Books - any beginner recommendations

[Argonavis]

may I have some suggestions on recommended books that got people started in this hobby?

I need some ideas.

ta

[jmb]

Hi:o

I am very new myself, so this is the first time I have been able to share some info. I have been looking for books and have found the following really helpful, maybe you will. Others I'm sure will have suggestions as well.
Exploring the Moon Steve Massey
The Australian Guide to Stargazing Gregg Thompson
A Walk Through the Southern Sky Milton Heidetz & Wil Tirion
The Southern Sky Guide David Ellyard & Wil Tirion
Nightwatch Terence ****enson
Touring the Universe through Binoculars Philip Harrington
Australian Sky & Telescope (mag)
Astronomy 2006 (you can pick up the 2005 edition for about $12 at ABC shop)
There is heaps of info on the internet, depending on your interests...
Anyway, hope this is helpful
good luck...:nerd:

[seeker372011]

The best beginners book I have ever come across is

"Turn left at Orion" by Consolmagno and Davis, even if it is written for the Northern Hemisphere

very highly recommended for any beginner

[janoskiss]

I can also vouch for Southern Skies by Ellyard & Tirion. Easy reading, good charts with lots of easy and some more challenging DSOs (galaxies down to mag 10, stars to mag 6). Excellent value for around $25 new. I'm still star-hopping my way through it.

[wavelandscott]

I have really enjoyed The Backyard Astronomers Guide (address inserted of website)

http://www.backyardastronomy.com/

Some day I will write a review of this outstanding introductory book.

It gives a nice overview of the entire hobby...expensive but good...I got mine as a gift from my wife and kids (they ordered it in the US and some family carried it here during a visit)

[[1ponders]]

The southern sky guide and Astronomy 200*

[jjjnettie]

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Have Space Suit Will Travel
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
( They may be fiction, but it made me curious enough to go find out what they were talking about )
But if it is Non fiction books you're looking for.......

Astronomy 2005
The Night Sky - Steve Massey
Sky and Telescope
Sky and Space
Atlas of the Night Sky - Storm Dunlop

[chunkylad]

Hi Argonavis

If you're also in the market for star charts and a Lunar map, may i suggest: 'Astrovisuals'
at: http://www.astrovisuals.com.au/skymaps.html

I bought both star and moon charts for less that $40AUD. They are already laminated, and I don't think I could download/print/laminate something similar any cheaper than this.

They appear very easy to read under dark conditions, and the star charts go down to mag6, while the moon maps are laid out in moonphase order. they make a great accompanyment to any astro reading material. Easy to take outdoors and lay out side-by-side.

Cheers
Dave W

[RapidEye]

As good as Turn Left at Orion is, I prefered StarWatch by Harrington.
It just made more sense to my brain =-)

However, as was previously noted - both are really structured for this side of the equator.

[wavelandscott]

Oh, I also forgot...Nightsky magazine from the US comes out every two months and is geared for beginners...It is suitable for many ages of beginners...it is more "basic" the AS&T (S&T) and S&S...