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Summary:

This book is for the aging amateur astronomy population, including newcomers to astronomy in their retirement and hobbyists who loved peering through a telescope as a child. Whether a novice or an experienced observer, the practice of astronomy differs over the years. This guide will extend the enjoyment of astronomy well into the Golden Years by addressing topics such as eye and overall health issues, recommendations on telescope equipment, and astronomy-related social activities especially suited for seniors. Many Baby-Boomers reaching retirement age are seeking new activities, and amateur astronomy is a perfect fit as a leisure time activity. Established backyard astronomers who began their love of astronomy in their youth, meanwhile, may face many physical and mental challenges in continuing their lifelong hobby as they age beyond their 55th birthdays. That perfect telescope purchased when they were thirty years old now suddenly at sixty years old feels like an immovable object in the living room. The 20/20 eyesight has given way to reading glasses or bifocals. Treasured eyepieces feel all wrong. Growing old is a natural process of life, but astronomy is timeless. With a little knowledge and some lifestyle adjustments, older astronomers can still enjoy backyard observing well into their seventies, eighties and even into their nineties.

Table of Contents:

• Preface; Contents; About the Authors; Chapter 1: Amateur Astronomy and Its Aging Practitioners; Chapter 2: Why Astronomy?; Choosing What Kind of Backyard Astronomer?; Chapter 3: Keeping Healthy, Active, and Backyard Astronomy; General Principles of Aging and Health; Social Activity in the Later Years; Maintaining Mental Health; More on Exercise; Stress Is Destructive to the Body; Chapter 4: Older Eyes, Cataracts, Lasik and Laser Eye Surgery; Nutrition and Good Eye Health; Disorders of the Aging Eye; Cataracts and the Impact on Telescope Use; Cataract Surgery.
• Post-Cataract Surgery Recovery and Issues LASIK Surgery; LASIK Surgery Incompatibility with Cataract Surgery; The Role of Sunglasses and UV Radiation; Chapter 5: Telescope Equipment and Growing Older; Single Large Telescope at Age 70+; Multiple Telescopes at Age 64; Telescope in an Observatory at Age 68; Telescopes, Aging, and Physical Strength; Telescope Eyepieces and Aging Eyes; Normal Age-Related Vision Changes; High Tech Versus Low Tech; The Role of Binoculars; Binocular Basics; Binocular Prisms: Porro Versus Roof; Field of View; Deciding on Binoculars; Solar Observing.
• Solar Filters Recommendations for Older Astronomers; Stay Seated; Binoviewers; Chapter 6: Astronomy Clubs, Public Outreach, Star Parties, and Staying Social in Later Years; Astronomy Clubs; Public Outreach; Star Parties; Typical Large Star Party; Star Party Etiquette; Chapter 7: Physical and Environmental Challenges of Astronomy in Later Years; The Threat of Hypothermia; Observing in the Fall and Winter; Heat Stress and Older Adults; Dressing for Success in Spring and Summer; Chapter 8: Travel, Astronomy Tourism, and Getting Old; Leisure Travel and Astronomy.
• Top 10 Astronomy Destinations U.S. State Department Travel Recommendations; Chapter 9: Common Sense, Light Pollution, and Astronomy; Buying a Telescope; Observing and the Importance of Dark Skies; Chapter 10: Wheelchair Astronomy; Scenario 1-Wheelchair Astronomer with a Caregiver; Scenario 2-Wheelchair Astronomer Alone; Scenario 3-Wheelchair Astronomer with Additional Disabilities: Open the Window; Observatory; Observing Site; Chapter 11: The Afterlife of Telescope Equipment and Astronomy Books; Wills and Living Trusts-Astronomy Loving Families.
• Wills and Living Trusts-Families Who Have No Interest in Astronomy Options for Disposition of Heirloom Grade Telescope Equipment; Selling Through an Estate Auction; Selling Through eBay Auctions; Chapter 12: Final Thoughts; Appendix A; Telescope Basics; The Telescopes; The Refractors; The Reflectors; The Catadioptrics; The Eyepieces; The Filters; The Mounts; The Binoviewer Option; The Recommendation; Appendix B; Color Filters Use; Appendix C; Common Telescope Formulas; Telescope Magnification; Exit Pupil; Real Field of View; Focal Ratio; Dawes Limit or Resolving Power.

Author/Creator:

Chen, James L. , author

Contributors:

Chen, Adam, 1983- , illustrator

Languages:

English

Language Notes:

Item content: English

Main Work:

Astronomy for older eyes: a guide for aging backyard astronomers [by Chen, J.L.]

Other Related Resources:

Print version: Astronomy for older eyes [by Chen, J.L.] (Cham, Switzerland : Springer, 2017 — ISBN 3319524127; ISBN 9783319524122; OCLC Number 966555506)

Related Series:

Patrick Moore's practical astronomy series

Subjects:

Astronomy — Amateurs' manuals

Astronomy

Genres:

handbooks

Handbooks and manuals

General Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.
Description based on: Online resource; title from PDF title page (SpringerLink, viewed March 27, 2017).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xvi, 236 pages) : illustrations (some color).

Call Numbers:

QB64 .C446 2017eb

ISBNs:

9783319524139 (electronic bk.)
3319524135 (electronic bk.)
9783319524122 (print) [Invalid]
3319524127 [Invalid]

Other Standard Numbers:

Digital Object Identifier: 10.1007/978-3-319-52413-9

OCLC Numbers:

976406731