Total Solar Eclipses and How to Observe Them (Astronomer's Observing Guides) (Astronomers' Observing Guides) (Paperback)

"This isna (TM)t just another book on the subject of solar eclipses a" there is more here than you might find elsewhere. a ] The author, a skilled astro-photographer himself, later covers the photographic section of the book very well and there are tips on how to successfully record eclipse images. a ] I can happily recommend this book and will be surprised if it is not amongst the luggage and reading materials of eclipse chasers for several years to come." (Brian Halls, Astronomy Now, December, 2007)

"If youa (TM)re planning to join the increasing number of people who regularly travel the world to witness the beauty of a total solar eclipse, then this book is for you. a ] Black-and-white and colour pictures punctuate the text throughout and the colour images of the solar corona by Miloslav DruckmA1/4ller are excellent. a ] Overall it is very informative and highly readable." (Geoff Elston, BBC Sky at Night, January, 2008)

"The greatest natural occurrence you can witness a" bar none a" is a total solar eclipse. If one of these spectacular events is in your future, you owe it to yourself to pick up Martin Mobberleya (TM)s new book a ] . Mobberley has packed this book with specific information on this topic. a ] has filled 200 pages with information about total solar eclipses, while many books devote only one chapter to all eclipses. The 115 photographs and diagrams make this a must-have book." (Michael Bakich, Astronomy, April, 2008)

"Total solar eclipses are rare events that often occur in awkward locations on Earth. a ] Mobberley provides a well-written description of the a ~whysa (TM) of eclipses as well as practical hints for how to prepare toobserve them. a ] The line drawings and photographs are excellent, and the glossy paper shows them to best advantage. Mobberley draws on extensive experience to provide humorous vignettes of eclipse-travel adventures. a ] Summing Up: Recommended. General readers." (M. K. Hemenway, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (7), 2008)

"The arrival of this book was well-timed and relevant. a ] This book is one of Springera (TM)s Astronomy Observing Guides which, in my experience, have proved to be useful additions to my astronomical library. a ] All in all, the book is a useful addition to the eclipse chasera (TM)s library and will be a good reference for those who are considering their first eclipse trip. The book is well illustrated, gives good practical advice, and a ] is very good value for money." (Steve Bell, The Observatory, Vol. 128 (1205), August, 2008)

"This is one of the first books to concentrate on digital photography for capturing the fine details of the eclipsed Sun. a ] I thoroughly enjoyed Mobberleya (TM)s non-technical approach and his personal perspectives. His explanations of eclipse phenomena are clear and a joy to read. Total Solar Eclipses should be on every eclipse chasera (TM)s bookshelf." (Robert Garfinkle, Sky & Telescope, November, 2008)

Product Description
This is the ultimate, easy-to-read guide for "eclipse-chasers". Eclipse chasers are now numbered in the tens of thousands. Every total solar eclipse sees dozens of cruise ships, each with about a thousand people on board, steaming along the track of the eclipse. Tens of thousands of observers travel to the eclipse track on land, to witness these rare astronomical events. There are some important eclipses coming up in the years ahead: in 2008 August across Siberia, and then through the Gobi Desert. In 2009, there is a 6 minute 38 second eclipse (very long) in China, south of Japan, and the Pacific Ocean. There will be two more big ones in the south Pacific in 2010 and 2012, then in 2017 there is a solar eclipse that will be visible right across the USA. The technology available to amateur astronomers is improving fast. Recent additions are low-cost white-light solar binoculars, and the new generation of affordable H-Alpha telescopes. These can of course be used to view prominences without an eclipse taking place, and the book includes something of this too. This new book will in fact include everything an eclipse chaser needs. It will make it possible to prevent expensive equipment/set-up errors thousands of miles from home, and avoid problems that have to be fixed with only minutes to spare. It advises on the right equipment to buy for observing and for imaging [digital only]. It provides "eclipse virgins" with a good feeling for what a trip abroad to an eclipse is like – including a humorous look at all the things that can go wrong, and in previous expeditions, have. Travel details are included, essential in these days of high-security and when equipment has to be carried in a standard 20kg suitcase and 5kg cabin bag. And of course the first part of the book contains a wealth of information about solar eclipses: how and why they happen, the physics of the Sun and solar system, and what can be observed only during a total eclipse.

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