Choosing and Using Astronomical Filters

As a casual read through any of the major amateur astronomical magazines will demonstrate, there are filters available for all aspects of optical astronomy. This book provides a ready resource on the use of the following filters, among others, for observational astronomy or for imaging:

• Light pollution filters
• Planetary filters
• Solar filters
• Neutral density filters for Moon observation
• Deep-sky filters, for such objects as galaxies, nebulae and more

Deep-sky objects can be imaged in much greater detail than was possible many years ago. Amateur astronomers can take photographs that rival those of professional observatories! The ability to do this has been brought about by the revolution in CCD cameras and improved filters.

The book pinpoints which astronomical objects are best observed with which filters. Post-processing (using Photoshop) is also discussed, since it is helpful in further improving filtered astro images.

The last part of the book is an observational guide to 100 deep sky objects that benefit from the use of filters - all personally observed by the author - with notes on the filters used (or potentially of use) in their observation and imaging. There are also notes on their celestial coordinates, magnitudes and other pertinent information.

Dr. Martin Griffiths from the UK, is an enthusiastic observer, science communicator, and professional astronomer who utilizes astronomy, history, and science fiction as tools to encourage greater public understanding of science. He is Senior Lecturer in Astronomy at the University of Glamorgan in Wales. To promote public interest in the night sky he has written an observational guide entitled 'Alien Worlds' (University of Glamorgan Press, 2004), and contributes articles on varied astronomical topics for popular magazines. His observational abilities have resulted in him being honored with awards on the Messier and Herschel objects by the Astronomical League. He is the recipient of the Astrobiology Society of Britain's Public Engagement Award.

Martin was a founding member of NASA's Astrobiology Institute Science Communication Group, active between 2003-2006 and managed a multi-million pound ESF program in Astrobiology for adult learners between 2003-2008. He continues to promote cross-disciplinary links between science and culture that reflect his educational background and interests. He is an avid astronomer and is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society; a member of the British Astronomical Association; the Webb Deep-Sky Society; the Society for Popular Astronomy and the Astronomical League. He is also the local representative for the British Astronomical Association's Campaign. He has recently published 'Planetary Nebulae and How to Observe Them' (Springer, 2012).