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Speaking of Books

Started by Ron500E , Mar 04 2013 10:43 PM
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27 replies to this topic

#1 Ron500E

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Posted 04 March 2013 - 10:43 PM

Another Newbie question....

What books would you consider "essential" for the novice to have, or add, to his/her library?"

Perhaps hard to believe but not every night, in Chicago at least, has perfect conditions for viewing. On those rare nights I feel I should sharpen my astronomy skills by reading.
This will form the foundation of a collection that will be given to a local school (grades 9-12) after I assume room temperature.
Thanks,

Ron

#2 Datapanic

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Posted 04 March 2013 - 10:46 PM

"Telescopes for Skygazing" by Henry E. Paul. It may be out of print, but you can find used copies around. It should be on the book shelf of any Classic Scope Person's Library!

#3 dgreyson

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Posted 05 March 2013 - 11:49 AM

Turn Left at Orion:
A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope - and How to Find Them

#4 skyquest25

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Posted 05 March 2013 - 12:18 PM

Starlight Nights: The Adventures of a Star-Gazer
by Leslie C. Peltier

While not an informational book in itself, it is one of the best inspirational astronomy books ever written !

#5 CounterWeight

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Posted 05 March 2013 - 12:50 PM

I always like to recommend "NightWatch A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe" by Terrence Dickinson.

#6 okieav8r

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Posted 05 March 2013 - 02:04 PM

Some good recommendations so far. I would add my favorite, The Backyard Observers Guide, by Dickinson and Dyer.

#7 Crow Haven

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Posted 05 March 2013 - 03:32 PM

"Celestial Sampler" by Sue French.
---Maya

#8 RobertED

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Posted 05 March 2013 - 03:51 PM

Some good recommendations so far. I would add my favorite, The Backyard Observers Guide, by Dickinson and Dyer.


....I second this one!!......

#9 RobertED

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Posted 05 March 2013 - 03:52 PM

I always like to recommend "NightWatch A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe" by Terrence Dickinson.


I second this one, too!! Gee, another book by Mr. Dickinson!! Hmmmm!!

#10 GDN

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Posted 05 March 2013 - 03:56 PM

And of course, no one should be without the Peterson's Field Guide to the Stars and Planets.


Cheers,

Jerry

G.O.Dobek, FRAS

#11 turtle86

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Posted 05 March 2013 - 04:35 PM

"Celestial Sampler" by Sue French.
---Maya


"Deep Sky Wonders" by Sue French

#12 Rick Woods

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Posted 05 March 2013 - 08:41 PM

Burnham's Celestial Handbook.

#13 droid

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Posted 05 March 2013 - 10:09 PM

Burnham's Celestial Handbook.


All three of them, love em

#14 Traveler

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Posted 08 March 2013 - 01:30 AM

+1 The Backyard Observers Guide, by Dickinson and Dyer.
+1 Burnham's Celestial Handbook
+1 Turn Left at Orion

#15 Traveler

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Posted 08 March 2013 - 01:32 AM

...and the S&T Pocket Sky atlas.

#16 Daniel Mounsey

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Posted 09 March 2013 - 03:07 AM

Burnham's Celestial Handbook.

#17 RocketScientist

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Posted 09 March 2013 - 10:09 PM

The Modern Moon by Charles Wood. This book will bring you up to date on current knowledge of lunar science, and will point out a good many interesting lunar targets for your telescope. You'll also need some kind of lunar atlas.

Too many amateur astronomers neglect the Moon. It's really quite a fascinating object.

#18 RocketScientist

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Posted 09 March 2013 - 10:23 PM

The Modern Moon by Charles Wood. This book will bring you up to date on current knowledge of lunar science, and will point out a good many interesting lunar targets for your telescope. You'll also need some kind of lunar atlas.

Too many amateur astronomers neglect the Moon. It's really quite a fascinating object.


Unfortunately I've just discovered this book is out of print. That's really unfortunate, as I'm not aware of any other similar books.

#19 Sarkikos

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 01:24 PM

I can't think of any astronomy book that I'd consider essential for a novice or anyone else.

Maybe Wood's Modern Moon comes closest to an essential book for lunar. If you're going to count atlases, maybe the S&T laminated Moon maps.

Suiter's Star Testing is pretty much essential if you want to evaluate your telescope's optics.

But other than these two or three... eh :shrug:

Mike

#20 SusanY

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 01:43 PM

A good newbie lunar book is "Discover the Moon," by Jean Lacroux and Christian Legrand. It has a day-to-day guide complete with photographs, detailing which major features you can view near the terminator each day of the lunar cycle. It's really handy – and you’ll have an amazing time exploring the moon!

#21 faackanders2

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 07:46 PM

Turn Left at Orion:
A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope - and How to Find Them


+1 "Turn Left at Orion" for 9-12

#22 faackanders2

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 07:48 PM

I always like to recommend "NightWatch A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe" by Terrence Dickinson.


+1

Also Backyard Astronomer Guide (for equipment)

#23 faackanders2

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 07:50 PM

...and the S&T Pocket Sky atlas.


Sky Atlas 2000 the colored version

#24 RocketScientist

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 09:42 PM


I like my Hatfield Photographic Lunar Atlas. It's the one that gets pulled down most often when I'm trying to identify a new lunar feature. Mine is the 1999 version now selling for about $39. I don't know anything about the new "re-mastered" version selling for twice that much. The pictures are a bit blurry, but completely usable.

I like my 21st Century Atlas of the Moon, but I've only just received it and haven't really tried to use it yet.

For deep-sky, there are uncountable books and atlases out there. If you haven't already downloaded the free Tri-Atlas, go out and do so. It's three complete atlases of the sky on PDFs, down to different limiting magnitudes and scale. Google "tri atlas" and it will come right up.

#25 rookie

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Posted 12 March 2013 - 10:10 PM

Another Newbie question....
What books would you consider "essential" for the novice to have, or add, to his/her library?"
Thanks, Ron


The Beginner's Observing Guide: An Introduction to the Night Sky for the Novi... is a really great resource. The book is published by the RASC, origionally written in 1943 by Leo Enright. I have the revised 2003 5th edition and it appears that Mr. Enright has penned all the updates. There is a more recent 6th edition that was completed before the author passed away. It's very well written, easy to understand and concise. There are seasonal star maps on fold out pages inside, tips on purchasing equipment, observing planets, variable stars, etc. Everybody should have one.
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