Astro-Imaging Projects for Amateur Astronomers

Jim Chung Springer £19.99

PB

By its very nature, astro imaging requires astronomers to modify, adapt and engineer a range of equipment to suit their very specific requirements, and as such most imagers usually have a project of some kind on the go.

In this book, Jim Chung details many of his own projects, even though some are pretty heavy going with regard to the materials used and as such are not suitable for all. However, it is always interesting to see how fellow astronomers tackle conversions that you may be considering yourself. Chung’s folded refractor, for example, is enough to make any DIY-inspired astronomer reach for the bench saw.

The book is peppered with anecdotes that at times become ramblings and can be quite a distraction from the project in hand. In a different kind of book they might have made for interesting reading, but they seem out of place in a practical guide. Some nice examples of Chung’s images, captured with modified equipment, are spread around the pages, but these are poorly reproduced, which is a pity as they would otherwise be a good demonstration of the value of the project that produced them.

As an insight into another astronomer’s world this is an interesting read, but if you are looking for a workbook suggesting a range of ‘things to do and make’ then, sadly, this isn’t it. Rather, this book is the story of one astronomer’s journey through the workshop as he tackles the reclamation of the discarded equipment that seems to find its way to his door. STEVE RICHARDS is an experienced astrophotographer and BBC Sky at Night Magazine’s Scope Doctor