an astronomical CCD camera by
Christian Buil; Willmann-Bell Inc - 1991; p321; ISBN 0 943396 29 8
Still virtually the Bible for the amateur CCD constructor and user even in the rapidly advancing field of CCDs. Apart from general principles of construction, the book covers virtually every aspect of image processing including examples of captured spectra and use of specialized filters to extract the maximum data.
Larousse
Astronomy - Ed-in-chief Philippe de la Cotardiere; Hamlyn Publishing
Group - 1987; p326 - ISBN 0 600 50108 6
Profusely illustrated encyclopaedia updated to include space endeavours. Included under Chpt 21 - structure & evolution of stars, the basic principles of spectroscopy.
University
Physics ed#8 by Hugh Young; Addison-Wesley Publishing Co. - 1987;
p 1134. ISBN 0 201 19651 4
A comprehensive edition intended for students covers physics by example with summaries and practical Q &A sections. Useful sections on optics and spectroscopy but not necessarily astronomically based.
Philip's
Colour Star Atlas E2000 by John Cox &
Richard Monkhouse; George Philip Ltd - 1991; p 40. ISBN 0 540 01252 1
A unique star-atlas plotting all stars to mag 6.75 in colour according to their spectral class ie OBAFGKM. All aspects of spectroscopy concisely explained and illustrated. Large A3 size with few pages but essential reading for the newcomer to astro spectroscopy. Recommended.
Universe
by William Kaufmann III; W.H.Freeman & Co. - 1985; p 594 ISBN 0 7167
1673 9
A modern and profusely illustrated student's textbook covering the whole universe of astronomy. Invaluable to the amateur spectroscopist too. Plenty of spectra from planet Venus to distant quasars with explanations, formulae and associated maths. Recommended.
Images
of the Universe - edited by Carole Stott; Cambridge University Press
- 1991; p 237; ISBN 0521 42419 4 [pbck]
A profusely illustrated compilation of works by various top British astronomers with much to interest the spectroscopist. Recommended.
Colours
of the Galaxies by David Malin & Paul Murdin; Cambridge University
Press - 1984; p 198; ISBN 1 85648 126 3
Provides a comprehensive understanding and insight into colour and its photographic capture not only in galaxies [chpt 8] but in the whole range of astronomical targets. Spectroscopy is in there too. Recommended.
Variable
Stars by Cecelia Payne-Gaposchkin & Sergei Gaposchkin; Harvard
Observatory Monographs #5 - Cambridge Mass USA. - 1938; p383.
A definitive work by the experts that has dated little down the years although some of the spectral classifications have been updated Contains a useful section on variable spectra amongst variable stars. Provides a very useful insight and background to current variable star work.
Splendour
of the Heavens Edited by T.E.R Phillips
& W.H.Steavenson; Hutchinson & Co.- 1923; p 979 [2vols]
A popular and profusely illustrated work in two volumes by top British astronomers of the day who were mainly amateur associates of the authors and Section Directors of the BAA. Liberally sprinkled with references to solar and stellar spectroscopy and very readable. Recommended - if you can find copies - mine acquired at a church fete whilst on holiday in Devon - UK.
Norton's
Star Atlas by Arthur Norton; Gall & Inglis Ltd - 1978 #17; p
~150; ISBN 0 85248 900 5
This perennial work first published in 1910 must now be close to a 20th edition. Contains starcharts to mag 6 covering the whole sky and invaluable to the amateur planning an evening's observation. Text of over 113 pages includes the basics of spectroscopy. Recommended.
Sky
Catalogue 2000.0 vol 2 edited by Alan Hirshfield & Roger Sinnott;
Cambridge University press & Sky Publishing Corp; 1985; p 385; ISBN
0 521 27721 3 [pbck vol2]
Volume 2 lists thousands of double and variable stars and non-stellar objects with epoch 2000 sky co-ordinates for keying-in to the telescope. Most stellar objects have their spectral class listed. In valuable reference for the keen observer. Highly recommended.