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Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe (Spiral-bound)

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 (17 customer reviews)

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Product details

Spiral-bound: 176 pages
Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd; 3rd Revised edition edition (3 May 2001)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1552093026
ISBN-13: 978-1552093023
Product Dimensions: 28 x 27 x 2.2 cm

Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 115,315 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Popular in these categories:

#27 in	Books > Science & Nature > Astronomy & Cosmology > Astronomy > Star Gazing
#32 in	Books > Science & Nature > Astronomy & Cosmology > Astronomy > Stars & Interstellar Matter
#40 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

Review

I believe I've found the best beginners [astronomy] book ever. That's a strong claim, but NightWatch...is nothing short of awesome. -- Bob Burris "Sailsbury Post" (05/14/2005)

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Inside This Book (Learn More)

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

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	61% buy the item featured on this page: Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe 5.0 out of 5 stars (17)
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Customer Reviews

17 Reviews

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Average Customer Review

5.0 out of 5 stars (17 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 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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16 of 16 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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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best beginners book, 10 Mar 2007

By	Realist (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe (Hardcover)

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 the different accessories including eyepieces and mounts. It is very easy to waste your money buying the wrong type. This book is one of the most comprehensive guides available. In my opinion it is THE guide. As well as being an equipment guide is also an excellent introduction to actual observing.
After you buy your telescope have a look at Turn Left at Orion.
These two books are the ones recommended most often to beginners on astronomy forums.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear skies!
The book is wide-ranging and well presented. Apart from the detailed star maps there are the seasonal sky charts and a host of practical advice on choosing and using telescopes... Read more

Published 1 month ago by ClearSkiesWatcher

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 6 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 6 months ago by H. E. Bell

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 The Best !
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. Read more

Published on 2 May 2005 by Craigers

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

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