Practical Astronomy with Your Calculator

Practical Astronomy with your Calculator is a book written by Peter Duffett-Smith, a University Lecturer and a Fellow of Downing College. It was first published in 1979 and has been in publication for over 30 years. The book teaches how to solve astronomical calculations with a pocket calculator. The book covers topics such as time, coordinate systems, the Sun, planetary systems, binary stars, the Moon and eclipses.[1] The third edition features new sections on generalised coordinate transformations, nutation, aberration, and selenographic coordinates. The fourth edition, coauthored by Jonathan Zwart, adds "or Spreadsheet" to the end of the title.[2]

Practical Astronomy with your Calculator
First edition
AuthorPeter Duffett Smith
SubjectAstronomy
PublisherCambridge University Press
Publication date
1979
Pages185
ISBN0-521-35629-6

The book has been used by amateur astronomers and those studying introductory astronomy. It was written because of a suggestion by Dr. Anthony Winter.[1]

Modern use

The mathematical operations used in the book are subtraction, addition, multiplication, division and trigonometric functions. Angles are illustrated in degrees and not radians. The calculations are carried out on a calculator. The book "explains in simpler terms the equations used to calculate almanac data."[3]

Critical reception

The Cambridge Guide to Astronomical Discovery states that Practical Astronomy with your Calculator is a "must"-have book if one has no personal computer for astronomical calculations.[4] New Scientist magazine gave a favourable review of the book, although stating that there were small errors in some calculations.[5] Archaeoastronomy states "the book is recommended as easy to use and reliable."[6]

References
  1. Duffett-Smith, Peter (1995) [1979]. Practical astronomy with your calculator (3rd ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-35629-6.
  2. Duffett-Smith, Peter; Zwart, Jonathan (2017). Practical astronomy with your calculator or spreadsheet (4th ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781108436076.
  3. Burch, David (2008) [1984]. Emergency navigation: find your position and shape your course at sea even if your instruments fail (2nd ed.). Camden, ME: McGraw-Hill. p. 251. ISBN 9780071481847.
  4. Liller William (1992). The Cambridge Guide To Astronomical Discovery. Cambridge University Press. p. 242.
  5. Henbest, Nigel (10 January 1980). Kenward, Michael; Ferry, Georgina (eds.). "Practical astronomy with your calculator by Peter Duffet-Smith. Cambridge UP, pp 129, £9·50, ppb £3·95". Review. New Scientist. Vol. 85, no. 1189. p. 92. ISSN 0028-6664. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  6. Dearborn, David S. P. (1980). "ASTRONOMY WITH YOUR CALCULATOR -- Peter Duffet-Smith". Archaeoastronomy. University of Maryland. 3 (3): 42. ISSN 0190-9940.
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