Observing Books Archives

The Year-round Messier Marathon Field Guide: Author: Harvard C. Pennington

n the forward to this book Perry W. Remaklus describes Harvard Pennington as a tireless promoter of the Messier Marathon. Pennington envisioned the marathon as a means of encouraging amateur astronomers, to promote their growth as observers. Unfortunately he died of heart disease prior to the publication of this book.

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Collinder Catalog of Open Star Clusters

The Collinder Catalog

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Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders

'Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders' is very a practical guidebook for deep sky observers

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Deep Sky Companions: Hidden Treasures

Book review of Deep Sky Companions: Hidden Treasures

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Atlas of the Messier Objects: Highlights of the Deep Sky

My first thought when I picked the book up was that this was going to be some heavy reading. Literally. The book weighs over five pounds and measures 12 inches by 10 inches, weight and proportions combining to make the book somewhat awkward to holding while reading. This is not a book to

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The Backyard Astronomers Guide - Book Review

The book is a very useful in-depth guide to astronomy for beginners and enthusiasts. The book is in full colour with a hardback cover and 370 pages. The contents are divided into three main parts

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Observing Handbook and Catalogue of Deep-Sky Objects

I'm a hard-core observer and love nothing better than a good reference book with information that is relevant to my goals. Since my friend Roger and I started an Observer's Challenge with the

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Herschel 400 Observing Guide - Book Review

Stephen O’Meara describes his observing site and the telescope he used to make all of his observations. One of the most helpful sections for someone who is new to the hobby or who has gone through the Messier list of objects is

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The Urban Astronomer's Guide

Living in the South Florida Peninsula, you get used to light pollution.

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Complete Guide to Stargazing - Brook Review

Hello, I am pretty new to astronomy, my brother recently showed me this website, which is priceless for anyone just getting started or someone who just can't decide on their next purchase

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Celestial Sampler - A Sampling Book Review

A review of the book Celestial Sampler, a deep sky observing guide.

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Jupiter and How to Observe It

This book is in the class of “everything you ever wanted to know” type books

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In Starland with a 3" Telescope

Book review of "In Starland with a 3" Telescope"

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Cambridge Double Star Atlas

a review of the latest Double Star Atlas, and a comparison with the Pocket Sky Atlas

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Herschel 400 Observing Guide - Book Review

For many of the goals (lists) that you set, a good observing guide can be a great help. Observing guides for amateur astronomers have been popular since

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The Next Step: Finding and View Messier Objects

During my first attempt at a Messier Marathon, in March of 2005, I paid close attention to the sorts of gear and references other amateur astronomers brought out to aid them in this one night pursuit of the archetypical celestial catalog.

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Astronomy Magazine Atlas of the Stars

Astronomy Magazine touts Atlas of the Stars as a must have for all stargazers

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Book Review: Star Clusters & How to Observe Them

One of the books in the series is Mark Allison's Star Clustersa guide to observing techniques related to, information about, and an observing list of, star clusters

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Backyard Astronomer's Guide, Third Edition - Book Review

As many a new astronomer might aspire, astrophotograhy is one of the reasons for jumping into the field of astronomy. The sheer magnitude

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Sky and Telescope’s Pocket Sky Atlas - Book Review

It shows stars to magnitude 7.6 which includes all stars visible in a modest finderscope. There are 80 charts on facing pages each pair covering

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Turn Left at Orion: A hundred night sky objects to see in a small telescope–and how to find them...

The authors introduce beginners to the night sky; celestial motion, constellations, and the various objects one can expect to see with a modest telescope

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3 Star Atlas Comparison

This is a comparison of three star atlases. Actually its not so much a comparison as three separate reviews, based purely on my own experiences as an amateur astronomer over a 30 year period. Readers should note up front that it reflects my personal biases, as an Australian, as an observer of southern skies, and as primarily a deep sky viewer.

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Atlas of the Southern Night Sky

Clearly from the title this recent release is a dedicated Atlas of the Southern Hemisphere, and so as far as I know it is a first

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Night Sky: Backyard Astronomy for Everyone:A Review of the New Sky Publishing Magazine for Beginn...

Sky and Telescope magazine has something in common with it’s worthy rival, Astronomy. Both publications best serve amateur astronomers who already have some knowledge of astronomy, both as a science and as a hobby. This doesn’t render these publications completely inaccessible to a beginner, but it certainly can limit their usefulness for those who don‘t know a Nagler from a nebula. Until recently this gap in education and experience has been filled almost exclusively - and very well - by books such as Dickinson’s Nightwatch.

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Deep Sky Objects

This book has comprehensive star chars, tables and an index. Amateur and professional photographs are also included for almost every object.

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