Beginner books on Astronomy

[styleman333]

Ok guys , got the 8 inch Dob , just gotta wait 4 more weeks for bloody xmas to arrive and i can open it and play .......:(

But before that i can read ..... so whats the best books to get , one of yas advised the Southern Sky Guide so ive got that on my list and a planisphere but what other books can u recommend for a mere amateur such as myself .
:doh:
All help would be appreciated ,
Cheers guys ! :eyepop: :eyepop: :eyepop:

[xstream]

Hartung's Astronomical Objects for Southern Telescopes by Malin & Frew.

Astronomy, The Definitive Guide by Burnham, Dyer & Kanipe.

Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects by O'Meara.

Those three on their own will give you plenty of reading to keep you occupied for awhile. :D

[[1ponders]]

There is one absolute essential. Astronomy 2007.

[Omaroo]

One of my favourites - "The Night Sky - Discovering the Universe from Alpha Centauri to Quasars". (Giles Sparrow)

Long title, but a brilliantly-conceived book of 260 pages. An absolute ripper. Up to date (2006) so even software it discusses is relevant and current. It covers EVERYTHING you'd want to know when starting out in amateur astronomy. I'm going to do a review on this book for here because I genuinely believe it's that good. Even people who have been involved for ages will get plenty out of it too. Highly recommended!

ISBN: 1592235786

[OneOfOne]

I second this one, and this time next year, pick up a copy of Astronomy 2008! Set aside some time in August, can't remember the date but it is in the book, to see the total lunar eclipse!

[iceman]

There's a review of Hartungs, here (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.php?id=46,343,0,0,1,0).

[styleman333]

Ok cheers guys ,
Ive arranged all , The southern sky guide, the planisphere and astronomy 2007 is the Xmas present from the mum, A walk through the southern sky is a present from the mother outlaw and , oh i mean the mother in law and im gonna buy the the Hartungs . Thank god is Xmas time , ive organised this well .......... now to read up what i been sent on the binoculars for my bros present


Cheers Guys , most appreciated !

[Geoff]

Wait until Christmas! I would be useing it now. Call it an early present.
Cheers,
Geoff :)

[stephenmcnelley]

Some of those titles and more could be found at the local library right now, and cost you nothing!

[astro_nutt]

Add another to the list..
"Skywatching"..by David H Levy
This excelent book covers the history of astronomy and the diffrent methods used to observe the sky...plenty of pictures plus a great referal of the constellations and deep sky objects!...with any luck your local library will have a copy...
Cheers!

[[1ponders]]

And then there is Steve Massey's book "Exploring the Moon" which gives you a day by day terminator jouney across the moon. It has a wealth of images to help identify craters and areas of the moon along with plenty of basic astronomy related information (telescopes, imaging, mounts, filters, yadda yadda) 224 pages and it only cost me about 12 bucks at Big W. You'd be :screwy: :nerd: :screwy: not to get one. ;)

[glenc]

I suggest you get to know the 20 brightest stars.
If you don't have an atlas try this free one:
http://www.stargazing.net/astropc/

Use a pair of binoculars to find some bright deep sky objects.
A southern extension to the Messier Catalogue is a good catalogue. It is at:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=9083&highlight=hartung

Some interesting reading is at:
http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/

[seeker372011]

The best book I know of for an absolute newbie-is "Turn left at Orion" by Consolmagno and Davies. It may be available at your library-it is at mine. Check it out.

its written for the northern hemisphere observer but it truly is an excellent beginners book

another book often recommended to beginners is Terence Dickinson's "Nightwatch" -again written for the Northern hemisphere observer but still usable by us in the South

[jjjnettie]

Just in case you missed what Stephan said
Check out your local library, try before you buy. It's free!