"Nightwatch" by Terence Dickinson, 3rd Edition

"Nightwatch" by Terence Dickinson is one of those astronomy books that you know from the first minute you pick it up, will always be part of your library and part of your "core" observing session resources. If you are like me, keeping things simple when going out to observe is a must and "Nightwatch" certainly helps do just that.

Terence Dickinson is the author of 14 astronomy books, editor of "SkyNews" and an astronomy columnist for "The Toronto Star" and an astronomer. He began his life-long interest in astronomy as a boy of 5 when he saw a brilliant meteor from the sidewalk in front of his home.

Mr. Dickinson has taken great care in writing this book. He takes you one an easy, but thorough guide through astronomy, including what to look for in a telescope or pair of binoculars plus what you can expect to see with an instrument. The star charts are good, just enough detail to get one started but not so overwhelming that it makes your head swim. In fact, within each constellation star chart, he has taken the time to point out items of note and how to view them for the best possible view (i.e. an open cluster, such as the Pleiades, may be noted that viewing it through binoculars is the most effective way to get the true beauty of it.)

The book starts with a chapter of basic cosmology. Written in an easy manner, it starts you on the journey of discovery. You get a galactic perspective about it all. With each subsequent chapter, Mr. Dickinson guides you through backyard astronomy, choosing a telescope, what you can expect to see each season, deep sky items, the planets, sun, moon, eclipses and those infrequent visitors, comets. He also dedicates a chapter to photography, again easily written so the budding amateur astronomer is doesn't go into information overload.

The practicality of "Nightwatch" makes it a great companion out in the field. Not only are the star charts laid out by season, the book itself is spiral bound so it will lay flat and the paperstock is sturdy enough to take a bit of abuse. There is even a list of "deep sky treasures" that will help you familiarize yourself with the sky. It's a great "beginner" list but I think that more advanced astronomers will find it intriguing.

"Nightwatch" is the first guide I pack up with my equipment when I am going out for an evening of observing. I use it as a jumping off point when making out my observing lists so this book gets used quite a bit! I've bought copies for friends and family who have entered into the field of amateur astronomy and the reactions to it are all the same: "This is a great book!"

Negatives: Really, all in all, I can't find any negatives in this book. It is well written by an astronomer for astronomers in a simple and intelligent manner. Like "Burnham's Celestial Handbook", it is an essential resource for anyone who has an interest in astronomy.

If you can buy only one book, let it be "Nightwatch". It will serve you for years to come as a faithful companion in your journey to the stars.

NOTE: My core observing resources include "Nightwatch", "SkyAtlas2000" by Wil Tirion and Rodger W. Sinnott, published by Sky Publishing Corp. and Cambridge University Press and "DeepMap 600" by Wil Tirion and Orion Telescopes.