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Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
 
 

Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe (Hardcover)

by Terence Dickinson (Author) "Imagine a world where a thimbleful of matter weighs as much as Mount Everest ..." (more)
5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
RRP: £29.99
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Frequently Bought Together

Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe + Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope - and How to Find Them + Philip's Planisphere: Northern 51.5 Degrees - British Isles, Northern Europe Northern USA and Canada (Philip's Astronomy)
Price For All Three: £46.07

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 184 pages
  • Publisher: A & C Black Publishers Ltd; New Ed edition (30 Sep 2006)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0713679395
  • ISBN-13: 978-0713679397
  • Product Dimensions: 27.8 x 27 x 2.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 73,568 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #13 in  Books > Science & Nature > Astronomy & Cosmology > Astronomy > Star Gazing
    #59 in  Books > Science & Nature > Astronomy & Cosmology > Space Travel & Exploration
    #59 in  Books > Science & Nature > Popular Science > Popular Astronomy

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
The third edition of Nightwatch continues its tradition of being the best handbook for the novice astronomer. Terence Dickinson covers all the problems beginners face, starting with the fact that the night sky does not look the way a modern city-dweller expects. He discusses light pollution, how to choose binoculars and telescopes, how to pronounce the names of stars and constellations, telescope mounts, averted vision and why the Harvest Moon looks especially bright. Most of the lovely photographs in the book were taken by amateurs, which gives the section on astrophotography a particularly inspirational gleam.

Dickinson's star charts are very handy, each covering a reasonable field of view and mapping the most interesting amateur objects. He gives good advice for planet watching, which he notes "is one of the few astronomical activities that can be conducted almost as well from the city as from dark rural locations."

Altogether, the maxim for Nightwatch is indeed "practical": this is a book to be used, not just read. Spiral-bound to lie flat or to fold back undamaged, this is a field guide that pulls its own weight in the field. Author Timot hy Ferris says, "Like a good night sky, Nightwatch is clear and wind-free". Try it and see for yourself." --Mary Ellen Curtin, Amazon.com --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
'Well deserving of its fine reputation as an internationally respected reference guide.' The Good Book Guide (October 2006) 'The enthusiasm and knowledge of the author is apparent as he gives sensible and thorough advice It is among the best introductions to amateur astronomy I have seen and the book that I wish someone had given me when I started skywatching.' Astronomy Now (May 2007) 'Patrick Moore's irrepressible personality comes through strongly in this delightful little book. It's filled with quirky anecdotes and wry observations that made me chuckle on several occasions.' Astronomy Now 'This book covers almost everything you need to know about the observable Universe Thoroughly enjoyable.' Sky At Night (May 2007) 'One of the best handbooks for the wannabe astonomer.' The Times (June 2007)

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Imagine a world where a thimbleful of matter weighs as much as Mount Everest. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews

16 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Now I understand!, 28 Jan 2004
By A Customer
I am a beginner; I have other astronomy books, but these always seem to be impenetrable hence I was an unsuccessful and disillusioned beginner.

Within an hour of reading the book I was navigating my way around the sky with good success and growing confidence. The information is well laid out and guides you easily in simple steps. It also avoids the "list everything" approach of my other books and details those things that are worth the effort to look for (whether with binoculars or smaller telescope). I am sure that this information is in other books - but the layout of this makes it considerably more useable. Physically its ring bound; so you can fold the pages back and orientate the sky maps. Secondly it leads you step by step from a guide constellation to get an orientation and mapping this to the sky maps. Once you know what you are looking at the maps help you to see what is *worth* looking at with the equipment you have.

I am sure that I will grow out of this book at some point in time and need to use my other more encyclopaedic books - but the point is that without Nightwatch these other books would collect dust forever.

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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction for novice amateur astronomers., 30 Dec 1998
By A Customer
This book is very well thought out. It is not only well written, well structured and illustrated, but even the spiral bound format is excellent for using the book while star-gazing. The charts are excellent, the stars of the Big Dipper, Orion and other constellations are used as pointers to other stars, constellations and deep sky objects. This format is a boon to those of us just learning the stars.

The seasonal star charts show the night sky in two formats on opposing pages. One is annotated with the constellations, star names, a few deep sky objects and the pointers to other objects(mentioned earlier), the second chart shows a rendition of a deep blue sky with the stars and no annotations. This combination of charts has been very helpful to my wife, children and me as we learn the night sky.

Later in the book there are twenty, more finely detailed charts showing the locations of more galaxies, nebulas and star clusters.

The book also introduces "deep sky objects" (galaxies, nebulas and star clusters) and explains each type. These objects are what have actually sparked my interest in astronomy even more than the stars and planets.

The book covers several other astronomical subjects, inluding: the planets, sun and moon, eclipses, comets, meteors, and auroras. The chapter on stargazing equipment is very useful if your trying to choose a telescope. The second chapter "The Universe in Eleven Steps" is mind-stretching journey starting at the Earth and expanding to the breadth of the physical universe.

My wife received "Night Watch" from me as a gift, and for Christmas she got me "The Backyard Astronomer's Guide," also by Terence Dickinson. Mr. Dickinson's writing style and clarity brings this lofty subject down to earth for those of us who are not astrophysicists or astronomers.

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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Best !, 2 May 2005
By Craigers (Norway) - See all my reviews
As a new beginner to Astronomy, I bought two books, this being one of them, and the other being "Turn Left at Orion".
Both have their individual merits. TLAO is great for providing fine detail to how to find the object that you are searching for, and shows what it should look like in the telescope and/or binoculars. This is something thats missing from Nightwatch.
NW does however provide very good star maps based on individual constellations, and seasonal skycharts, all of which provide general locations for all major objects. This is what is missing from TLAO.
Used in conjunction, both books work well, however Nightwatch is the book that I prefer. Reason being, that Nightwatch is a much more complete reference book for the "seeable" cosmos. Fantastic background material and pictures of the major objects which serve to whet the appetite for scope viewing. I have located many objects through use of the constellation maps. If I have trouble finding them, that is when I turn to TLAO. NW also has the advantage of having a spiral bound format which makes the book highly user friendly in "the field"
I would highly recommend this book to anyone having a passing interest in the night sky for its sheer completeness.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent complement to The Backyard Astronomer's Guide
"Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe" is an excellent accompaniment to complement to Terence Dickinson's other book (co-authored with Alan Dyer) on popular... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ganymede

5.0 out of 5 stars Nightwatch: A practical guide to viewing the universe
I have had this book for some 3 weeks now. I am still find it amazing. I first came across this book when on holiday in Oz. Read more
Published 2 months ago by H. E. Bell

5.0 out of 5 stars Best beginners book
Interested in astronomy? Thinking of buying a telescope? Please buy this book first. It will tell you everything you need to know about the different types of telescopes and all... Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2007 by Realist

5.0 out of 5 stars Affordable and informative, ideal for the amateur...
This is the first book I bought on the subject of astronomy and it has turned out to be a very worthwhile purchase. Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2006 by astargazer

5.0 out of 5 stars A worthwhile book for the novice/serious amateur astronomer!
Nightwatch by Terence Dickinson is (or should be) a required reference text and guide that provides an astronomically large cornucopia of informative knowledge to the novice, as... Read more
Published on 18 April 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars A worthwhile book for the novice/serious amateur astronomer!
Nightwatch by Terence Dickinson is (or should be) a required reference text and guide that provides an astronomically large cornucopia of informative knowledge to the novice, as... Read more
Published on 18 April 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a masterpiece!
An outstanding 'buffet' of astronomicalgoodies...maps, sketches, photos, text,explanations, references, comparisons,insights..... Read more
Published on 1 Jul 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Getting Started Book
This book is very well thought out and superbly designed. The text touches on almost every concept in amateur astronomy and explains difficult concepts in easy to understand... Read more
Published on 23 Jun 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars CAN't SEE RED on star charts using red NIGHTLIGHT
OUTSTANDING!!! This book fill almost ALL of the GAPS that are left on the subject. Most books either deal with showing the constellations OR get into how stars are made / born /... Read more
Published on 1 Feb 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Superb!!! Outstanding!
I was skeptical at first when perchasing this book. Flipping through, I found it to have an amazing array of topics. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 1999

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