From the longest running column in Scientific American's history comes this collection of fascinating projects for amateur astronomersFor over seventy years, "The Amateur Scientist" column in Scientific American has helped people explore their world and make original discoveries. This collection of both classic and recent articles presents projects for amateur astronomers at all levels. Hands-on astronomy fans will find how to build inexpensive astronomical instruments using ordinary shop-tools. From making a telescope to predicting satellite orbits to detecting the chemical composition of faraway stars, this book has something for everyone interested in practical astronomy.

Foreword.Introduction.TELESCOPE MAKING.A Simple Telescope for Beginners.How to Grind, Polish and Test an Aluminum Telescope Mirror.The Behavior of the Telescope-maker's Pitch.The Dall-Kirkham Telescope.Principles of Erecting Telescopes.Powerful Pocket Telescopes.A Novel Refracting Telescope."Off-Axis" Reflecting Telescopes.Steady Telescope Mountings.Two Amateur-Built Radio Telescopes.THE SUN.How to Observe and Record Sunspots Safely.Sun of a Gun.A Coronagraph to View Solar Prominences.Two Spectroheliographs for Observe the Solar Disk.THE EARTH, MOON, AND SATELLITES.A Pendulum That Detects the Earth's Rotation.Observing Changes on the Moon.Curious Amateur Observations of the Moon.A Pauper's Guide to Measuring Latitude.Precision Geolocation Using Lunar Occultation.Sundial Potpourri.How to Study Artificial Satellites.Predicting Satellite Orbits.THE PLANETS, COMETS, AND STARS.Amateur Observations of Jupiter.Predicting Planetary Alignments.Catch a Comet by Its Tail.A Picture-Perfect Comet.A Device to Simulate Planetary Orbits.An Astrophysical Laboratory in Your Backyard.An Ocular Spectroscope.Monitoring Variable Stars.Glossary.Further Reading.Contact List.Index.