Astronomy for the Absolute Beginner

Astronomy for the Absolute Beginner
Astronomy book reviews

Astronomy for the Absolute Beginner

Getting Started

I want a Telescope

Time for a new Telescope

Eyepieces and Filters

Book Reviews

Free Astronomy Software

Our First Night Out

Orion SpaceProbe 130ST First Light

Astro Links

My Home Page-

God, Genesis and the big bang

Night Watch by Terence Dickinson (Firefly press, 1998)

This is the first book every beginning stargazer should buy. It is packed with information from how to pick a telescope to what is up there and where it is. Got my copy from Barnes and Noble on sale for less than $18. By the way he recommends a 6" Dob as the first scope for the budget conscious. What is great about this book is how he breaks the information down into simple to understand parts that build on each other. You aren't overwhelmed yet your intelligence is never insulted. You won't get bored and you will really learn a lot in a hurry with this book. I have also read "The Backyard Astronomer's Guide", by Terrence Dickinson. Many recommend it as the next step after Night Watch. Personally it did not grab me like this book but maybe it was just the $40 price tag.

Star Watch by Philip S. Harrington (John Wiley & Sons, 2003)

I use this book almost every time I go out observing. This book takes the night sky and breaks it up by seasons and then tells you what interesting objects are there to obseve. Then it details each object and tells you what to expect to see, whether with your eyes, binoculars or a telescope. It also gives a wow factor for each one. Finally it shows you how to star hop onto the objects with easy to grasp instructions. I very highly recommend this book.

Touring The Universe by Ken Graun (Ken Press, 2002)

This is a book I have not seen on too many peoples list. That is a shame. This is a neat book. It is kind of halfway between Night Watch and Star Watch in content. It is spiral bound and the pages are moisture resistant, so it can go outside with you with ease.

National Audubon Society Field Guide To The Night Sky by Mark R. Chartrand III (Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1991)

This feild guide will fit in your back pocket, well your accesories bag for sure. There is a weaalth of information in this book, including star maps by Will Trion.

Skywatching, Advanced Skywatching, Practical Skywatching by David H. Levy (Fog City Press)

The third book is a one volume version containing the information presented in the first two books. I see these mainly in the economy section of the bookstore but they are really nice books packed with information. That may actually be the major weakness of these books. The series covers the history of astronomy and space travel. They provide information on the moon, planets, stars, and beyond. The last section of the books is a star hopping guide. For the price these are a great bargain.

I hope you found something of interest here. If you did drop me a note. If you have read areally good beginner book not mentioned here please share the title with me.

Clear skies!

Due to spammers stealing my email address, I had to remove a direct link to email me. You will have to type the above address into your mail program to contact me. Sorry it is a hassle but it had to be done. Never post your address online unless you want to receive hundreds of junk spam daily.

Latest revision August 2007