In the early 1970s I worked for a company called SPEX Industries that manufactured
spectroscopic instrumentation. This is optical equipment that breaks up light into
its constituent wavelengths (colors) allowing the observer to ascertain the
elemental make-up of the material providing the light, as well as a host of other
physical characteristics.
Since then I have designed, made and purchased several instruments for use
on telescopes to analyze star and sun light. This is a fascinating study that I wish more
amateur astronomers would become interested in. I have written several articles for
The Practical Observer
magazine which follow.
I used to have an extensive listing of Internet links on this page that applied to
the history of, applications to, and theory of amateur astrospectroscopy. However,
in 1998 I and several others formed an Web network called the
Forum for Amateur AstroSpectroscopy (FAAS)
which contains much of what was on my page.
Hence, there was no reason to keep up the information in two locations.
I encourage the reader to go to the
FAAS
site and learn a great deal more
about what is available on the Internet as well as who is doing it.
Articles on Astronomical Spectroscopy
by Barry Malpas
An Objective Prism Spectrograph
The Practical Observer Magazine - Vol. 6 Issue 3 - 1995
The construction of an objective prism spectroscope for use during solar eclipses
and for stellar observations. (Page available soon.)
The Rainbow Optics Star Spectroscope
The Practical Observer Magazine - Vol. 7 Issue 2 - 1996
A review of the only reasonably priced diffraction grating spectroscope available
to the amateur astronomer along with an overview of spectroscopy.
Observing the Spectral Winter G
The Practical Observer Magazine - Vol. 7 Issue 4 - 1997
An observing project for the beginning astro-spectroscopist for which you can receive
a certificate from the United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey when completed.
(Page available soon.)
|
|