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The Backyard Astronomer's Guide (Hardcover)

by Terence Dickinson (Author), Alan Dyer (Author) "There is something deeply compelling about the starry night sky ..." (more)
4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 298 pages
  • Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd; illustrated edition edition (1 Feb 2001)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0921820119
  • ISBN-13: 978-0921820116
  • Product Dimensions: 28.9 x 24.8 x 2.3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 770,468 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Synopsis
A practical guide which takes amateur astronomers to the next level of what for many of them will become a vocation, not a hobby. This third edition includes over 200 photographs, expert guidance and practical advice.
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First Sentence
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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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
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 (10)
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Average Customer Review
4.9 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for all beginners, 5 Feb 2004
By Kaustav Bhattacharya (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Backyard Astronomer's Guide (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.

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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Stellar Selection, 2 Aug 1998
By A Customer
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.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars THIS BOOK IS AN OUTSTANDING RESOURCE, 2 Dec 1998
By A Customer
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

5.0 out of 5 stars The best guide for buying and using a telescope
Simply a wonderfully written book. It explains complicated issues with sublime simplicity. I often take a long time to read such books but I finished this in 3 days. Read more
Published 7 months ago by J. Garvey

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book for a newbie
As someone fairly new to astronomy, I found this book excellent. I particularly liked the advice on equipment and techniques because the authors actually say what they use and... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mr. Quentin Ae Vaughan

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book to get started in Astronomy
This book contains a wealth of information. I found it invaluable and still refer to it regularly.
Published on 10 Mar 2002

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent "newbie" reference
After purchasing a telescope and having absolutely no clue on what to do with it, I got this book. I found it to be written with a novice in mind and therefore the explanations... Read more
Published on 24 May 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent first resource
Excellent background on astronomy and equipment, good breadth of material with enough depth. The most useful I found among several for the beginning astronomer.
Published on 14 Jun 1998

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful introduction to all aspects of astronomy.
I picked up this book to learn about astronomy, because I knew very little at the time. This book is a great resource for those people who know next to nothing and want to learn... Read more
Published on 18 Mar 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars A comfort and joy to the beginning astronomer!
The "Guide" takes the complexity out of sky gazing by allowing the beginner to sort through the latest equipment and jargon. Read more
Published on 11 Mar 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars THE reference book for amateur astronomy equipment.
What should I buy? How do i take pictures through my telescope? Nearly every questions asked by amateur astronomers is answered in this excellent book. Read more
Published on 1 Jan 1998

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