Download or read book Scientific American The Amateur Astronomer written by Shawn Carlson and published by Turner Publishing Company. This book was released on 2008-05-02 with total page 355 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the longest running column in Scientific American's history comes this collection of fascinating projects for amateur astronomers For over seventy years, "The Amateur Scientist" column in Scientific American has helped people explore their world and make original discoveries. This collection of both classic and recent articles presents projects for amateur astronomers at all levels. Hands-on astronomy fans will find how to build inexpensive astronomical instruments using ordinary shop-tools. From making a telescope to predicting satellite orbits to detecting the chemical composition of faraway stars, this book has something for everyone interested in practical astronomy.