Astronomers’ Tools: Choosing the right telescope by David Arditti

David Arditti has been observing the sky for 47 years. He took up astronomy at the age of 13 after reading a book by Patrick Moore that he found in the school library. After making a telescope by the method described in the book, using spectacle lenses and cardboard tubes, which did not work very well at all, he joined a local astronomical society and became addicted after being shown views of Saturn and other objects through a 12-inch reflector. He now lives in NW London and uses an observatory he constructed himself in his back garden to observe a wide variety of objects, but mostly the Moon and planets, the imaging of which he is a noted expert on.

He is currently both Director of the Equipment and Techniques Section of the BAA and the BAA Vice-President. Also he is Observations Director and Vice-President for the West of London Astronomical Society. He has written for many magazines including Astronomy Now and the BAA Journal and has produced a book, Setting-Up a Small Observatory, published by Springer. He regularly gives talks on observing, imaging, astronomical equipment, the history of astronomy, cosmology, and other topics, to groups ranging from schools to professional conferences. He is also a classical pianist and composer and is Chair of London Composers Forum, a group that puts on concerts of new music.

The meeting will also include a news item of interest and a tour of the night sky.

We look forward to seeing you.