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Common Sense, Light Pollution, and Astronomy

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Astronomy for Older Eyes

Part of the book series: The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series ((PATRICKMOORE))

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Abstract

A useful analogy in buying a telescope is looking at a parking lot of a local grocery store. There are a variety of cars and trucks parked there. Why? Because different people purchase vehicles for different reasons. Soccer moms need minivans to haul their kids to soccer fields. Handymen need pickup trucks to haul plywood and plumbing tools. The thrill-seeker will own a high-performance sports car. And a business man will drive a prestige high-priced car to show off wealth and fame. Many amateur astronomers own multiple telescopes to fulfill specific observing needs (Fig. 9.1).

“…as light pollution spreads,

we are slowly losing one of the oldest and most universal links

to all of humanity.”

Peter Lipscomb, Santa Fe Astronomer

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Chen, J.L., Chen, A. (2017). Common Sense, Light Pollution, and Astronomy. In: Astronomy for Older Eyes. The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52413-9_9

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