Overview

Spherical or positional astronomy is used primarily to map objects on the celestial sphere. In this technical work, first published in 1908 and intended for advanced students, Sir Robert Stawell Ball (1840–1913) breaks down the field into distinct areas of study. Assuming a good level of geometry and trigonometry, he begins with fundamental formulae before moving into the determination of coordinates, atmospheric refraction, the theory of cartography, and more. Each section contains exercises derived from a variety of sources, including contemporary Cambridge examinations. The coverage ranges from the calculation of stellar parallax to the geometrical principles behind the Mercator projection. Testifying to the knowledge expected of university students in the early twentieth century, Ball's book remains instructive to their modern counterparts. More accessible to the general reader, The Story of the Heavens (1885), Star-Land (1889) and A Popular Guide to the Heavens (1905) are also reissued in this series.

Full Product Details

Author:   Robert Stawell Ball
Publisher:   Cambridge University Press
Imprint:   Cambridge University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 14.00cm , Height: 3.00cm , Length: 21.60cm
Weight:   0.660kg
ISBN:  

9781108064354

ISBN 10:   1108064353
Pages:   524
Publication Date:   22 August 2013
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Fundamental formulae; 2. The use of spherical coordinates; 3. The figure of the earth and map making; 4. The celestial sphere; 5. Right ascension and declination; 6. Atmospheric reflection; 7. Kepler's and Newton's laws and their application; 8. Precession and nutation; 9. Sidereal time and mean time; 10. The sun's apparent annual motion; 11. The aberration of light; 12. The geocentric parallax of the moon; 13. The geocentric parallax of the sun; 14. On the transit of a planet across the sun; 15. The annual parallax of stars; 16. Eclipses of the moon; 17. Eclipses of the sun; 18. Occultation of stars by the moon; 19. Problems involving sun or moon; 20. Planetary phenomena; 21. The generalized instrument; 22. The fundamental instruments of the observatory; Index and glossary.

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