Description: Description: A classic in the study of binary stars, especially optical observations. Association copy of historian of astronomy Owen Gingerich. Condition: Book is paperbound in pictorial cover. Former owner’s bookplate and signature dated 1964 inside front cover and flyleaf. Minor shelfwear. Otherwise clean, tightly bound, and unmarked throughout. From the publisher’s promo: “Originally published in 1918 and completely revised in 1935, this book is still a "bible" in the field of double-star astronomy. Its author, a director of the famous Lick Observatory, is widely recognized as the father of the modern study of binary star systems and, in this book, he sums up the results of centuries of research, including 40 years of his own work, and surveys the methods of observation and of orbital computation that have been developed. The book begins with an extensive two-part historical sketch that covers various steps in the discovery and interpretation of binary stars and assesses the work of many of the major contributors. There follow chapters on observational methods for visual binary stars; the orbit of a visual binary star; the radial velocity of a star (written by Dr. J. H. Moore of the University of California); the orbit of a spectroscopic binary star; eclipsing binary stars; the known orbits of the binary stars; some binary stars of special interest: Alpha Centauri, Sirius, Krueger 60, 61 Cygni, Delta Equulei, Capella, Algol, and others; and the origin of binary stars. Within each of these topics, the author emphasizes method, telling how to plot orbits, where to locate important data and how to use them in computations, how to measure and reduce spectrograms, when to use eyepieces in observations, and so on. This practical material is truly unique, and it should prove especially useful in classroom instruction, to astronomy students, and to advanced hobbyists. Each chapter ends with a bibliography and there is additional, up-to-date bibliographical material in the notes added to this new edition by Professor J. T. Kent. Professor Kent has also revised and corrected the text. Now, more than ever, this book is an unequalled source. of information on methods of study and as a thorough summary of essential binary star material. Revised (1935) edition, corrected and with additional notes new to 1963 edition by Prof. J. T. Kent. New preface. 50 tables; 13 figures; 4 full-page plates. Bibliographies. Appendix: Table of Orbits of Visual and Spectroscopic Binary Stars. Indexes. x + 309pp. 5 3/8 x 8 1/2. “ Biographical Note: Robert G. Aitken (1864-1951): A native Californian, Robert Aitken was educated at Williams College in Massachusetts. After teaching briefly in California, he worked at the Lick Observatory from 1895 to 1935. He was associate director seven years (while director W. Wallace Campbell was president of the University of California) and director from 1930 to 1935. Aitken made systematic surveys of binary stars, discovering thousands, measuring their positions visually, and calculating orbits for many. His massive New General Catalogue of Double Stars within 120 degrees of the North Pole allowed orbit determinations which increased astronomers' knowledge of stellar masses. He also measured positions of comets and planetary satellites and computed orbits. He was editor of the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (PASP) from 1898 to 1942. He wrote an important book on binary stars, and he lectured and wrote widely for the public. VISIT MY EBAY STORE FOR OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST(Click This Link) ALL REASONABLE OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED PLEASE INQUIRE ABOUT DISCOUNTS ON MULTIPLE PURCHASES Shipping: Free media rate shipping in US. International shipping as appropriate (See shipping and Payments tab on this listing page for further details). We make every attempt to describe items clearly and completely. Please read our listings carefully, inspect posted images of the item, and let us know if you have any questions before you bid. All buyers must pay according to Ebay policies.; If you have any questions about this, please email me. International bidders should contact me for a quote on shipping before bidding.; Whenever possible, international shipping will be via Ebay Standard International Delivery. Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying.
Price: 22 USD
Location: Riverside, Rhode Island
End Time: 2024-08-31T15:10:41.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Signed By: Owen Gingerich
Book Title: THE BINARY STARS
Signed: Yes
Ex Libris: No
Narrative Type: Nonfiction
Original Language: English
Item Length: 8.5 in
Publisher: Dover Publications
Intended Audience: Adults
Inscribed: No
Personalize: No
Publication Year: 1964
Type: Scientific Monograph
Format: Trade Paperback
Language: English
Illustrator: Yes
Item Height: 5.5 in
Personalized: No
Author: Robert Grant Aitken
Features: Illustrated
Genre: Mathematics & Sciences, Science
Topic: Astronomy, Physics, Orbital Mechanics
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Number of Pages: 309