Double & Multiple Stars, and How to Observe Them is written specially for practical amateur astronomers who not only want to observe, but want to know and understand the details of exactly what they are looking at.
Increasing light pollution throughout the world does not affect the viewing of double and multiple stars, unlike most classes of deep-sky objects. More and more amateur astronomers are turning to this interesting - and scientifically useful - area.
The concept of the book - and of the series - is to present an up-to-date detailed description of the objects, their physics and their evolution (part one); and then (part two) to consider how to observe and record them successfully.
Double & Multiple Stars, and How to Observe Them is a mine of information for all levels of amateur observers, from the beginner to the experienced; it is equally fascinating for practical astronomers, and also for those who simply want to find out more about these unusual star systems.
Preface.- Acknowledgements.- Part I.- Introduction.- Part II.- Types of Double Stars.- Astrophysics of Double Stars.- Observing Techniques.- Tools of he Trade.- Observing Projects.- Double & Multiple Star Observing Lists.- Conclusion.- Appendices.- Index.- About the Author.
James Mullaney's book Double and Multiple Stars and How to Observe Them exceeds what anyone has done with this topic before--by a whole qualitative level or two. Mullaney is one of the world's most experienced observers of double stars and "deep-sky objects." His writing is always clear, accurate and enthusiastic and this book is no exception. Double and Multiple Stars, along with Mullaney's other writings on the topic, may end up almost singlehandedly winning over a new generation of observers to the joy of double-star observing. --Fred Schaaf ...I can recommend Double and Multiple Stars and How to Observe Them to those who delight in seeing close points of light and those who can imagine the huge variety of suns they represent. --Leif J. Robinson, in Sky & Telescope, October 2006