Spherical Astronomy

This new revision of a standard work gives a general but comprehensive introduction to positional astronomy. Useful for researchers as well as undergraduates.

This introductory textbook assumes no prior knowledge of classical astronomy but is sufficiently comprehensive to be useful as a background reference work. It provides the essential background on mathematical technique and coordinate systems and discusses in detail, refraction, aberration, stellar parallax, precession, nutation and proper motion.

Originally published in 1908, this monograph by Sir Robert Stawell Ball (1840-1913) is a technical introduction to spherical astronomy.

Spherical Astronomy provides a comprehensive treatment of the fundamental principles of positional astronomy. The text focuses on the principles of spherical astronomy and the theory of fundamental astronomical observations. Discussions are made on topics such as the celestial sphere and the nature of the reference systems of astronomy; the geometric aspects of the celestial sphere in relation to geographic position; systems of time measurement based on the rotation of the earth; and the inertial reference system. Astronomers and astrophysicists will find the book highly insightful.