Astronomy books

[Jabba]

Harro :hi:,

Happy new year to all of you!

I am looking for a new book to occupy my spare time and really want something related to astronomy.
I've been to a few book stores and cannot find much at all, only huge books with pictures at most...

Anyway, can anyone suggest any good astronomy books and where can I find them? I dont mind ordering them from online stores.

Thanks in advance! :thumbsup:

[erick]

This one just arrived in my mailbox:-

http://www.powells.com/biblio/4-9780943396897-0

Looking great! Not a colour image in its 428 pages - now that's an observer's guide. Lots of exciting new targets, but some missing - no "Dark Doodah" in Musca :D

Not quite bedtime or coffee table reading :)

If you want a good Book with colour! - "Atlas of the Southern Night Sky"

http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/Science/Astronomy_Space/9781741105308/?cf=3

[mswhin63]

I am not sure what others think, I started astronomy after ordering "How to Build a Solar System" and now after completing all of the series of that am now enjoying "Sun. Earth Moon orbiter".

Get to build a projects while reading information about space. The infomration is breif and a good starting point and has kept me busy reading especially which observing has been a bit off.

The kit is good but does have some flaws which can be ironed out relatively easily. They do have good support.

After completing this next series I will look at other reading material.

[michaellxv]

If you want more than just pretty pictures this is one of the best I found last year. 'Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Universe' ISBN: 9781405333092 by DK.

In true DK style there is not a single white page with black type. Lots of colour and diagrams. Starts with basic principles and works its way through to Higgs Boson in a way that anyone with a high school education can follow. It even include star charts at the back.

If you want a hard read get the Cambridge University equivalent.

[Jabba]

Dont suppose you know where I could find those series of books? they sound fun and it would be good to thoroughly understand the fundamentals of our solar system first off.

[Jabba]

I have a high school education :D, where can I find a copy of this book?

[Lismore Bloke]

"The Backyard Astronomer's Guide" by Dickinson and Dyer is an excellent general guide. It is pretty up to date and covers choosing telescopes, eyepieces and accessories as well as visual observing and astrophotography. Available from Borders bookshops etc.

There are lots of atlases and guides in print form:

"Atlas of the Southern Night Sky" (Massey and Quirk)
"Astronomy Australia 2010"
"Uranometria" (2 volumes and guide book) from Bintel
"The Night Sky Observers Guide" (3 volumes) from Bintel.

The last 2 sets are not cheap, but are as comprehensive as any observer is likely to need.

Monthly sky maps are here:

http://www.skymaps.com/downloads.html
http://www.sydneyobservatory.com.au/blog/?cat=10

Free planetarium software and maps for the computer:

http://www.stargazing.net/astropc/
http://www.stellarium.org/
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~zs3t-tk/index.htm

There is a world of information out there and picking your way through this web site is not a bad place to start.

[Paddy]

"Universe" from ABC shops is a nice fat book with a good introduction to astronomy and some recommendations for different DSOs to observe in each constellation. Much more an inside book that I wouldn't take out to the scope.

[michaellxv]

I found it at the library. If I ever see a copy in a bookshop I will get it. Or I will just borrow it every other month:D

[Jabba]

I love using stellarium, I am finding it pretty user friendly.

Thanks for the help, I have a good idea of what I am looking for now ~_~

[dalemadison]

Try 'Seeing in the Dark' by Timothy Ferris. You can order it on Amazon

Dale

[norm]

Atronomy - by Ian Ridpath
http://us.dk.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780756617332,00.html

Great book, covers a lot of stuff, but not overly too in depth, useful pics, references, monthly sky guide. Around $20-$30.

Excellent book, highly recommended.

Cheers Norm:thumbsup:

PS: definitely a book you can take with you during astro viewing at night.