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Astronomical Spectroscopy for Amateurs
Ken M Harrison
Introduction to Spectroscopy
1.0 Early Experiments in Spectroscopy
Webpages
2.0 History of Astronomical Spectroscopy
Webpages
3.0 Theory of spectra
Webpages
4.0 Prisms, Gratings and Spectroscopes
Webpages
5.0 Types of Spectroscopes
Webpages
SECTION II –Obtaining and analyzing spectra
6.0 Setting up the spectroscope
Webpages
7.0 Using Spectroscopes in the converging beam.
Webpages
8.0 Using gratings in a collimated beam
Webpages
9.0 Reflection grating spectroscopes
Webpages
10.0 Cameras and CCD’s
Webpages
11.0 Processing Spectra
Webpages
12.0 Amateur Spectroscope Projects
Webpages
(In French)
(In French)
Section III – Spectroscope design and construction
13.0 Introduction
Webpages
14.0 Objective prism/ grating spectroscopes
Webpages
15.0 Other Prism spectroscopes
16.0 Transmission grating spectroscopes
Webpages
17.0 Reflection grating spectroscopes
Webpages
18.0 Guiding, OAG and Beam splitters/ Flip mirrors
Webpages
Appendixes
Appendix A
Suppliers of spectroscopes and accessories
Star Analyser Grating:
AVA ASTRO CORP, DBA – Adirondack Video Astronomy
72 Harrison Avenue
Hudson Falls, NY12839USA
Paton Hawksley Education Ltd
Rockhill Laboratories, Wellsway, Keynsham
Bristol, BS31 1PGU.K.
Rainbow Optics Star Spectroscope
RAINBOW OPTICS
2116 Regent Way
Castro Valley, CA94546
SGS and DSS-7 Spectroscopes
Santa Barbara Instrument Group
147-A Castilian Drive
Santa Barbara, CA93117
Shelyak Lhires III
Shelyak Instruments
Les Roussets
38420 Revel
France
Baader Dados Spectrograph
Baader Planetarium
Zur Strenwarte
D-82291 Mammendorf Germany
Rigel Systems
Rigel Systems
26850 Basswood Avenue
Rancho Palos Verdes
CA 90275 USA
QMax Spectrograph
Questar Corp.
6204 Ingham Road
New Hope, PA18938 - USA
Gratings
Optometrics .
8 Nemco Way
Stony Brook Industrial Park
Ayer, MA 01432 USA
Paton Hawksley (See above)
ThorLabs Inc.
Thorlabs - Newton, New Jersey
435 Route 206 North
Newton, NJ07860
USA
Newport Corp.-(Richardson Gratings)
705 St. Paul St, Rochester, NY14605USA
Prisms
Optometrics (See above)
Edmund Optics Inc
101 East Gloucester Pike,
Barrington, NJ08007-1380USA
Surplus Shed
1050 Maidencreek Road
Fleetwood, PA19522
Entrance Slits
Surplus Shed (See above)
Shelyak Instruments (See above)
Lennox Laser
12530 Manor Road
Glen Arm, MD, 21057
Lenses and mirrors
Surplus Shed (See above)
Edmund Optics (See above)
Thorlabs (See above)
electroluminescent panels
Appendix B
Useful Spectroscopy Forums
Other websites
Appendix C
Selected bibliography
The following books are also available on the web for download at They give a wonderful insight into the early years of spectroscopic development.
- “The Spectroscope and its work” – Richard A Proctor, 1888
- “The Spectroscope and its applications” – J Norman Lockyer, 1873
- “How to work with the Spectroscope” – John Browning, 1882
- “Sir William Higgins and Spectroscopic Astronomy” – E W Maunder, 1913
Olivier Thizy ( Shelyak) has also prepared a “recommended” reading list:
Appendix D
Springer Extra Materials
The Extra Materials can be accessed through:
Springer customers can search the extra materials by ISBN (please make sure you enter the full ISBN including hyphens).
Yahoo Technical Support Group
A support group dedicated to assisting amateurs in astronomical spectroscopy has been set up by the author.
Membership of this group is open to any interested amateur and provides an ideal forum in which to raise questions on any and all aspects of spectroscopy. There are many files available in the “knowledge base” covering spectroscope design and construction as well as the practical aspects of spectral imaging and subsequent analysis. Spectrum images are regularly uploaded to assist the novice and there are many experienced amateurs who are only to willing to discuss any problem you may have as you move up the learning curve.
Any corrections and or amendments to this book will be published on the Astronomical Spectroscopy forum. See you there……