Index
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Abel 2029 galaxy cluster 113
ablation 150
absolute magnitude 106, 195–6
absorption lines 109, 110, 193–4, 236
accretion disc 224
Achernar 36, 232, 253
Acrux 98, 99, 121
active galaxies 224–5, 252, 253
Al Kab 273
Albireo 140, 161–2
Alcor 51
Aldebaran 155, 247, 271
Alderamin 206
Algenib 204, 227
Algieba 80
Algol 197–8, 228, 248
Algorab 97
Alioth 95
Alkaid 51, 73, 94
Almach 228
Alnair 209
Alnilam 29, 34, 275
Alnitak 29, 34, 275
Alpha Apodis 145
Alpha Aquarii 208
Alpha Arae 143
Alpha Capricornids 187
Alpha Centauri (Rigil Kentaurus) 76, 77, 78, 97–8, 120, 121
Alpha Ceti 231
Alpha Columbae 277
Alpha Delphini 182
Alpha Eridani 36
Alpha Fornacis (Dalim) 253
Alpha Horologii 254
Alpha Hydri 233
Alpha Indi 188
Alpha Librae 119
Alpha Pavonis 167, 189
Alpha Persei Moving Group 249
Alpha Phoenicis (Ankaa) 209, 232
Alpha Pictoris 278
Alpha Piscium 227
Alpha Reticuli 255
Alpha Sculptoris 232
Alpha Serpentis 93, 116, 137
Alpha Tucanae 188, 210
Alphard 54
Alpheratz 31, 204, 227
alt-azimuth mount 68–9
Altair 140, 160, 183, 194
altitude 39, 40, 42, 57
Alula Australis 94
Alula Borealis 94
Anaxagoras 16
Andromeda constellation 31, 204
Andromeda Galaxy 25, 26, 32, 45, 86, 106, 107, 214, 216, 221, 223, 227–8
Andromeda Nebula 25
Anser 161
Antares 119, 142, 155, 167
Antares B 142
Antennae Galaxies 77
anti-matter 241
anti-quarks 240–1
Antlia constellation 55
Apus constellation 121, 145
Aquarius constellation 208
Aquila constellation 140, 160, 183
Ara constellation 143
arc-minutes 40
arc-seconds 41
Arcturus 10, 72, 73, 93, 115, 116, 137
Argo Navis 55
Aries constellation 248
Aristarchus 18, 126
Arneb 276
Ascella 166
asteroids 111, 260, 261
astronomical unit 103, 104
astronomy magazines 3–4
atoms 111, 235–6
Atria 121, 145
Augustine of Hippo 237–8
Auriga constellation 29–30, 272–3
aurora australis (southern lights) 133, 155–7
aurora borealis (northern lights) 133, 155–7
averted vision 99, 208
azimuth 39–40, 42, 57
Barlow lenses 66
barred spiral galaxies 72, 215, 220, 253
Becrux 98
Beehive cluster 61
Bellatrix 270
Bellerophon 180, 183
Bessel, Friedrich 23, 160
Beta Aquarii 208
Beta Arae 143
Beta Centauri see Hadar
Beta Ceti (Deneb Kaitos) 231
Beta Delphini 182
Beta Fornacis 253
Beta Gruis 209
Beta Hydri 233
Beta Librae (Zubeneschamali) 119
Beta Pavonis 189
Beta Phoenicis 232
Beta Pictoris 278
Beta Trianguli 121
Beta Tucanae 210
Betelgeuse 29, 49, 198, 247, 259, 270
Big Bang 85, 110, 218, 237–9, 240
Big Dipper see Plough
Big Freeze 266–7
binary stars 34, 35, 197
binoculars 5, 59, 60–1
black holes 56, 111, 224, 235, 267
blazars 224–5
Blinking Nebula (NGC6826) 163
Blue Snowball Nebula 204–5
Boötes constellation 93, 115
Brahe, Tycho 19–20
brightness, measuring 11
brown dwarf stars 188–9
Bunsen, Robert 108
Caelum constellation 278
California Nebula (NGC1499) 248–9
Callisto 22, 173
Calph 229
Camelopardalis constellation 250
Campbell, Bruce 180
Cancer constellation 61, 97
Canes Venatici constellation 51, 73, 115
Canis Major constellation 35
Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy 233, 278
Canis Minor constellation 31
Canopus 35, 36, 55, 56, 277
Capella 31, 247, 272
Caph 205
Capricorn constellation 187
carbon star 277
Carina constellation 35, 56, 61
Caroline’s Rose 205
Cassini Division 176
Cassini, Giovanni 103, 174, 176
Cassiopeia constellation 19, 205, 229, 249
Castor 29, 49
catadioptric telescopes 61, 62, 64
Cauda Hydrae 97
celestial equator 5, 8–10, 29, 40
Centaurus constellation 39–40, 77, 97, 98
Centaurus-A (NGC5128) 77
Cepheid Variable stars 24, 106–7, 117, 206, 215, 216–17
Cepheus constellation 184, 206
Ceres 111–12
Cetus constellation 134, 231
Charon 112, 179
Circinus Dwarf Galaxy 144
Circlet 204
circumpolar stars 39
Coathanger 161
collimation 64
Columba constellation 36, 278
Coma Berenices constellation 73, 93–4
comets 111, 134, 147–9
26P/Grigg-Skjellerup 55
Hale-Bopp 149
Shoemaker-Levy 9 149
Tempel-Tuttle 151
coordinate system 39–42
altitude/azimuth 39–40, 42, 57
right ascension/declination 40–3, 46, 57
Copernicus, Nicolaus 18–19, 22
Cor Caroli 73
Corona Australis constellation 167
Corona Borealis constellation 116
coronal mass ejections 133, 156–7
Corvus constellation 76, 97
Cosmic Background Radiation 85–6
Crab Nebula (M1) 271
Crux see Southern Cross CS Camelopardalis 250
Cursa 36, 252
Cygnus constellation 23, 184, 205
Cygnus X-1 201
Dalim (Alpha Fornacis) 253
dark energy 266
dark matter 218–19, 243, 264–5, 266, 267
declination 40–1, 43, 46, 49, 57
deferents 18, 20
Deimos 173
Delphinus constellation 182
Delta Andromedae 31
Delta Apodis 145
Delta Cephei 206
Delta Ceti 231
Delta Indi 188
Delta Muscae 99
Delta Pavonis 189
Delta Sagittarii 166
Deneb 140, 160, 183, 205
Deneb Kaitos (Beta Ceti) 231
Denebola 50, 72, 80, 92
density waves 219, 220
Diadem 73, 94
dinosaurs, extinction of 260, 261
Dobson, John 68
Dobsonian reflecting telescope 68, 69
Doppler, Christian 109
Doppler effect 109, 236
Dorado constellation 36, 78
Draco constellation 95, 116–17, 139
drift alignment 70
Dubhe 51, 74
Dumbbell Nebula (M27) 161
dust clouds 36, 78, 82, 165
dwarf planets 112
Earth 15–16, 123–5
atmosphere 124
circumference 16–17
distance between Moon and 126–9
end of 257–63, 268
geocentric model 18, 26
impact events 260–1
Moon’s effect on tides 124
Moon’s orbit around 126, 129
as not the centre of everything 18–19, 22
orbit around the Sun 129–30
rotation of 10, 38
structure 123–4
eclipse 130 see also lunar eclipses; solar eclipses
eclipsing binary 272–3
ecliptic 41, 43, 165
Edasich (Iota Draconis) 116–17 83
Ursae Majoris 94
Einstein, Albert 268
electromagnetic (EM) spectrum 78–90, 193, see also radiation
electromagnetism 239, 241
electrons 108–9, 199–200, 235–6, 240
Elephant Trunk Nebula 185, 206
ellipses 21
elliptical galaxies 72–3, 113, 217, 218, 220–1, 222, 253
elliptical orbits 20, 21, 22, 93, 126
Elnath 30, 271, 272
Eltanin 139
emission nebulae 98–9, 184, 248–9
Enif 182, 194, 204
epicycles 18, 20
Epsilon Aurigae 272–3
Epsilon Centauri (Birdun) 77
Epsilon Columbae 278
Epsilon Cygni 183
Epsilon Eridani 252–3
Epsilon Indi 188
Epsilon Lyrae 162
Epsilon Normae 143
Epsilon Virginis (Vindemiatrix) 72
equator, seeing stars at the 38–9
equatorial mount 69
equipment 59–74 see also binoculars; telescopes
Equuleus constellation 182
Eratosthenes 16–17, 22, 101, 128
Eridanus constellation 36, 232–3, 252–3, 254
Eris 112
Eskimo Nebula 50
Eta Aurigae 272
Eta Carinae 35, 56
Eta Herculis 138
Eta Leonis 92
Eta Ophiuchi 165
Europa 22, 173
event horizon 201
exoplanets 180, 209
eye relief 67
51 Pegasi 180, 183
finder telescope 67–8
fireballs 150
First Point of Aries 41, 42
Fizeau, Hippolyte 109
Fomalhaut 208
Fomalhaut b 208–9
forces 241, 243
Fornax A 253–4
Fornax constellation 243, 253
41 Arietis 248
47 Tucanae 210–11, 233
Fraunhofer, Joseph von 108
Gacrux (Gamma Crucis) 121
galaxies 25–6, 52, 109–10, 213–26
active 224–5, 252, 253
clusters and groups of 223–4, 244
collisions and mergers 221–3, 244
formation of first 218–19, 243, 244
Hubble’s classification of 217
Seyfert 225, 231
superclusters 224, 244
see also barred spiral galaxies; elliptical galaxies; irregular galaxies; spiral galaxies
Galileo 22, 103, 169, 173, 174, 175–6, 214
Galle, Johann 178
Gamma Apodis 145
Gamma Cephei 180
Gamma Comae Berenices 73
Gamma Delphini 182
Gamma Eridani 252
Gamma Geminorum 29
Gamma Gruis 209
Gamma Hydri 233
Gamma Leonis 92
Gamma Pavonis 189
Gamma Piscium 204
gamma radiation 89–90
gamma ray bursters (GRBs) 50, 56, 90, 262–3
Gamma Sagittarii 166
Gamma Trianguli Australis 121
Gamma Ursae Minoris 117
Gamma Velorum 35, 55
Ganymede 22, 173
Gemini constellation 29, 49–50
geocentric model 18, 26
Ghost of Jupiter Nebula 54
Gienah Corvi 76, 97
Gliese 581B/C 180
globular clusters 24, 93, 99, 100, 115–16, 138, 142, 143, 144, 165, 183, 187–8, 208, 210–11, 254–5, 277
Goldilocks Zone 258
gravitational lenses 265
gravity 20, 21, 124, 241, 264, 266
GRB031203 56, 262, 278
GRB090423 50
Great Dark Spot 178
Great Hercules Cluster (M13) 138, 139
Great Red Spot 175
Great Rift 165
Greeks, ancient 16–17, 195
Greenwich Meridian 41
Gregory, James 102
Grus constellation 209
Grus Quartet 209
Hadar (Beta Centauri) 77, 97, 120–1, 144
Hamal 228, 248
hand, using of to estimate distances in the sky 9–10, 39
HD177999 189
heliopause 113
Helios 2
space probe 106
Helix Nebula 199, 208
Hercules constellation 137–9
Herschel, Caroline 205
Herschel, Sir John 98
Herschel, Sir William 23–4, 31, 82–3, 187, 214
Herschel’s Garnet Star 185, 206
Hertzsprung, Ejnar 107
Hind’s Crimson Star (R Leporis) 276–7
Hipparchus 126–8
Hipparchus spacecraft 105
Horologium constellation 254
Horrocks, Jeremiah 102
HST14113+5211 52
Hubble, Edwin 25–6, 107, 110, 216, 217, 236, 263
Hubble Space Telescope 25, 52, 88, 195
Hubble’s Law 110
Huygens, Christiaan 104
Hyades Cluster 271
Hydra constellation 36, 54, 76, 97
Hydrus constellation 233
hypernova 56
IC1101 93, 113, 116
IC1396 185, 206
impact events 260–2
Index Catalogue (IC) 30
Indus constellation 188
Infra-red Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) 83
infra-red radiation 82–4, 88
infra-red telescopes 34
International Astronomical Union 179
interplanetary dust 111
interstellar clouds (nebulae) 87, 89, 94
interstellar dust 111
Io 22, 103, 173
Iota Cephei 206
Iota Draconis (Edasich) 116–17
Iota Draconis B 117
irregular galaxies 217
Izar 115
Jansky, Karl 86, 87
Jewel Box 98
Jupiter 22, 103, 155, 169, 173–5
Great Red Spot 175
moons of 103, 173
size of 112
Kappa Cygni 184
Kappa Lupi 120
Kappa Ophiuchi 137
Kaus Australis 166
Kaus Borealis 166
Kepler, Johannes 19–21, 173
laws of planetary motion 21, 102
Keystone 138
Kids 272
kiloparsec 106
Kochab 117, 139
Kornephoros 137–8
Kraz 97
Kuiper Belt 147–8, 261
Lacerta constellation 204
Lagoon Nebula 166
Lambda Centauri 98
Lambda Hydrae 54
Lambda Orionis 270
Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) 36, 78, 106, 222, 223, 233, 255, 278–9
latitude 8, 40 see also declination
Le Verrier, Urbain 178
Leavitt, Henrietta 106–7
Leo constellation 50, 80, 92, 185
Leo Minor constellation 94
Leonid meteor shower 151
Lepus constellation 276
Lesath 142, 166–7
Libra constellation 119
libration 126
light
characteristics of 108–9, 193
speed of 85, 103–4, 174
light years 24, 103, 104
LINEAR (Lincoln Near Earth Asteroid Research) 261
Lippershey, Hans 21
Little Dumbbell Nebula (M76) 229
local astronomical societies/clubs 4, 70, 282
Local Group 223
longitude 4, 40, 103, 174 see also right ascension lunar eclipses 130, 151–2, 154
lunar occultations 154–5, 185
Lupus constellation 119–20
Lynx constellation 31
Lyra constellation 162–3
Lyrids 87–8
M1 (Crab Nebula) 272
M2 208
M3 115
M4 142, 144
M5 93, 116, 137
M7 (Ptolemy’s Cluster) l42–3
M10 165
M12 165
M13 (Great Hercules Cluster) 138, 139
M15 183, 204
M18 74
M27 (Dumbbell Nebula) 161
M30 187
M31 (NGC224) 30
M32 221, 228
M33 220, 228
M35 30
M36 see Pinwheel Cluster
M37 30, 273
M38 30, 273
M39 184
M42 see Orion Nebula
M43 275
M47 55
M51 see Whirlpool Galaxy
M52 206
M53 94
M55 166
M56 163
M57 see Ring Nebula
M58 72
M65 92
M66 92
M75 187–8
M76 (Little Dumbbell Nebula) 229
M77 225, 231, 252
M79 277
M81 65
M82 65, 74
M83 (Southern Pinwheel) 76–7
M87 72–3, 223
M92 138–9
M101 see Pinwheel Galaxy
M103 229
M104 (Sombrero Galaxy) 76
M110 228
Magellan, Ferdinand 78
magnetic field 123
magnification 65
magnitude 11
main sequence 54
Mariner 10
spacecraft 170
Markab 183, 204
Mars 20, 172–3
moons of 173
polar caps 172
Syrtis Major 172–3
megaparsec 106
Megrez 95
Melotte 111 73
Menkalinan 273
Menkar 247
Mensa constellation 36
Merak 51
Mercury 112, 155, 170
Merope 247
mesosphere 157
Messier catalogue 30
Messier, Charles 51, 115, 142, 223–4
meteor showers 55, 87–8, 133–4, 147–8, 149–51, 184, 187, 250
meteoroids 134
meteorites 133, 150
meteors 134
Microscopium constellation 188, 254
microwave radiation 84–6
midnight 10
Milky Way 23, 26–7, 35–6, 77–8, 99–100, 165, 213, 214–17, 221, 223
merging with Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy 221
shape and size of 23–5, 113, 215–16
mini-telescope 67–8
Minkar 97
Mintaka 29, 34
Mira 196, 231–2
Mirach 227
Miram 250
Mirfak (Alpha Persei) 249
Mitaka 275
Mizar 51, 94
Moon 123–6
craters on 260
distance between Earth and 126–9
effect of on Earth’s tides 124
and libration 126
lunar eclipses 130, 151–2, 154
lunar occultations 154–5, 185
moving away from Earth 125, 153
orbit around Earth 126, 129
phases of 129
reasons for just seeing one side of 125–6
viewing of through binoculars 61
Mu Cephei see Herschel’s Garnett Star
Mu Hydrae 54
Mu Leporis 276
Mu Orionis 270
Musca constellation 99
Myla 99
Naos (Zeta Puppis) 56
NASA 83
Navi 229
NEAT (Near Earth Asteroid Tracking) 261
Neptune 170, 177, 178–9
neutrinos 36
neutron degeneracy pressure 200, 201
neutron stars 89, 200
neutrons 242–3
New General Catalogue (NGC) 30
Newton, Isaac 21
NGC55 220, 232
NGC224 (M31) 30
NGC292 see Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC)
NGC300 232
NGC362 211
NGC869 249
NGC884 249
NGC891 228
NGC1097 253
NGC1261 254–5
NGC1316 253–4
NGC1499 (California Nebula) 248–9
NGC1851 36, 277–8
NGC2419 31
NGC3372 56
NGC4565 73
NGC4833 99
NGC5053 94
NGC5128 (Centaurus-A) 77
NGC5195 73–4
NGC5822 120
NGC5823 120
NGC6025 121
NGC6183 143–4
NGC6188 144
NGC6352 144
NGC6397 144
NGC6541 167
NGC6744 168, 189
NGC6752 167–8, 189
NGC6826 (Blinking Nebula) 163
NGC7243 204
NGC7552 209
NGC7582 209
NGC7590 209
NGC7599 209
NGC7814 227
Nihal 276
noctilucent clouds 157–8
Norma constellation 143
North American Nebula 184
North Celestial Pole 40
North Pole 38, 40
northern hemisphere sky 7–8, 10, 11
January 28–31
February 48–52
March 71–4
April 91–5
May 114–17
June 136–40
July 159–163
August 181–5
September 203–6
October 226–29
November 246–50
December 269–73
map 12
northern lights see aurora borealis
Nu Fornacis 253
Nu Octantis 189
nucleosynthesis 192, 198, 242
Nunki 166
occultation 154–5
Octans constellation 121, 189
Omega Centauri 77
Oort Cloud 148
Oort, Jan 264–5
open star clusters 30, 61, 99, 143–4, 184, 204, 206, 249, 273
Ophiuchus constellation 137, 143, 165
orange giant stars 116–17
orbital resonance 220
Orion belt 54
Orion constellation 29, 34, 49, 84, 270–1, 275–6
Orion Nebula (M42) 34, 84, 275
Orion’s belt 29, 84
ozone layer 88
Pacman Nebula 229
parallax 19, 23, 98, 104–5
parallax shift 104–6, 160
parsec 104–6
Pavo constellation 167, 189
Pegasus constellation 31, 182–3, 204, 227
Penzias, Arno 84–5, 86, 237
period-luminosity relationship 106–7
Perseid meteors 250
Perseus constellation 248–9
Perseus Double Cluster 249
Phecda 74, 94
Phi Persei 228
Phobos 173
Phoenix constellation 209
Pi Cetids meteor shower 134
Pi Herculis 138
Pi Orionis 270
Pi Puppids meteor shower 55
Picard, Jean 103
Pictoris 278
Pinwheel Cluster (M36) 30, 273
Pinwheel Galaxy (M101) 51, 74
Pisces constellation 41, 204, 227
Piscus Austrinus constellation 188, 208, 209
planetary motion, Kepler’s laws of 21, 102
planetary nebulae 50, 54, 161, 162, 187, 199, 204–5, 231
planets 17–18, 169–80
definition 179
origin of name 17–18, 169
size of ‘major’ 112
see also individual names
planisphere 42–3, 44, 170
Pleiades star cluster 155, 247–8
Plough (Big Dipper) 31, 45, 50–1, 73, 74, 94–5
Pluto 112, 179
Pogson, Norman 195
Pointers, the 95, 121
polar alignment 69–70
polar mesospheric clouds 157
Polaris Australis 121
Polaris (Pole Star) 39, 40, 41, 45, 51, 95, 117, 128, 139
Pollux 29, 49
Pollux B 49
Population I stars 244
Population II stars 244
Population III stars 243–4
positrons 240
primary mirror (telescope) 62
Procyon 31
Procyon A 31
Procyon B 31
proto-galaxies 218
proto-planetary discs 245, 278
protons 242–3
Proxima Centauri 97–8, 105, 110, 112, 120, 144
Ptolemy, Claudius 18, 142
Ptolemy’s Cluster (M7) 142–3
Puppis constellation 55, 278
quantum mechanics 267
quarks 240
quasars 224
radiation 79–82, 108
Cosmic Background 85–6
gamma 89–90
infra-red 82–3, 88
microwave 84–5
ultra-violet (UV) 88–9
wavelength and frequency 81, 87
X-ray 89
radio loud galaxies 224–5
radio quiet galaxies 224–5
radio telescopes 82, 87–8
radio waves 81, 82, 84–5, 86–8, 89
rainbow 193
Rasalgethi 137
Rasalhague 137
Rastaban 139
red giant stars 54, 197–8, 198
red shift 109–10, 216, 236
red torches 3, 44
reflecting telescopes 61, 62–3, 64
reflection nebulae 275
refracting telescopes 61, 63–4
Regulus 50, 55, 72, 80, 92, 185
Reticulum constellation 255
Rigel 34, 36, 252, 275
right ascension 40, 41–3, 46, 57
Ring Nebula (M57) 162–3, 199, 205
Ritter, Johann 88
Rømer, Ole 103, 174
Ruchbah 229
Rudolph II, Emperor 20
Running Chicken Nebula 98–9, 100
Sabik 119
Sagitta constellation 160–1
Sagittarius constellation 24, 87, 166
Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy 221, 233
Saiph 276
Saturn 169, 175–7, 281
moons of 177
ring system 111, 175–7
Saturn Nebula 187
Scattered Disc 148
Scheat 183, 204
Scorpius constellation 119, 166–7
Scorpius X-1 89
Sculptor constellation 209
Sculptor Galaxy 209, 232
Scutum constellation 165
Scutum Star Cloud 165
seasons 130
Serpens constellation 93, 113, 116
Seyfert galaxies 224–5, 231
Shapley, Harlow 24–5, 107, 163, 215
Shaula 142, 166
Shedar 229
shooting stars 133
sidereal day 10
Sigma Octantis 121
singularity 110, 201, 235, 267
Sirius 35, 54, 55, 112
Sirius A 35
Sirius B 35, 112
61 Cygni 23, 160
Skat 208
Skull Nebula 231
Slipher, Vesto 26, 109–10, 216
Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) (NGC292) 78, 106, 210–11, 220, 222, 223, 233, 278–9
smartphone 43–4
solar eclipse 126–7, 130, 152–4
Solar System
Earth-centred model 17–18, 22
Sun-centred view 18–20, 22
solar wind 133, 148, 156–7
Sombrero Galaxy (M104) 76
south, finding 10
South Celestial Pole 35, 40, 121
South Pole 38, 40
Southern Cross (Crux) 35, 39, 98, 121
southern hemisphere sky 7–8, 10, 11
January 32–6
February 53–7
March 75–8
April 96–100
May 118–21
June 141–5
July 164–8
August 186–9
September 207–11
October 230–3
November 251–5
December 274–9
map 13
southern lights see aurora australis
Southern Pinwheel (M83) 76–7
Southern Pleiades 61, 99
space-time continuum 238
spectroscopic binary 34, 98
spectroscopy/spectroscopes 26, 108, 193, 202, 216, 259
spherical trigonometry 127
Spica 76, 97, 119, 155
spiral galaxies 51, 73, 74, 76–7, 92, 168, 217, 218, 219–20, 232
Spitzer Space Telescope 77
Square of Pegasus 31, 45, 204, 227
stadia myriads 101–2
star charts 44 see also planispheres
star-hopping 44–5
starlight 193
stars
absolute magnitude of 106, 195–6
death of 198–200, 258
estimating temperature from colour of 194
formation of first 192, 244–5
lives of 191–206
nuceleosynthesis process 192, 198, 244
variable 196–7
Stonehenge 16
Stratospheric Observatory for Infra-red Astronomy (SOFIA) 83
string theory 238–9
strong nuclear force 239, 242
sublimation 148
al-Sufi, Abd al-Rahman 216
summer solstice 16–17
Summer Triangle 139–40, 160, 183
Sun 41, 54, 123, 130–3
absolute magnitude of 195
age of 49
as centre of Solar System 19, 20, 22
current stability of 258–9
death of 259, 268
demise of Earth and evolution of 258–60
distance between Earth and 101–3
Earth’s orbit around 129–30
eclipses of see solar eclipses
formation 131
fusion process within 131–2
and Kepler’s laws of planetary motion 21
magnetic field 132
and photosphere 130, 131, 132
precautions taken in looking at 130–1
size of 132
solar winds 133, 148, 156–7
temperature of 131
transits across 155
view of by ancient Greeks 16–17
sunspots 132
supernovae 36, 56, 90
type 1a 107–8, 198, 265–6
type 2 200–1
syzygy 154
T Ursae Majoris 94–5
tablet PC 43–4
Tarantula Nebula 36, 78, 279
Taurus constellation 99, 271
Teapot shape of stars 166
Teleopium constellation 167
telescopes 37, 38, 46–7, 59, 61–70
alignment of optics 64
and aperture 64–5
attaching setting circles to 46
catadioptric 61, 62, 63, 64
common components 62
computerized 70
eyepieces 65–7, 76
finder 67–8
and focal length 64, 65–6
and focal ratio 67
and Herschel 23
infra-red 34
invention of 21–2
and magnification 65–6
maintenance of 64
microwave 85
and mounts 68–9
radio 82, 87–8
recommendation for newcomers 70
reflecting 61, 62, 64
refracting 61–3
setting circles 46
and star-hopping 45–6
types of 61–3
viewing of sun/solar eclipses through 131, 154
Telescopium constellation 254
Theta Aurigae 273
Theta Eridani 254
Theta Leonis 92
Theta Orionis 275
3C273 225
tilted axis of rotation 130
Titan 177
Tombaugh, Clyde 179
transits 155–6
Trapezium 34, 275
Triangulum Australe constellation 4–5, 121
Triangulum constellation 107, 228
troposphere 157
Tucana constellation 78, 188, 209–10
UDFj-39546284 106, 214, 243, 244, 253
ultra-violet (UV) radiation 88–9
Universe
and Big Freeze 266–7
and big rip 268
creation and evolution of 235–45
density of 263–4
dimensions of 240
end of 263–8
expansion of 26, 51–2, 236–7, 264, 266–7
inflationary period 241–2, 245, 266
measuring huge distances 106–10
oscillating 267–8
size and scale of 101–13
Upsilon Persei 228
Uranus 23, 170, 177–8
Ursa Major constellation (Great Bear) 31, 45, 50–1, 65, 93, 94–5, 115
Ursa Major Moving Group 51
Ursa Minor constellation (Lesser Bear) 95, 117, 139
variable stars 196–7
Vega 137, 139–40, 160, 162, 183, 205
Veil Nebula 183–4, 200, 205
Vela constellation 35, 55
Venator, Nicolaus 182
Venus 22, 55, 170–2
atmosphere of 171
transit of 102, 155
volcanic activity 171
Virgo Cluster 92–3, 223
Virgo constellation 72–3, 76, 92, 97
Virgo Supercluster 223–4
Voyagers 1 and 2 113
Vulpecula constellation 161
VY Canis Majoris 112, 194, 195
water vapour 83, 158
weak nuclear force 239, 241
Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) 73–4, 222
white dwarfs 50, 107, 112, 197–8, 199, 265
Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) 85–6
Wilson, Robert 84–5, 86, 237
Wolf-Rayet star 35, 56
Wright, Thomas 216
X-rays 56, 89
zenithal hourly rate (ZHR) 149–50
Zeta Aurigae 272
Zeta Boötis 93, 116
Zeta Cygni 183, 205
Zeta Herculis 138
Zeta Lupi 120
Zeta Persei 248
Zeta Reticuli 255
Zeta Tauri 271–2