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EDITORIAL INFORMATION

Variable star astronomy is one field where amateur astronomers can still make significant contributions to the advancement of science. Everyone can play a part in variable star observations, using a small telescope, or even a pair of binoculars.

David Levy is truly a lover of stars. He is an avid observer and the discoverer of 21 comets, including Shoemaker-Levy 9 which collided with Jupiter in 1994. He found his second comet within minutes of finishing the writing of this book.

Observing Variable Stars is aimed at the enthusiast. It begins with advice on binoculars and telescopes, and how and when to observe stars effectively. Following this David Levy gives a thorough description of all aspects of variable star observations. All major types of variable stars are described and classified, as well as other variable objects such as active galaxies, asteroids, and comets. The book includes a seasonal guide to the night sky ans is usable in all latitudes. Updated for the paperback edition with the latest information, including a variable star newly discovered by the author himself.

(Extracted from the back cover)

GENERAL TABLE OF CONTENTS

-Contents.

-Foreword.

-Opening Thoughts.

-Acknowledgments

-Part 1. Getting to Know the Sky.

-1. Beginning with the Big Dipper.
-2. Magnitude, Color, and Distance.
-3. A Word on Binoculars and Telescopes.
-4. Learning to See.

-Part 2. Getting to Know the Variables.

-5. Meeting the Familiy.
-6. Getting Started with Cepheids.
-7. Algol, the Demon of Autumn.
-8. How to Estimate a Variable.
-9. Names and Records.
-10. Observing Hints.
-11. Stately and Wonderful.
-12. Stars of Challenge.
-13. Bright, Easy, and Interesting.
-14. Betelgeuse: Easy and Hard.
-15. Not Too Regular.
-16. Nova? What's Nova?
-17. Supernovae.
-18. Three Stars for All Seasons.
-19. A Nova in Reverse?
-20. RU Lupi?
-21. Orion, the Star Factory.
-22. Other Variable Things.
-23. The Sun.

-Part 3. Suggested Variables for Observation Throughout the Year.

-24. Introduction.
-25. January, February, March.
-26. April, May, June.
-27. July, August, September.
-28. October, November, December.
-29. Southern Sky Notes.

-Part 4. A Miscellany.

-30. Stars and People.
-31. The Next Generation.
-32. Going Further.
-33. Glossary and Abbreviations.

-Index.