Absolute BEST purchase for "Newbies"

[Waxing_Gibbous]

Just picked it up today. Invaluable. "The Backyard Astronomer's Guide" by Dickinson & Dyer, Firefly Books (Canajian eh!). Serious and sensible advice on scopes, EPs, mounts etc. etc.
Much of it is covered on various forums (fora?) but here its all packed into one reasonadly up-to-date (2007/8) volume.
Buy one. You won't regret it.

[jjjnettie]

Thanks for the heads up on that one Peter.
Another great book that EVERY astronomer should have is the annual "Astronomy" almanac.
A day by day, week by week ephemerides of what's happening in the night sky. But it's more than that, much more.

Mike offers them for sale close to the end of each year.

[wavelandscott]

I agree that it is a fine book...a literary "one stop shop" of tried and true information from some trusted sources.

[Kindred Spirit]

Hello:hi:
I'd like to share a list of books I have, a small collection of readables that I will never part with, they are like old friends. Some were new and some pre-loved...

1. Night Sky Tracker (Backyard Astronomer,s Logbook), Leslie Alan Horvitz/Australian Geographic (A gift from Hubby and Kids) its for kids... and grown ups!!;) Great for recording what you find in the sky plus lots of basic info.

2. The Night Sky, Steve Massey/New Holland Publishers (New RRP) lovely book. Easy to understand explanations.

3. The Universe, Colin A. Ronan/Marshall Publishing (Second hand $5 an ex library book), probably superceded, great pics.

4. The Astronomy Encyclopedia General Editor: Patrick Moore (second hand bookshop $10) from 1987, but still good.

5. The Atlas of the Universe,Patrick Moore/Mitchell Beasly Pub. 1981 (Left to me by my Dad), a sentimental fave, great pics, diagrams and history.

6. A Guide to Skywatching David H. Levy/Fog City Press (handed down or up? from my kids!) :thanx:

7. The Practical Astronomer Colin A. Ronan (second hand bookshop $10) basic stuff, neat diagrams.

I've also made a scrapbook for myself with all the cut outs I've kept over the years, pictures, drawings, facts, lists and clippings. Next to Dad's atlas, it's my prize possession. I encourage newbies to look in second hand bookshops. They can be goldmines!

"The Backyard Astronomer's Guide" sounds like must find for my shelf! Thankyou for the tip! Cheers, Luise :hi:

PS I'm a newbie and the IIS articles and posted links have been and are really helpful.

[starlooker]

Thanks for the info, Peter and all. :thumbsup:

Should come in very handy.

[dpastern]

I really strongly recommend Burnham's celestial guides. There is nothing better imho.

Dave

[Quark]

Agree with that David, Burnhams and Hartungs are all the books you would ever need, but my opinion on the best purchase for a beginner is a descent star wheel.

Cheers
Trevor

[Wavytone]

Star wheels rolling downhill.

You mean a decent planisphere, I trust.