Product Description
General Books publication date: 2009Original publication date: 1888Original Publisher: Longmans, GreenSubjects: AstronomyJuvenile Nonfiction / Science ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
Many amateur astronomers live in or near cities and have to carry out their observing from relatively light-polluted sites. Fortunately this is not the problem it used to be, and a combination of skill, observing techniques, and modern technology, such as image-intensifiers, can now be used to astonishing effect to view the night sky in real-time. Illustrating the book with images and some of his own superb drawings, Antony Cooke explains how to observe some of the most spectacular objects from less than perfect observing sites.

·The only practical guide to observing truly spectacular astronomical objects from less than perfect locations·The only book to deal in depth with the application of image intensifiers to real-time astronomy·Includes extensive catalogs of spectacular objects that can be seen from suburban sites in both hemispheres·Gives advice on viewing objects and on making realistic images by drawing or video·Contains spectacular images and drawings from the author's own collection ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Really Helpful Book !His Advice Works!
GREAT BOOK - REALLY HELPFUL With practical advice that assisted in my viewing techniques. I had previously considered only a few deep space objects to be viewable from my home.Instead, by combining all of the options available today, the writer shows that our viewing potential is now less limited in poor locations.Plus, not only did he open my eyes to new ways to look at things in deep space, but runs the entire gamut to include new insights on the moon and planets, staples of the city dweller.

Cooke offers many solutions, and image intensifiers and huge scopes are certainly not the only ones, as I have read in more than one place! He merely tries to explore every possibility at these locations, so it baffles me that one reader was not more open to the various ideas, Cooke presents.Plus, there are also loads of illustrations.I particularly liked the catalogs of potential deep space objects for miserable skies.

Highly recommended, this book is probably already a classic to those who have it; essential reading for every suburban astronomer.

Good read
At last a book with some real options and solutions for suburban viewing, other
than the futile task of trying to persuade the rest of the world to turn down the
lights!The author makes a valiant effort to cover as many bases as possible, and
there's something for everyone in this book.Everything from equipment and
accessories to practical observing are tackled; it is clear some things remain
unaffected, while others have become virtually impossible without some of the more
radical solutions the author describes. The illustrations are also particularly
appropriate in providing visual clues for a wide range of equipment possibilities.

Mistitled; should be: Image intensifiers and 18" newts and how to use them
That should be the title to this book-- because it addresses little else applicable or useful to those using different equipment in an urban observing program. Frankly, this book reads like an infomercial for Collin's image intensifiers--who wrote the forward and the only technical chapter in the whole volume, an appendix chapter detailing the specifications of his image intensifiers. Other specialized urban observing techniques and problems/solutions are covered sketchily or not at all--light pollution filters get *one* page total! Weather patterns and their effect upon urban seeing and transparancy are only mentioned in passing. That's all fine *if* a text on the capabilities of image intensifiers as used with large aperture newtonians--on the California seaside, the author's sole observing locale-- is all one is after, but for the majority of urban observers--those not possessing or planning to aquire this type of equipment--there is precious little useful information contained between the covers of this book.

Much space is devoted to examinations of sketching techniques and live video with a large section devoted to a sort of grab bag of lunar and planetary features. These expansions have nothing to do with the purported subject of this book and are in any case much better addressed in the many excellent books devoted to those specific subjects.

In the deep sky sections the many drawings and video captures are virtually all illustrate the view to be had through use of an image intensifier, rendering them less than useful for a typical visual urban observer not using such costly devices.

In sum, this book probably represents the best text available concerning the capabilities of image intensifier use on large aperture telescopes--but communicates little of value to the urban/suburban observer otherwise.

Visual Astronomy In The Suburbs
Great book! Packed with useful information, incredibly thorough and well researched. Cooke is obviously passionate about his subject, and conveys this on every page. Forget sleep, nights are for galaxy gazing, wherever you live.

Perfect for Backyard Stargazing
Visual Astronomy in the Suburbs is expertly written and well punctuated with helpful photographs and illustrations.The author has created the perfect companion for backyard stargazing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

almost perfect in every way
it's a pleasure to encounter a book that makes you say, "oh, that's how i would have done it!" even if you occasionally recognize missed opportunities. crossen's guide to binocular astronomy is remarkably informative, well organized, beautifully illustrated and crisply written (or edited). it's also a bit text heavy, involved, and almost entirely in black and white; the text used in tables is unnecessarily small.

crossen's basic theme is that binoculars reveal the milky way, and the milky way tells a fascinating and awesome story. the constellations are organization by seasons and within the constellations there are detailed observing notes about double stars, star clusters, globular clusters, bright nebula, star clouds and "nearby" galaxies, all keyed to the 10 panels of wil tirion's "bright star atlas".these notes will be useful for observers with binoculars and low magnification telescopes.

the main charm is that crossen continually points toward the "big picture", providing charts of the star clusters in puppis, canis major and monoceros; the brightest individual stars within the scorpius-centaurus association; milky way objects in cygnus/cepheus; and full page photographs (the beautiful e.e. barnard photos, in good reproductions) of star clouds, dark clouds and cluster distributions all around the milky way, including a two page panorama of the galaxy from cygnus to centaurus. (note that these have been republished as "A Photographic Atlas of Selected Regions of the Milky Way".) and there are dozens of finder charts, detail photos, and brief excursions into the earliest mythologies of the sky (a hat tip to burnham's "celestial handbook").

the book starts out at a very basic level, explaining binocular construction, how to select binoculars, how to observe and so on, and introducing the constellations of the four seasons in beginner level, stick figure whole sky maps. but the book teaches a tremendous amount, and at the end you reach the ultimate big picture, "the structure of the milky way" and "galaxies and galaxy groups".

i have several niggles, most important that the book lacks a diagram of the spiral structure of the milky way, or an overlay of measured radial velocities of different star clouds, which would make the story of the milky way's structure much easier to understand; the reader must also visualize carefully to understand the sun's location in relation to many of the deep sky objects. (the visualization is put into words, in the text.) but no one with a passion for understanding the sky and the patience to use binoculars with skill will ever regret the guidance found in this book.

Unapproved 2nd edition
This 2nd edition was edited and published without the consent of the original author (Crossen), because of a dispute with the publisher over an unrelated work published elsewhere. According to Crossen, the updates were sloppy added with other parts altered, in any case done without the author's consent.

If you plan to buy this book, get the original first edition.

Dull and lifeless
I guess the content is decent enough, if you like a dull lifeless book with fine print and no color photo's (just little black dots to represent stars, UG!). If you're like me and love large color photo's and nice glossy pages then GET "The Backyard Astronomer's Guide". Afterall don't we look at the stars because we love the physical beauty of it, well The Backyard Astronomer's Guide has this book beat 100 fold in that regard. Since you can't preview the pages of this book I want to save other unsuspecting victims from making the same mistake I did, wish one of the other reviewers would of steered me straight!

Stunningly thorough, perhaps a bit much for the casual user
Wow, this one has all the information you want or need for binocular observation, and maybe more. If you enjoy astronomy and want one book for binocular astronomy, get this one. It will keep you busy with your binoculars for a long time.

The first chapter introduces the basics of star-watching: constellations, the celestial sphere, seasonal changes, and so on. It also includes a short discussion about choosing and using binoculars. The technical information is a little dated (the optics world has changed in the past 15 years!), but the rest is good solid information.

The next four chapters cover the sky by season. They each introduce the seasonal constellations, and the move straight to the good stuff. And what good stuff it is. Terrificly detailed descriptions of hundreds and hundreds of targets for you to look at, with drawings, charts, and photographs to help you find and identify them.

But be forewarned, this book is by and for amateur astronomers. If your interest in the night sky is very casual, a "twice-a-summer" affair, this book may overwhelm you. For example, it uses the Bayer and Flamsteed IDs for stars (Greek letters and numbers, respectively), and gives directions using degree measurements. You will need and use the star atlas at the rear of the book. Most of this can be quickly learned, but it does demand that you pay attention. This is a good thing. :-)

Chapter 6 describes and illustrates the structure of our own galaxy. It's interesting and very instructive.

Chapter 7 sends you out looking for galaxies. Galaxies, my friends, and with binoculars no less! But with a decent pair of household 10x50 binoculars and a dark sky, you'll be amazed at how the universe unfolds before you.

Appendix A covers the history of the constellations we use to navigate the sky; I found it good "cloudy night" reading. Appendix B covers the basics of stars (e.g., formation, evolution, and categorization), but there are better resources for this information. Appendix C is a very outdated bibliography; the most recent book noted is from 1991.

Finally, the book include indices for every object type, and the ten star charts of the"Bright Star Atlas", which as I said you will need and use.

Anyone with even a passing interest will learn something on nearly every page of this book.

I will say that this book could use an update in look and feel. It doesn't have the polish of, say, "Nightwatch" or even "Turn Left". With an edit and format makeover, a revised edition would just blow the competition away.

As it is, this book expects some effort on your part (which, repeat this, is a good thing). It has numerous detailed charts to guide you, but it could use even more.

Not all objects described are illustrated; that would triple the page count. And the photographs, printed on ordinary (non-glossy) paper stock, are poor cousins of what we've become accustomed to. But they're serviceable in the sense that you get an idea what the field will look like when you get to your target. But don't buy the book for the pictures.

These few negatives don't add up to even a one-star drop in my rating. For the amateur astronomer, this is the cream even if you're just starting the hobby.

But for the person with a passing, post-barbecue curiosity about the darkening sky, this is too much. For you, this is a two-star book; S&T's "Binocular Highlights" may be a better choice for you.

With this book in hand, a red flashlight to read by, and a clear sky above your lounge chair, your binoculars will reveal brand new beautiful and awesome sights for many years to come.

an outstanding resource for the binocular observer
I wrote this review in 2002 for a very well known astronomy website.In my opinion, this is an outstanding resource for the binocular observer.It is not a stand alone book/atlas.Few astronomy references are stand alone.In fact, in my original review I also stated, " The intermediate amateur not only uses a good set of star charts but also might own a deep sky object reference book. The charts are the road maps to the sky but the object references are the library in which we discover the meanings of the objects we view. No one reference seems to have it all. Where one reference book is found, usually another is not far away."Binocular Astronomy is one such object reference.A bonus is that it also provides a quick use atlas in the back of the book.However, the person wishing to become an avid observer will own and use a set of star charts along with this outstanding reference.

Ed Zarenski, CN Binocular Forum Moderator

from 2002
Binocular Astronomy, by Crossen and Tirion, $24.95, $30 to $60 used, 182 pgs. 8.5x11 hard. Organized by season. Lists about 250 objects visible in binoculars. Has a ten-page set of mag 6.5 star charts, The Bright Star Atlas, in the back of the book, nice for the binocular enthusiast who might not have a separate atlas. Chart scale is 29mm per 10 degrees. This book includes a data table to chart reference for every item identified in the text of the book. Larger size detail charts are included in each seasonal section. A great strength of the book is the outstanding sky photos with deep sky objects identified, making this a great choice for the beginner or avid novice. Some of these sky photos look exactly like the views thru my 10x50s and 15x70s. This can definitely be usable as more than a binocular guidebook and could easily be recommended for the avid novice telescope user. A great reference. Highly Recommended!
... Read more

Product Description

The Compendium of Practical Astronomy is unique. The practical astronomer, whether student, novice or accomplished amateur, will find this handbook the most comprehensive, up-to-date and detailed single guide to the subject available. It is based on Roth’s celebrated German language handbook for amateur astronomers, which first appeared over 40 years ago.

With amateurs and students and teachers of astronomy in high schools and colleges particularly in mind over 10 leading astronomers have worked under the careful editorship of Günter Roth to cover all aspects of practical astronomy.

Customer Reviews (1)

A Must for the Amateur Astronomer

This is one of the classics. It explains the basics of optics, telescopes and the sky as well as any book out there. Yes, the imaging info is very dated, but that field is changing rapidly and nothing published before yesterday is up to date.

The information about the relationship between optics and vision is hard to find anywhere and a revelation. It explains how certain aberrations appear and change because of the way the eye works with telescopes and eyepieces.

I have recently decided that I want to make a mirror scope, valuable basic information here, as well. The techniques have not changed much in 25 years.

Many more topics are covered, the book is quite comprehensive and the author writes clearly and plainly.

Highly recommended and a bargain here at Amazon.
... Read more

Product Description
With this extraordinary handbook, you, too, can frame the stars and have them hanging on your livingroom walls. Astrophotography for the Amateur provides a complete guide to taking pictures of stars, galaxies, the Moon, the Sun, comets, meteors and eclipses, using equipment and materials readily available to the hobbyist. Based on suggestions from readers of the first edition, the new edition has been completely updated and expanded to include new chapters on computer image processing and CCD imaging; expanded advice on choosing cameras and telescopes; completely updated information about films; a much larger bibliography; and hundreds of new photographs (in color and black and white) demonstrating the latest equipment and techniques. Astrophotography for the Amateur has become the standard handbook for all amateur astronomers. This new edition provides an ideal introduction for beginners and a complete handbook for advanced amateurs. It will also appeal to photography enthusiasts who will discover how to take spectacular images with only modest equipment.Michael A. Covington received his Ph.D. at Yale University. He is the author of several books, including Syntactic Theory in the High Middle Ages (Cambridge, 1984).He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and is the Associate Director of the Artificial Intelligence Center at the University of Georgia. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Good but slightly outdated.
A good book but it is outdated, so it makes it kinda difficult to remember.

Great bargain
The three stars are more for the condition of the book itself, not the overall transaction experience. This is the classic case of getting what you pay for, and I think I did. The book was listed in "good" condition, but is falling apart at the binding (pages are falling out) but the print is clear despite the fact that it seems to be soaked with some kind of light oil or perfume (maybe spilled on it?). It would have helped if the seller mentioned this problem, but even at less than 1/10 the price of a new book, I might not have chosen to buy it if I knew this. There are only a few pages I needed from it anyway, and after xeroxing them I keep the book in a plastic baggie to contain the smell. I am satisfied with the amount I paid for this book.

Very good reference book for any astrophotographer
Micheal Covington's book covers all aspects of astrophotography starting from objects, from camera selection to films, exposure methods, mounts and drives, guiding of the mount & guiding accuracy/errors, and of course the CCD imaging. I also gives ideas on how to build a simple barn door mount. It does not end at taking exposures. After an exposure is taken we have to convert it into an acceptable quality print or into a computer file. Images can be greatly improved by digital processing. So it also covers image processing ideas. The only point to be noted is that one must look at his website and download the errata. The book has many printing errors, some of which are trivial though. That, of course, must not deter any user. I consider is my best field guide book on this topic. I believe his recent edition has got over these errors - not mine. I bought mine in 1999.

Great Introductory book
This book is a must in doing amateur astrophotography if you are going serious. It has lots of information which is very useful.For example it teach you to calculate the focal ratio using diferent techniques of takig pictures with the telescope, it help you calculate the exposure times in order to photograph the moon or a constelation on a tripod.
It is an excellent source but you have to do calculations(formulas).If you don't like numbers, this book is not for you, but if you do like numbers this book is very useful.

My best book on astrophotography
I've bought a handful of books on the subject, and this one is head and shoulders above the rest. Some of the other books have lots of pretty pictures, and very little information on actually taking photos. I found the instructions easy to follow, and when I had a question, or needed to figure something out, this book always had it. Two big thumbs up! ... Read more

Product Description
This handbook for beginner as well as advanced amateur astronomers, attempts to cover the most important galaxies and nebulas that telescope users observe. The core of the book is a visual atlas of deep sky objects. Drawings and photographs on the same scale are presented to aid identification. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Worth the read
This book has become a collectors item, prices range from $195-$400. It's an excellent book but I would suggest borrowing it from a library, like I did, before making a decision to buy it. There is about 64 pages of technical information on issues associated with viewing DSO. I found the technical information interesting but difficult to follow at times, it took me a number of readings to absorb the material. The rest of the book is a compilation of Dr. Clark's observation logs and several appendices. For the most part he uses a homemade 8-inch f/11.5 Cassegrain. Glancing through the observational logs I noticed that Dr, Clark used either a 38mm (1), 28mm Erfle (9), 20mm Erfle (48), 12.5mm Orthoscopic (5), 12.4mm Erfle (48), 9mm Kellner (5), 7mm Erfle (9) and 6mm Orthoscopic (1), numbers in brackets are the number of times he used the eyepiece. There were about 68 observational drawings with the 20mm and 12.4mm eyepieces being used 48 times each, therefore dominating his observing. If Dr. Clark used more than 1 eyepiece for the observation he would sometimes label the eyepiece that yielded the best view. It is clear to me from Dr. Clark's book that a lot of DSOs and their details can be seen from a dark site by a visual observer with good averted vision skills, a few carefully choosen good eyepieces, such as a 20mm and 12mm for example, and a reasonably sized telescope ~ f/10, 8-inch SCT.

Not for the casual reader, but very informative
Want to see spiral arms of M33, M51 or M101... in a 10 inch scope? Confused about why certain not-too-dim "faint fuzzies" cannot be seen at all- even at low power under clear, dark conditions? Do you enjoy lots of graphs, charts, equations and technical writing?Then this book is for you.

Roger Nelson Clark's book gives the Serious observer of the deep sky the skills necessary to milk the most information outof every last photon of light when observing visually. He gives an extremely complete recounting of studies of the human visual system, most specifically in terms of its ability to adapt to dark conditions and perceive subtle differences in contrast, and its acuity under low-light conditions.

He asserts that there is, statistically, not a very wide range of light perception ability in the human population (amounsgt those without obvious visual disease) and that techniques he outlines in the book will help any committed student of the sky see more details.

His conclusions?The bottom line is: most of us aren't using enough magnification. Many assume that the "richest field" view of a scope, providing the brightest image per unit area, will also allow the for the greatest amount of observed detail.Clark, however, shows that this is not the case.Indeed, at low light levels, the human visual system is not very acute, (unlike daytime vision) and that many of the details in our favorite "faint fuzzies" simply cannot be seen unless they are magnfied enough for their light to spread out over a larger portion of our retinae.

Also, magnifying has the added effect of dimming the background around an object as well as the object itself.The human eye is excellent, it turns out, in perceiving subtle differences in contrast, and that an overall reduction in light per unit area does not affect this as much as one would think. What's more, when reducing the overall amount of light entering the eye, dark adapation improves.Clark outlines the results of studies that show that in complete darkness, the dark adapted human eye can detect points of light equivilant to an 8.5 mag star!So, in looking trough an eyepiece, one's eye can, in fact, become more dark adapted than it would be under the ambient light of the sky.

He demonstrates how to compute the "optimum detection magnification"- not too high not too low- for a given object, given its brightness per unit area and its size.

An excellent feature of the book are Clark's drawings of a host of astronomical objects through scopes of various sizes.This gives an excellent indication of what one should be able to see under decent atmospheric conditions.

One weakness in the book, I find, is the charts of "recommended optimum detection magnifications".While the concept that such a magification exists is a good one to know, and its exposition in this book complete and useful, the execution of this chart is full of glitches.While the overall gist of the book suggests that many of us aren't "cranking it up enough", many of suggested optimum magnifications are absurdly high.Many are useful, however.You'll just have to find out which is which for yourself.I chalk this up to sloppy editing.

Don't, however, let this dissuade you from getting this book.If you fit the desciption above, then this book will change the way you useyour scope.

DEEPLY informative and teaching.
I found this book a must for anyone wanting to exploit visual limits in skygazing with a telescope. It analyses in depth the average visual acuity and translates the priorly published results ino a guide to get the best possible power to observe anything through a telescope. Then suggest (with lots of examples) a very usseful way of making a observing log. It includes a catalogue with more than 600 deep sky objects, a table wich can be used as a guide to observe them with a telescope an example computer program in Basic and Fortran to be used as a basis to get the best possible conditions to study any object. It helped me to find M1, M81 and M101 in the light poluted place un northwestern Mexico City were I use my 78mm telescope. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Review of "An Amateur Radio Telescope"
Well if you're a Amateur Radio Astronomer like me then this little book is ripe with general information to be able to get you setup and ready to go. First Published in 1980 it is only 58 pages measuring 153mm x 227mm almost a pocket book!
Six Chapters are well written and detail the Project of setting up a Working Radio Telescope which will reward you with success. A must have if you are also a collector of rare books on this subject matter as well. ... Read more

Product Description
Many amateur astronomers make their own instruments, either because of financial considerations or because they are just interested. Amateur Telescope Making offers a variety of designs for telescopes, mounts and drives which are suitable for the home-constructor. The designs range from simple to advanced, but all are within the range of a moderately well-equipped home workshop. Thus each chapter begins with reasons for undertaking the project, then looks at theoretical consideration before finishing with practical instructions and advice. An indication is given as to the skills required for the various projects. Appendices list reputable sources of (mail order) materials and components. The telescopes and mounts range from "shoestring" (very cheap) instruments to specialist devices that are unavailable commercially. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

A little disappointing
The book is not a clear, step by step book.It could stand major revisions.

I would say semi - amateur telescope making
As with other books I have read about telescope making, the writer chooses to focus on mirror grinding principles and on his own projects. The lack of basic formulas to constructing telescopes is very disapointing. Nevertheless it is a very good book to read for those who already have the basic skills and are probably moving to their second or third project. So as I claim in the title... I believe this book is for "semi - amateur" telescope builders!

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY
This is an edited book with different authors contributing an article each. Thus these is no coherency. It seems that the editor had asked each contributing author to just give an article about his or her telescope making experience. Thus all the chapters are separate entities without any cross-references (between chapters). Finally they do not go in any detail what so ever. It is more like a "1001 Project Book" which claims that (after reading the book) you can do every thing from repairing cars, TVs, VCR, DVDs to building an airplane, except that the book only devote half a page to all the 1001 projects. You just cannot make a telescope by reading this book (unless you already know how to make one).

BTW: you can find more information on the web than what this book delivers. I am just glad that I borrowed it from the library, and did not buy it.

A great telescope making book for anyone.......
We are an amateur astronomy loving family who got into making our own telescopes after getting involved in the Friday night telescope classes and lectures at the Chabot observatory in Oakland California back in the early 80's.

And being homeschoolers we were also big science fans and have always encouraged people to become as hands on science minded as possible.This books is a perfect example of hands on science at its best as well as a book that should put to rest the idea that only rich people own telescopes or that only people with science degrees use telescope.

The book is shy 300 pages and covers everything from Shoestring telescopes you can make, using items you have around the house as well as items you can find for free at carpet stores. Specialized telescopes is about building a high contrast planetary setup, as well as Rright camera.There is an excellent section on mounts.I would hope every library would own a copy of the book and believe that every homeschooling family should as well.

Good for ideas
Unlike conventional ATM books, this one does not cover basic work. Either use available optics for the simple stuff, or you will have to make stuff for the more advanced projects.

There are some excellent designs for DIY mounts and drives. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

the sky is unlimited
the book is one that should be read before buying a telescope. easily readable, many helpful hints for novices and how to get started without the many fustrations that could take away the enjoyment possibilities. a good guide to use befor you began stargaZing and many helpful information to proceed from a novice to higher levels.

great for beginners
Got this book while I was helping my daughter work on her sky searcher badge for girl scouts. Great book for a beginner. My daughter read it cover to cover.

Secrets of Stargazing
This is an excellent and complete survey of all the little tricks and big lessons that will turn a novice stargazer into a wise observer in no time. I've been an amateur astronomer for 50 years and it took many of those years for me to learn the secrets that are painlessly shared in this book. If you are interested in astronomy and want to quickly learn more, you can't beat this book for an amazing jump-start. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Product Description
This collection of fifty-one fascinating and engagingactivities opens up the gateway to outer space for stargazers youngand old. Emphasizing group and family interaction, authors PhilipHarrington and Edward Pascuzzi provide innovative activities that willhelp children identify, understand, and appreciate the objects in theMilky Way and galaxies beyond.

With this book, you will become familiar with the constellations,planets, and phases of the moon. You will learn how sundials andtelescopes work and even how to build your own. You'll also discoverwhat causes shooting starts, auroras, nebulae, and other galacticphenomena.

Charts of lunar-eclipse and meteor-shower dates will help you planyour viewing schedules. Clear, helpful diagrams, star charts, andphotographs will guide you through the world of astronomy and makethis book a delight to use. ... Read more

Product Description
Winner of the 1987 New York Academy of Sciences Children's Science Book Award, Exploring the Night Sky is aimed at novice star gazers anxious to expand their astronomical repertorie beyond the Big and Little Dippers. Dickinson has designed a superb introduction to astonomy that is clear, concise, and very "user friendly" no matter what the child's age. 50 color photographs and illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Great book for kids & adults.
We purchased this book for our grandchildren so that they can learn about & enjoy the night skies through our telescope.

Exploring the night sky
We purchased this for our eight year old grandson. We selected this particular book for its clear text.Our grandson seemed pleased to receive it.

Little information
Childrens book, but even for that, din motivate stuff appropriately. I had to give it half heartedly to the kid having thrown money :-((

A GIFT FOR MY UNIVERSE LOVING SON
THIS GUIDE IS VERY USEFUL AND INTERESTING. WE ARE TOTALLY BEGINNERS AND FACINATED AT THAT.

Young Minds Latch onto the Stars
My eight-year-old grandson practically ate up this book, he was so excited and interested. He had gotten a telescope for Christmas and this book brought his explorations of the night sky to life. ... Read more

Product Description

This is the book to tell the intermediate-level amateur astronomer what he needs to know about observatories. It draws on the author’s practical experience and that of many other experienced amateur astronomers.

It is an ideal complement to Patrick Moore’s More Small Astronomical Observatories which is a compendium of ideas for different observatory designs. Setting-up a Small Observatory covers the details of design, siting and construction once a basic type has been decided upon.

It is written in a way that is equally applicable to the USA and UK (where there are slightly different building regulations) and deals with matters that are basic to building and commissioning any amateur observatory. Uniquely, David Arditti also considers the aesthetics of amateur observatories – fitting them in with family and neighbors, and maybe disguising them as more common garden buildings if necessary.

Every amateur astronomer who wants a purpose-built observatory (and that is most of them!) will find this book absolutely invaluable both during the planning and the construction stages.

Customer Reviews (4)

Lots of really good anecdotal information!
I totally enjoyed this book! There were many helpful tips and observations from authors that have "been there and done that!" One of the other reviewers noted that he thought this was "padded" with extraneous information. I would disagree because I found much of the surrounding information thoughtful and additive to my project. Ultimately, some of the "additional information" has already saved me some serious money! The topic is well described and has some brilliant ideas. I am buying a second copy for my son's project. Perhaps it will cover an item or two that was not obvious and save an expensive mistake!

Too much extraneous information?
Well, the book definitely provided the information it promised. I feel much more prepared to build my own observatory now. But it strayed from the stated subject often and filled up pages with astronomy and telescope information that is available elsewhere. I got the feeling that it was padded - or maybe just mistitled. Maybe it should have been called "Setting-Up a Small Observatory: From Concept to Construction and a Bunch of Other Stuff You Probably Already Know Since You Are Considering an Observatory of Your Own Anyway".

Don't hesitate to buy it for the information you need.Just be prepared for a bit of wandering.

Good book
If you are looking for information about how built an amateur observatory, here you have all you need to know.

Great Place to Start
This is a great basic introductory book.If you're looking for ideas and don't want to re-invent the wheel, and make the same mistakes that others have made when THEY made their observatory, buy this book.I highly recommend it; easy reading, with good author support!5 of 5 stars. ... Read more

Product Description
Many of the most spectacular astronomical objects are found in the southern skies. With this up-to-date, superbly illustrated handbook, both the amateur with binoculars and the expert with a telescope can make discoveries about new and interesting objects. Professor E. J. Hartung first produced his comprehensive and highly respected guide in 1968. Now the book has been greatly expanded and thoroughly revised, enhancing its character as an indispensable information source. With over 150 illustrations, new material is included on constellations and celestial coordinate systems as well as more modern descriptions of stars, nebulae and galaxies. The authors have included a new "southern Messier" list of objects. The authors' passion for their subject make this a unique and inspirational book. Many of the beautiful photographs were taken by David Malin, the world's leading astronomical photographer. The result will fascinate active and armchair astronomers alike. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Southern Sky Handbook
This book is expensive, but if you want a really good coverage of the southern skies for obssrving and what you can see and where, this is a good book for that. Covers every area and has lots of good photos and great list of deep sky objects.I strongly recommend it .

A great by-the-telescope companion to Southern observers
I love this book. It has been my sole companion during long nights of telescope observation.

Most amateur astronomy guides have been written by people living in the Northern Hemisphere, thus neglecting the wonderful objects available to Southern observers. We have access to the MagellanicClouds, Carina, the best globular clusters, the center of the Milky Way,etc. I have known amateurs that, misled by Northern guides (which are a lotcheaper), venerated the Orion nebula but knew nothing about Eta Carinae ! Or the Magellanic Clouds. What a shame !

The book begins with a veryconcise and to the point theoretical exposition of the main objects ofobservation for amateur astronomers. Although I had already read quite afew astronomy books before this one, this section proved insightful anduseful.

The guide then presents a large list of astronomical objetsavailable from the Southern Hemisphere, with the usual characterizarion bypopular and catalogue names, kind, visual magnitude, etc. and giving theexact RA-DEC coordinates for epoch 2000 (my other guide, the venerableBurnham's Celestial Handbook is based on epoch 1950 coordintes).

Abeautiful collection of photographs by the magician of astronomicalphotography (David Malin) embellishes the book, but is somehow disconnectedfrom the rest of the content, in the sense that it presents astronomicalobjects as they are recorded by film and not the human eye at the eyepiece,and is thus not very hepful for finding and appreciating them.

But thecore of the book is the description of astronomical objects, organized byconstellation. This has proved to be a key resource for me in the planningof my observing sessions. A selection of "best objects" is alwayssubjective, so you have to rely on the goodjudgement of the author.Besides, you cannot base your choices just on the scientific value or theinterest to research observatories: the relative value of objects can neverbe the same to an amateur with a 10 inch telescope than it is to aprofessional astronomer with access to a 5 meter scope. A galaxy that lookswonderful on a Palomar, Keck or HST photograph, can be no more than asource of frustration for amateurs with standard equipment.

A handbookfor amateur astronomers has to be a very different thing than an Astronomyhandbook.

It is in this sense that the book excels. The advise, from thestandpoint of amateurs, on the best objects to point your scope to, and onwhat to expect at the eyepiece has proved to be right again and again. Itis like having with you a very experienced friend with your same equipment.Given the very limited dark-site time I have, I greatly appreciate thepossibility of making the best use of it.

If have a moderately largeamateur telescope and you live in the Southern Hemisphere, this book, ...is a very good investment. Especially considering thecost of all the equipment you already own! Think of it as the software foryour hardware... ... Read more