Astronomical Spectrography for Amateurs

amateur astronomers increases their potential to participate efficently

to scientific programs. In particular, spectrography is a new, quickly

developing tool for amateur astronomers. Moreover, amateur astronomers

have more and more possibilities to access telescopes with diameters

above 50 cm, either in professional observatories or belonging to

associations.

These improvements allow professional and amateurs to undertake

fruitful collaborations and common meetings. This book collects the

lectures given by professional for amateur astronomers during a CNRS

school. It focuses on spectroscopy, a budding domain for amateurs

already extensively used by professionals.

Basic principles of spectroscopy are described in a clear and precise

way and applications to the Sun, Be stars, nebulae, and comets are

successively exposed. A chapter is dedicated to the analysis of

spectral data, to put practical spectroscopy within reach of amateur

astronomers.