Every amateur astronomer - and many non-astronomers - will be familiar with seeing a "star" that shows that characteristic steady slide across the starry background of the sky. Artificial satellites can be seen any night, and some as bright as the planets. But how many of us can identify which satellites or spent launch vehicle casing we are seeing? Artificial Satellites and How to Observe Them describes all the different satellites that can be observed without optical aid, including of course the International Space Station and the many spy satellites operated by different nations. Richard Schmude looks at them in detail and describes how they can be observed by amateurs, how to recognize them, and even how to predict their orbits. Artificial satellites have changed since the beginning of the millenium. Several additional countries have launched them. And amateur astronomers have utilized digital cameras in order to image satellites to a resolution of about three feet. This book describes how to recognize, observe, and image satellites. Examples of recent images and how they were made are given. It also offers up-to-date descriptions of the many satellites that are orbiting the Earth and other celestial bodies. Readers can learn how satellites impact our day-to-day lives. In short, Artificial Satellites and How to Observe Them is a detailed and up-to-date overview of artificial satellites and how to study them in the night sky.

When you look up at the night sky, do you ever wonder why some stars seem to move? These moving lights are not stars. They are artificial satellites, machines put into space to help us communicate or gather information here on Earth. From the launch of the first artificial satellite in 1957 to the space telescopes making headlines today, these orbiting eyes have helped us study the heavens, survey the earth, stay in touch, and protect our homelands. Headline Science uses news stories and everyday applications to explain the science behind artificial satellites.

A Soccer fan watches a live broadcast of a game being played halfway around the world. A meteorologist studies photos of a hurricane developing out at sea. Astronomers observe evidence of a black hole millions of light years from Earth. What do all these people have in common? They are using satellites. From entertainment to communications to science, satellites have become a part of our lives. Learn all the amazing facts about satellites in this fast-packed peek into the future of science. Book jacket.