71 replies to this topic

[NinePlanets]

My absolute favorite two astro books from my youth were:

 

Norton's Star Atlas and Reference Handbook...  (I had a few editions of it that I tended gave away to worthy novices. Once they defiled the book with metric measurements I never bought another edition. So sad.)

 

The Amateur Astronomer's Handbook by Sidgwick

 

Throw in a whizzy-wheel like Philip's Planisphere and you're al set. 

[Jehujones]

My absolute favorite two astro books are NSOG vol1 and vol2.

probably not exactly guide books, they presume you already know the basics. 

[vintageair]

Just added these two to my collection.....

 

edmund printing.jpg

I really like the hand drafted style of the illustrations in the Edmund books, it makes them interesting.

[mikemxyzzy]

If you like the Edmund Mag 5 Start Atlas there is a Github project from someone who recreated it:

 

https://johanley.git...geon/index.html

 

I have no association with it, I just stumbled across it.

[Dave Mitsky]

Some advanced freeware star atlases can be downloaded at the following URLs:
 

https://www.deepskyw...-atlas-full.pdf
 

https://www.cloudyni...ar-charts-r1021
 

https://allans-stuff.com/triatlas/

[NinePlanets]

Dave Mitsky:

 

That first link you posted is a gem! I had no idea it existed. Wonderful resource! 

Thank you! Thank the author!

[MrsM75]

My first scope was a gift from my wife (to be).

 was a 114mm Tasco Newt on a shaky EQ mount 

[classic hobby killer]

I gently asked if we could return it and I showed her the Coulter ad in the back of S&T.

 She was all for it and I still love that scope  (and her)

 

This is beyond awesome Sir Jehu. This is why I like you and has great respect for you it because you always talk so fondly of your wife, there just so much love when you talk about Mrs. Jehu. This is awesome.

 

Please write more, I love reading words like this. 

[Madscrambler]

[quote name="Neanderthal" post="14179614" timestamp="1749730977"]

Guess I'm an outlier, I didn't like it (TLaO) and never gelled with the illustrations.

[Madscrambler]

I also felt the same way it seems so 70’s in format. I am going to give it another try at the GSSP later this month; perhaps then I will revisit my opinion. I have watch the authors You Tube videos (the real author) and respect his work and vocation.

[vtornado]

"I also felt the same way it seems so 70’s in format".  That's a plus for me 

 

I am an educator by degree. I know people learn with different styles.  Some people will love it,  Some people will say ehhh.  That's why I suggested checking it out of a  library and using it for 2 weeks.

 

If your library doesn't have it, or does not have access through interlibrary loan, Here is one for $9.24 USD. shipped to your door on Ebay.  Less than a BigMac meal.  If you don't like it donate it to your library for someone else to use.

 

After I got over the phobia of never writing in my books (from my 1970's elementary school teachers), I can now take notes directly in the book for the future.  The wide margins, and white paper lend themselves to this.  Sometimes I mark up the star hops that work better for ME than their hops.    I might denote, "could not find try again", or "super amazing", or "not so hot" ...

 

https://www.ebay.com...kp:BFBMzJPnou9l

Edited by vtornado, 16 June 2025 - 02:32 PM.

[BrentKnight]

I just recently picked up this book:

 

 

Leslie Peltier is mostly known for a little book he wrote in 1962 called Starlight Nights.  This book was written 10 years later. 

 

From the very first pages, he recommends learning the stars, constellations and all the other things in the night sky by eye before jumping in with a telescope.  Maybe not such a popular idea these days, but this book certainly makes a good case for that approach.  It can be found pretty cheap from used booksellers, and you can supplement it with any number of other more advanced books later.

 

A little review I posted here.

[vintageair]

...From the very first pages, he recommends learning the stars, constellations and all the other things in the night sky by eye before jumping in with a telescope...

I understand the sentiment but you really can do both at the same time. Learning the stars and constellations is not something that is going to happen overnight, in fact it's going to take about a year for them all to come around so you can see them. You can be gaining this familiarity at the same time you are learning how to use your telescope which is another skill that will take time to perfect.

[Jehujones]

I understand the sentiment but you really can do both at the same time. Learning the stars and constellations is not something that is going to happen overnight, in fact it's going to take about a year for them all to come around so you can see them. You can be gaining this familiarity at the same time you are learning how to use your telescope which is another skill that will take time to perfect.

Agreed, not only can you do both, I would venture to say that the acquisition of a scope is usually what causes people to buy the very books that make this suggestion. Learning the sky should be a natural progression but with technology it can be neglected and the importance is forgotten. There is enormous benefit in knowing your way around the sky even if you are using all the technology that seems to make it unnecessary.

[BrentKnight]

I think Peltier is expressing a sentiment that was much more popular in his time (and for him personally).

 

I think for a beginner today, it depends on what they want and what their circumstances are.  A city dweller might have difficulty even seeing the bright guidestars mentioned in the book and at least a pair of binoculars might be required.

 

I personally see no down side to recommending some naked eye astronomy before getting a telescope.  I also see no down side to taking time for naked eye astronomy even after getting a telescope.  It does not change my recommendation for this book as a great introduction to the hobby.

[SparkyMike2010]

I think the book would still be a great resource even with the difficulty you experience. The book is mostly pictures to show you what to expect at the eye piece or finder and the text that provides the “directions” to your target are concise. Most of the text in the book is factual information about the object and entirely unnecessary to read unless you want to know a little bit more about what you’re looking at. Another perk is that it’s legible under red light and will allow you to see the pictures and text while outside. I actually keep sticky notes and a pen inside the cover and will put sticky notes on pages to note what I want to see that night or details on what helped me find it. I also put tabs across the top, for the seasonal chapters or other pages I frequently turn to.

Your library system may have copies of the book (mine does)so it’s worth checking out and borrow it before you buy. It can be hard to find though because it’s “oversized” so may not be where you expect it on the shelf, ask a librarian if the system says there’s one in stock but you can’t find it.

Edited by SparkyMike2010, 19 June 2025 - 08:26 AM.

[SparkyMike2010]

I guess I’m curious if you ultimately decided to check it out and what you thought about it.

[astro-guy]

Amazing book for beginners w/small aperture scopes... Great drawings and directions for finding deep-sky objects!

 

I recommend it 100%... I love that it gives you realistic expectations for what you can see with small aperture scopes!

 

Jay

Edited by astro-guy, 02 July 2025 - 08:09 PM.

[caveman044]

I started amateur astronomy 3 months ago. I bought Nightwatch and Turn Left at Orion at the same time and I'm glad I did. Nightwatch taught, and still teaches me, the basics of equipment, constellations, types of celestial objects, it covers a lot of the basics. I have yet to fully read TLaO but I've used for what it does best, which is how to star hop.

[SparkyMike2010]

Here’s a picture of my copy.  You can see tabs at the top with the seasons and northern sky, sticky’s and a black pen in the cover.  I put the sticky’s onto the side for anything I want to see

next time I’m out.   IMO it’s far more a reference book than reading book.

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[Jehujones]

Nightwatch was my first book and I scribbled all over it

 

[Jehujones]

My “reference” books are the Night Sky Observer’s Guide and Objects In The Heavens 

[mwhite3]

Hi, has anyone purchased this book? I have read reviews but don't take Amazon reviews too serious.
Does anyone have anything to say regarding this,like their opinion etc. thank you

I have ADHD so find it hard to concentrate , so looking for something easier to read

 

There are PDFs of the book online if you want to see it before purchasing a hard copy.

 

Unclear if this was intended, but its out there for certain when searching for that.

Buy it though, to at least have a hardcopy