Observing Nebulae

This book enables anyone with suitable instruments to undertake an examination of nebulae and see or photograph them in detail. Nebulae, ethereal clouds of gas and dust, are among the most beautiful objects to view in the night sky. These star-forming regions are a common target for observers and photographers. Griffiths describes many of the brightest and best nebulae and includes some challenges for the more experienced observer. Readers learn the many interesting astrophysical properties of these clouds, which are an important subject of study in astronomy and astrobiology. Non-mathematical in approach, the text is easily accessible to anyone with an interest in the subject. A special feature is the inclusion of an observational guide to 70 objects personally observed or imaged by the author. The guide also includes photographs of each object for ease of identification along with their celestial coordinates, magnitudes and other pertinent information. Observing Nebulae provides a ready resource to allow anyone with a little experience in astronomy, whether professional or amateur, to locate, identify and record the nebulae in our home galaxy. The author enables the observer to use a telescope and filters to the best advantage to see these celestial wonders, or to couple filters to a CCD camera or digital SLR camera in order to take quality images of celestial objects. By using these techniques it is even possible to make a valid contribution to professional investigations. And the views are unbeatable.

Martin Griffiths is an enthusiastic science communicator, writer and professional astronomer. Over his career he has utilized history, astronomy and science fiction as tools to encourage greater public understanding of science. He is a recipient of the Astrobiology Society of Britain’s Public Outreach Award (2008) and the Astronomical League’s Outreach Master Award (2010). He also holds the League’s Master Observer certificate and has written or contributed to over 100 published science articles for many journals. He is currently an astronomer at the University of South Wales in the UK.

He was one of the founding members of NASA’s Astrobiology Institute Science Communication Group, which was active from 2003-2006. He also managed a multi-million pound ESF program in Astrobiology for adult learners across Wales from 2003-2008. Since then he has been involved in promoting adult education, assisting in the development of astronomy awards at the University of South Wales and various projects including initial consultation on the setup of an educational observatory in Andalucia, Spain, now run by Andy Burns and Kath Griffiths.

He is also a consultant to the Welsh Government through his involvement with the Dark Sky Discovery initiative, enabling public access to dark sky sites in association with Dark Sky Wales, Dark Sky Scotland and Natural England. He was also responsible for surveying the sky quality of the Brecon Beacons National Park in their successful bid to gain International Dark Sky Association Dark Sky Reserve status in 2013 and is a consultant to the Hay Tourism Board for their annual dark sky festivals. He is also the Director of the Brecon Beacons Observatory, a public and education resource, fitted with a 30cm telescope situated in the Dark Sky Reserve.

Martin is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society; A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy; a member of the Astrobiology Society of Britain; the European Society for the History of Science: the British Astronomical Association; the British Science Association; the Webb Deep-Sky Society; the Society for Popular Astronomy and the Astronomical League. He is also a local representative for the BAA Campaign for Dark Skies and lectures in astronomy to anyone that will listen but principally as senior lecturer at the University of South Wales.