ICEINSPACE
|
Moon Phase
CURRENT MOON
Waxing Crescent 20.4%
|
|
 |
Books, Magazines and Reference Material
Everyone needs some reading material when the weather isn't cooperating, and reference material when it is to help you find what you're looking for!
If you like the look of any of the books or magazines listed here, contact me for details of where I got it, or a simple google search will most likely find it for you.
Books
|  |
|
|
Click to Enlarge
Light reading
|
- A Beginners Guide to Astronomy by Alistair Glasse
A very basic book, talking about in laymens terms the solar system and universe. Only useful for those starting out, and they will be finished reading it in an hour.
- The Amateur Astronomer by Fred Schaef
A bit more advanced, with info about different types of telescopes and how they work, and more descriptions of things related to astronomy and the night sky. Some good reading for those starting out who have some basic knowledge already.
- Exploring the Night Sky with Binoculars, Fourth Edition by Patrick Moore
Probably belongs under the Reference Material section, but it's not the type of book I went back to after the first read. Contains general information about binoculars and the night sky, and then lists each of the constellations and any binocular targets within. The constellation guides just weren't detailed enough for me to use as a reference. Good for someone starting out with binoculars, though. Magazine Subscriptions
|  |
|
|
Click to Enlarge
Keep up-to-date
|
Australia's cousin of the popular US Sky & Telescope magazine. Released monthly.
Released every 2 months, it contains lots of glossy pictures, astro news, guides, product reviews etc.
Monthly 4-page newsletter from the guys at Bintel, containing the latest in astro news and amateur astronomy goings on.
Reference Material
|  |
|
|
Click to Enlarge
Spin that wheel!
|
The must-have reference guide for the year. Tonnes of information for each month, and loads of statistics, facts and figures, rise and set times at the back. It's released annually and costs around AU$20.
Another annual publication, costs around AU$18. Quite a good guide but doesn't contain as much information as Astronomy 2004.
A great reference, with facts and figures about the solar system and the universe, followed by an alphabetical listing of all the constellations, with star chart and description of all the stars and Messier/NGC objects in the group.
- Star Disc Planisphere by Astrovisuals and Wil Tirion
It's a planishphere, it spins.. It's not really that useful because there simply isn't enough deep-space objects on it. Good for starting out.
|
|
|
