Exploring the Night Sky with Binoculars: Amazon.co.uk: Patrick Moore: Books

Review

From reviews of previous editions: ' … this has been the introduction to the night sky that I've recommended more than any other … If you know of someone whose enthusiasm for the night sky has been inspired … I can think of no better gift than a pair of binoculars and a copy of this excellent book.' Brian Kelly, The Observatory

' … written in Patrick Moore's well-known, easy-to-read, personal style … This book is a good general introduction to the night sky using binoculars and it should encourage the reader to go and look for themselves.' Alan Dowdell, Webb Society Reviews

'… a useful beginner's guide to the binocular.' Sky and Telescope

'Exploring the Night Sky with Binoculars is a good book for beginner and casual binocular observers, with enough deep-sky objects to keep them going for a long time …'. Astronomy and Space

'This book shows Patrick on top form and will not only appeal to the novice. I found it to be a highly informative, well written book with plenty of useful maps and sketches. I would certainly recommend this book, and not just for the beginners it is aimed at. Even for veterans of the night sky like myself those book could be a worthy addition to the collection.' Dave Fletcher, Popular Astronomy

'This guide is therefore an ideal start to observe celestial objects using simple instruments as binoculars … an indispensable preparation for further observations using larger instruments.' Orion (Société Astronomique de Suisse) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

This book describes bow the owner of binoculars can use them for astronomical observation. A full description of the 'binocular sky' is given, with details of all the most interesting objects. On a clear dark night, with a myriad stars shining down, the jewelled beauty and the unimaginable immensity of our universe is awe-inspiring. Some people make the investment that is required to buy a telescope, but for many others, stargazing through binoculars can be just as rewarding and may lead to a deep interest and lifelong hobby! Patrick Moore has painstakingly researched this book to cater for such people. He carefully explains the rudiments of astronomy and the selection of suitable binoculars before discussing in more detail the array of beautiful astronomical objects that await the binocular observer - stars, clusters, nebulae and galaxies. The night sky that is seen by observers in both northern and southern hemispheres is charted season by season before a detailed presentation is made, with maps, of all the constellations. The use of binoculars for observing the sun, the Moon, the planets, comets and shooting stars is then described. The illustrations throughout have been prepared by the artist Paul Doherty working in close collaboration with the author.

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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful

Poor value for money 7 Aug 2001

By J. Page VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm new to amateur astronomy and wrestled with this book for about a week to the point of extreme frustration. What the author glaringly omits is how the beginner should navigate their way around the night sky and instead he provides poor sky charts followed by moderately detailed constellation maps. Not wanting to give up so easily I decided to purchase "Nightwatch: a Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe" by Terence Dickenson (ring bound) which is a superb book for the beginner and shows Moore's book for what it is - a bad field guide with some interesting textual content. Dickenson teaches the beginner to navigate using obvious constellations as signposts and my first night out with the book was extremely productive. Save your money and buy Dickenson's book instead.

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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

Exploring the Night Sky with Binoculars. 4 Nov 2002

By "keithsloan"

Format:Paperback

I have to agree with other reviewers Nightwatch is by far the better book, don't waste your money on Exploring the Night Sky with Binoculars buy Nightwatch instead. Nightwatch also spells out what can be seen with binoculars. The layout and stucture is miles better.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

Worth the money, but not very accessible 1 Nov 2002

By Edward Doyle

I got this, as it was recommended by a local astronomy club.
Initially I found it quite difficult for the same reasons commented on by other reviewers. However with the help of a lot of astronomy software which I downloaded free from the web, which produced more easily understandable star maps ( which importantly were accurate to the day of the observation ) I was able to get started.

Once I had cracked the first half dozen constellations, the contents of Moores book clicked with me and I found it a valuable source of extra and more detailed information.
However I would criticise the book from teh perspective that it does not really start at the very begining and the constellation charts are too busy ordetailed for the very beginner making them confusing. Although I think this book is good, I would not recommend it alone for the absolute beginner.