Astronomical Optics

This book provides a unified treatment of the characteristics of telescopes of all types, both those whose performance is set by geometrical aberrations and the effect of the atmosphere, and those diffraction-limited telescopes designed for observations from above the atmosphere. The emphasis throughout is on basic principles, such as Fermat's principle, and their application to optical systems specifically designed to image distant celestial sources.
The book also contains thorough discussions of the principles underlying all spectroscopic instrumentation, with special emphasis on grating instruments used with telescopes. An introduction to adaptive optics provides the needed background for further inquiry into this rapidly developing area.

• Geometrical aberration theory based on Fermat's principle
• Diffraction theory and transfer function approach to near-perfect telescopes
• Thorough discussion of 2-mirror telescopes, including misalignments
• Basic principles of spectrometry; grating and echelle instruments
• Schmidt and other catadioptric telescopes
• Principles of adaptive optics
• Over 220 figures and nearly 90 summary tables

Written by a recognized expert in the field, this clearly presented, well-illustrated book provides both advanced level students and professionals with an authoritative, thorough presentation of the characteristics, including advantages and limitations, of telescopes and spectrographic instruments used by astronomers of today.

This book provides a unified treatment of the characteristics of telescopes of all types, including telescopes whose performance is set by geometrical aberrations and the effect of the atmosphere, and those diffraction-limited telescopes designed for observations from above the atmosphere. The emphasis throughout is on basic principles, such as Fermat's principle, and their application to optical systems specifically designed to image distant celestial sources. Astronomical Optics, Second Edition also contains thorough discussions of the principles underlying all spectroscopic instrumentation, giving special emphasis to grating instruments used with telescopes. An introduction to adaptive optics provides the needed background for further inquiry into this rapidly developing area.

Booknews

For graduate students who have the equivalent of an intermediate- level undergraduate optics course, Schroeder (physics and astronomy, Beloit College, Wisconsin) emphasizes the basic principles of optics and how they are used in the designs of specific types of instruments for astronomical observations, but limited to telescopes and cameras that use near-normal incidence optics and spectrometers with dispersive elements or interferometers. He does not say when the first edition was published, but for the second he has clarified material that confused readers, added new sections to many chapters, and added a new chapter on adaptive optics. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)