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Summary: You only need five things to be an amateur astronomer
Review: 1. Nightwatch -by the same author- provides an introduction and star maps.2. A pair of good 7X50 or 10X50 binoculars. 3. A red flashlight. 4. A subscription to Astronomy or Sky and Telescope. 5. This book. Period. A definitive guide to amateur astronomy and probably the best available anywhere at any price.
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Summary: Excellent "newbie" reference
Review: After purchasing a telescope and having absolutely no clue on what to do with it, I got this book. I found it to be written with a novice in mind and therefore the explanations weren't too technical. I enjoyed the book immensely.
Rating:
Summary: Answers many many questions for the beginning astronomer
Review: Astronomy can be an intimidating subject for the beginner. This book makes it all clear and covers all the important subjects for the beginning astronomer. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: AN AMAZING, EASY READING BOOK
Review: At the beginning I was just a bit suspicious of buying "one more vulgar amateur book", but after reading it all, I can FULLY recommend to all of you this book.
Photos & edition are simply great, and reading it is a real delight. Easy language (for beginners and/or intermediate level aficionados), first hand advices, no brand-inclined suggestions or recommendations. If you know enough about astronomy (but not an expert, ok?), you can agree with them in almost all authors say. And you, southern hemisphere amateurs, are NOT out of this good reading (many books only cares for specific topics of nothern hemisphere); in fact authors point out very interesting things for us.
Please don't miss this one.
Rating:
Summary: AN AMAZING, EASY READING BOOK
Review: At the beginning I was just a bit suspicious of buying "one more vulgar amateur book", but after reading it all, I can FULLY recommend to all of you this book.
Photos & edition are simply great, and reading it is a real delight. Easy language (for beginners and/or intermediate level aficionados), first hand advices, no brand-inclined suggestions or recommendations. If you know enough about astronomy (but not an expert, ok?), you can agree with them in almost all authors say. And you, southern hemisphere amateurs, are NOT out of this good reading (many books only cares for specific topics of nothern hemisphere); in fact authors point out very interesting things for us.
Please don't miss this one.
Rating:
Summary: Great first reference and resource book.
Review: Based on recommendations from the astronomy newsgroups, I bought this book. This is a great first book to get. It is very comprehensive, giving you all the necessary background before diving into Astronomy. I would call this the "Astronomy Survey Book (101)" cutting a wides swath through many different facets. There is a section on binoculars which I am following. They tell you to start with binoculars before buying a telescope. It forces you to learn the sky, and could save you some $$ if you later decide this isn't for you. I find myself going back to the book to find other books (Star Atlas for example). I like to 'rate' my collection (various books) by the number of slips of paper are hanging out of the pages (marking 'important' sections). There are quite a few slips of paper hanging out, besides the layout of the book is quite intuitive, I find myself flipping to sections without a bookmark quite easily. This is a hardcover book, it is not meant for field use (and I have not seen the need to carry it with me outside). Because of this book, I have ordered a 'slew' of other astronomy books and star charts.
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Summary: Another great work by a prolific author.
Review: Because Dickinson is such a well known writer on the subject of astronomy I ambled to this book with the feeling I was in the midst of a herd of heat-seeking sheep. And because I'm familiar with his work, I felt somewhat delinquent for waiting so long to join the crowd. I'm glad I finally did. A book like this is not only perfect for the beginning novice who hasn't a clue about astronomy or the tools to engage it, but will also serve to enlighten the veteran observer, either by filling gaps in general knowledge, or by enhancing stale techniques. There is nothing left out. Both basic and advanced perspectives, and everything in-between, including a comprehensive glossary of terms. Want to know the true definition of an Airy disk in easy to understand language? How about Wave analysis? Is 1/20th wave really that much better than 1/4? Several times I have gone back to this book to clarify an issue, or to answer a question, either for myself or for the benefit of a fellow observer. There are useful things here - for everyone. It's a big book; an armful with which to unwind in a sofa or with a reading lamp in bed. It finds a place comfortably as a coffee table book, or something for the footstool until you arive - a great companion to that easy chair in the corner - and makes for cozy relaxation in almost any venue. It's a nice book to return to, and one that should maintain a place in the center bookshelves of our homes for decades to come. There used to be five books on my list of essential reading for the amateur astronomer. Now there are six.
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Summary: J Pickens
Review: Dickinson is a delightful and talented astronomer who has a gift of "sharing the wealth" of his experience and excitement for backyard astronomers across the world. This book was my first purchase, based on reviews here and suggestions at star parties. Although (by necessity) telescope reviews and equipment in general will be outdated by the time a book goes to press, his concepts, lessons, and suggestions remain timeless. I have found his advise and approach to astronomy to be full of wisdom; he is a no nonsense author whose primary goal is to be an advocate for the hobby, and if one were to read no other book, this would be the book to read! I would consider this book to be a prerequisite to entering the hobby! Enjoy it as I have.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent first resource
Review: Excellent background on astronomy and equipment, good breadth of material with enough depth. The most useful I found among several for the beginning astronomer.
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Summary: Practical realities of using telescopes and cameras
Review: Featuring gorgeous full-color photography, The Backyard Astronomer's Guide: Revised Edition is a thorough instructional to the exciting and educational world of stargazing, especially for the amateur astronomer. Individual chapters accessibly address facts and features about heavenly bodies, as well as the practical realities of using telescopes and cameras to stargaze, and even applying CCD cameras to capture digital records of the sky. Collaboratively written by Terence Dickinson (Astronomy Commentator for Discovery Channel Canada) and Alan Dyer (Program Producer at the Calgary Science Centre Planetarium and a Contributing Editor to "Sky & Telescope" magazine) is an excellent, practical, beautiful, adventurous, and highly recommended addition to personal, school, and community library Astronomy reference collections.
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