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Magnificently illustrated and superb... a beautiful and informative resource for the amateur astronomer, both the beginner and the experienced.--Denise A. Garofalo "American Reference Book Annual "
Product Description
The modern classic, completely updated.
The newest edition of The Backyard Astronomer's Guide includes the latest data and answers the questions most often asked by home astronomers, from beginners to experienced stargazers. Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer provide expert guidance on the right types of telescopes and other equipment; photographing the stars through a telescope; and star charts, software and other references. They cover daytime and twilight observing, planetary and deep-sky observing, and much more.
With over 500 color photographs and illustrations, The Backyard Astronomer's Guide is one of the most valuable, beautiful and user-friendly astronomy books ever produced.
New and updated for this edition:
- A 20-page full-color Atlas of the Milky Way provides location and context for hundreds of celestial objects mentioned throughout the book.
- A chapter on Astrophotography with Digital Cameras specifies what equipment works best and how to use it to collect a color gallery of celestial portraits.
- Telescopes for Recreational Astronomy features assessments of a wide range of new telescopes, from models for beginners to those for veteran astronomy enthusiasts, with special emphasis on computerized telescopes and how they work.
- Accessory Catalog spotlights the best of the accessories and flags the frivolous and irrelevant.
- Three practical appendices: Polar Aligning Your Telescope; Optics Cleaning and Collimation; Testing Your Telescope Optics.
Any serious home astronomer must have this superb guide as an ongoing reference.
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First Sentence
There is something deeply compelling about the starry night sky. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
There is something deeply compelling about the starry night sky. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
53 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I was given a copy of The Backyard Astronomer's Guide (revised Edition) by Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer, as a birthday gift earlier this year. I've heard much about this book and luckily I now have it.
Having read the book from cover to cover, I have to admit, it lives up to its reputation. It's technical enough not to condescend a semi-pro/expert, but it's balanced and basic enough to help a total beginner get a better grasp of the technology behind a wide variety of telescopes and binoculars. After explaining in the detail the key differences, advantages and disadvantages of all the variants of scopes and binoculars, the book goes on to recommending some of the authors best choices, based in part from personal experience and from industry opinion. The section on filters was especially useful and helped me work out the chief differences between wide band, narrow band, oxygen 3 and hydrogen filters.
The book is very well illustrated and offers practical and insightful tips of how to use your scope/bins and how to best cut down on light pollution, prevent dew build up and cleaning your scope carefully and properly. There is an in-depth chapter dedicated to observing planets, the moon, sun and comets and a significant chapter on deep sky objects. Each chapter mentions the best techniques to use to view each type of object and what atmospheric conditions are best quited for each type of object. There is ample mention of CCD technology and the technical terminology which can and will confuse a total beginner.
Above all, the one most notable feature of this book is it's broad coverage on wide variety of frequently asked questions and the way in which is coherently untangles the techno-bable and mystery behind astronomical instruments and their use. In addition, it puts in the context the ever nagging question, "is big always better". If you're a city slicker, in a light polluted area with a big wallet and think bigger is better, read this book first. You might learn a thing or to. Certainly was an eye opener to me!
This book is a real boon to the beginner and a nice compliment to the experienced astronomer who could find it useful as a quick reference guide in part. There is a supporting web site to the book which has a lot of extra information which the book doesn't include, although this fact of "extra information" is clearly mentioned in the opening pages and you're encouraged to explore further on their site.
Kaustav.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I've had this book for years now and wouldn't do without it. Whether one wants advice on what equipment to buy, or what to do with it once purchased, this book fits the bill nicely. I have many books on astronomy and telescopes--and this is the one I always come back to. If I had to pick just one book on amateur astronomy, this would be it.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I purchased this book 3 years ago when I first became seriously interested in amature astronomy. It is OUTSTANDING!! Anyone considering purchasing a telescope should read this book first. It provides very helpful information which will enable you to decide what type of equipment will best meet you needs, and how to use it. This book along with "Stare Ware" are the two most useful astronomy books I've had the pleasure to own.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent
This hardcover book is highly recommended. It covers all subjects from choosing a telescope to deep-field astrophotography, with a plethora of full colour images and common sense... Read more
Published 2 months ago by sha1030
very nice book
I buyse this book some moths ago; the pages are very interesting an the sky maps inside are very accurate.
Published 5 months ago by Carlo Muccini
Everything You Need to Know
I was looking for a book to fill in all the gaps in my basic knowledge and expand it from sound foundations - this book ticks all the boxes. Excellent. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Newt Queen
An excellent introductory volume for novice astronomers
When it arrived, I was surprised at the size and weight of this book. It's published in Canada by Firefly Books but the style and format remind me a bit of Dorling Kindersley. Read more
Published 6 months ago by G. Gilpin
Excellent book
Up to date (in 2011), well written. In the equipment chapters it provides the perfect combination of opinion and survey of what is available. Overall, an excellent book. Read more
Published 7 months ago by David
A Holding Hand
Anyone embarking on astronomy as a hobby should read this book before they even step outside and look up at the heavens. It is packed with useful and 'to the point' advice. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Thinpig
Backyard astronomy for all
This is a great book for those starting this hobby, it answers virtually all the questions a beginner asks. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr. P. G. Amos
a must have book for any stargazer
very good book for the beginner in astronomy and stargazing.
deals with specific brands/models rather than the usual general information. Read more
deals with specific brands/models rather than the usual general information. Read more
Published 17 months ago by vassilis
The definitive guide
I won't go into detail as it has all been said already. This is quite simply the best beginners guide to astronomy money can buy, be it general reference, the specifics of buying a... Read more
Published 19 months ago by S. Richardson
Great Book for Newbies
I rally enjoyed ths book. It contains a lot of up to date information on all aspects of Astronomy, equipment, photography and of course the night sky. Read more
Published 21 months ago by E. McGlynn
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