Venus and Mercury, and How to Observe Them

Description

Mercury and Venus - known as the "inferior planets" because they are closer to the Sun than the Earth is - have always been regarded as difficult and even dangerous targets for amateur astronomers. Recent advances in commercially-made instruments have, however, brought them within range of only moderately experienced observers, and certainly Mercury and Venus are by no means inferior in terms of visual delights, observing challenges...and mystery. Venus and Mercury and How to ObserveThem offers a wealth of detailed practical information on every aspect of observing, from safely targeting the two planets, through visual observing, to sketching and electronic imaging. This is of course much more than a book about observing. We now know a lot more of the origin and evolution of Mercury and Venus, and Peter Grego describes the most recent theories of their probable formation, geology, and history. Not only does this include a lot about the surface of the planets, but also their internal structure, magnetic fields, and atmospheres. Front Matter....Pages I-XIII Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Introduction – A Perspective on Mercury and Venus....Pages 1-6 Front Matter....Pages 7-7 Our Current Knowledge of Mercury....Pages 9-69 Our Current Knowledge of Venus....Pages 71-152 Front Matter....Pages 153-153 Equipment for Observing Mercury and Venus....Pages 155-175 Recording Mercury and Venus....Pages 177-206 Observing Mercury....Pages 207-227 Observing Venus....Pages 229-247 Back Matter....Pages 249-262