Astronomy book reviews
Getting Started
I want a Telescope
Time for a new Telescope
Eyepieces and Filters
Observing Session Basics
Book Reviews
Free Astronomy Software
Our First Night Out
Orion SpaceProbe 130ST First Light
Handicapped Astronomy
Page 1
Handicapped Astronomy
Page 2
Astro Links
My Home Page-
God, Genesis and the big bang
Night Watch by Terence Dickinson (Firefly press, 1998)
This is the first book every beginning stargazer should buy. It is packed with information from how to pick a telescope to what is up there and where it is. Got my copy from Barnes and Noble on sale for less than $18. By the way he recommends a 6" Dob as the first scope for the budget conscious. What is great about this book is how he breaks the information down into simple to understand parts that build on each other. You aren't overwhelmed yet your intelligence is never insulted. You won't get bored and you will really learn a lot in a hurry with this book. I have also read "The Backyard Astronomer's Guide", by Terrence Dickinson. Many recommend it as the next step after Night Watch. Personally it did not grab me like this book but maybe it was just the $40 price tag.
Star Watch by Philip S. Harrington (John Wiley & Sons, 2003)
I use this book almost every time I go out observing. This book takes the night sky and breaks it up by seasons and then tells you what interesting objects are there to obseve. Then it details each object and tells you what to expect to see, whether with your eyes, binoculars or a telescope. It also gives a wow factor for each one. Finally it shows you how to star hop onto the objects with easy to grasp instructions. I very highly recommend this book.
Illustrated Guide To Astonomical Wonders by Robert Bruce Thompson & Barbara Fritchman Thompson (O'Reilly, 2007)
This is a more exhaustive version of Star Watch. The photographs are done in such a way as to fairly accurately show what you might see through an average scope in your backyard. Takes each individual constellation and breaks it down as far as what to observe. It is a pretty good book but I would start with Star Watch because their is no overall star map to tie the constellations together. Also there are objects listed that you will not be able to see without special filters. Save this until you can find your way around the sky a little.
Pocket Sky Atlas by Roger W. Sinnott (Sky Publishing Corp., 2006)
This as the title says is a compact star atlas. It won't really fit in your pocket but it is a manageable size. This has become the standard in the field for a great many observers for good reason. The price is less than $20. It contains stars down to magnitude 7.6 which is ample for most backyard sessions. The charts are big enough to see yet small enough to use at the eyepiece.
Touring The Universe by Ken Graun (Ken Press, 2002)
This is a book I have not seen on too many peoples list. That is a shame. This is a neat book. It is kind of halfway between Night Watch and Star Watch in content. It is spiral bound and the pages are moisture resistant, so it can go outside with you with ease.
National Audubon Society Field Guide To The Night Sky by Mark R. Chartrand III (Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1991)
This feild guide will fit in your back pocket, well your accesories bag for sure. There is a wealth of information in this book, including smallish star maps by Will Trion.
Skywatching, Advanced Skywatching, Practical Skywatching by David H. Levy (Fog City Press)
The third book is a one volume version containing the information presented in the first two books. I see these mainly in the economy section of the bookstore but they are really nice books packed with information. That may actually be the major weakness of these books. The series covers the history of astronomy and space travel. They provide information on the moon, planets, stars, and beyond. The last section of the books is a star hopping guide. For the price these are a great bargain.
I hope you found something of interest here. If you did drop me a note. If you have read areally good beginner book not mentioned here please share the title with me.
Clear skies!
Copyright © 2004 by Kevin Sluder
All rights reserved
Latest revision August 2007