Book El Sol

Book El Sol.

Although there is no shortage of solar observing guides on the market, it is difficult to find one that can satisfy both the beginning amateur, and help him to interpret what he sees with his telescope, as well as the advanced observer who wishes to analyze his observations. This book attempts to provide the necessary tools to fill this gap.

The advance of computer technology and the evolution of the instruments available to the amateur have made possible the development of new observing methods in recent years. All this makes it almost indispensable, not only an update, but also the introduction of new contents that had not been treated until now in the divulgation works.

In the theoretical part, the reader will find updated information on everything that, with modest instruments, allows him to observe the Sun. The practical part provides both an update of classical methods, as well as innovative observation programs, which until recently were unfeasible and are now within the reach of many amateurs.

About the author: Javier Ruiz Fernández is a physicist, works at the Astronomical Observatory of Cantabria, and is a member of the Cantabrian Astronomical Association. Specialized in solar observation for more than 30 years, he collaborates with the SIDC (Observatoire Royal de Belgique) and with the Solar Division of the AAVSO. He manages the web page www.parhelio.com and is the author of the SOL program to analyze solar images. His informative work has been developed through articles and conferences focused mainly on solar observation. He collaborates in the daytime astronomy section of the journal Astronomía.

Contents:

• • • • • Introduction ........................................................................IX
        • 1. Getting Started...................................................................... 1
        • 2. The magnetic field......................................................... 15
        • 3. The calm photosphere .......................................................19
        • 4. Spots.................................................................. 23
        • 5. The spot groups.................................................... 33
        • 6. The faculae .....................................................................53
        • 7. The chromosphere ................................................................57
        • 8. The wolf number ........................................................... 79
        • 9. The activity cycle .........................................................83
        • 10. Heliography................................................................... 97
        • 11. Observation with the naked eye ............................................105
        • 12. Obtaining wolf number........................................ 111
        • 13. Measurement of positions ...................................................119
        • 14. Measurement of areas .........................................................133
        • 15. Some applications of position and area measurements. .137
        • 16. Other types of measurements ....................................................147
        • 17. Measuring images .....................................................153
        • Annexes.......................................................................... 173
        • Glossary .........................................................................186
        • Bibliography .....................................................................191
        • Some web pages........................................................197
        • Template for drawing the solar disk ......................................198
        • Templates for measuring positions......................................... 199
        • Graphic annex ................................................................201

Technical sheet:

Libro El Sol.