Continuation of previous post...
Here are some books which I highly recommend.
For binocular and telescope viewing respectively. Note that the book (which Malcom suggested-Collins, "Stars & Planets" is also listed below.
For Binocular Viewing....
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Touring the Universe Through Binoculars by Phil Harrington.
I haven't read this book but have heard many reviews and recommendations on it.
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Observing the Night Sky with Binoculars by Stephen James O'Meara.
This is an observing book which goes a bit deeper than Heavens Above. It also helps you find the objects using your hands to measure your way across the sky.
I've attached some pics here for you...
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Heavens Above by Robert Bee (specific to the southern skies).
Highly recommended to start out with.
Some Useful Links for Binocular Observing:
The Messier project through binoculars done by our member, Faith Jordan.
http://www.fjastronomy.com/?page_id=429
A couple of my own binocular observation reports...
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...r+observations
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ight+centaurus
Binoculars- A Basic Guide for Astronomy...
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-374-0-0-1-0.html
How to make a binocular chair...
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-382-0-0-1-0.html
How to make an Parallelogram...
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-617-0-0-1-0.html
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-376-0-0-1-0.html
For Telescope Viewing...
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Stars & Planets by Ian Ridpath & Wil Tirion
One of my favorite hard working books. Covers general astronomy at the beginning of the book and the rest is dedicated to maps with the facing page to each map detailing objects of interest and the astrophysics. It will tell you what the spectral classes of the stars are, nice doubles to look at, and each object of interest nicely detailed. Beautiful pics accompany them. Each constellation has its own map- very easy to use. Great book for beginners. Even though it's more specific to telescopes, many of the objects and stars in it are viewable through binos or the naked eye. I highly recommend this book also.
I've attached some pics here for you...
The Night Sky Observers Guide.
The Night Sky Observers Guide series is a great book. It's quite intense and covers a ton of deep sky objects with finder charts for everything, sketches on lots of objects, and observation notes as to what can be see through different sized apertures.
At the beginning of each constellation it gives a large table listing of binocular objects and stars of interest. It's a hard cover book with a whopping 504 pages!
There are a lot of dso's in this book more specific to larger scopes, but there's still plenty of stuff in it for 8-10" scopes, not a lot for 4-6" scopes, and pretty much favors 12-14" and in particular 16" scopes. Many feel this book is a bit advanced at beginner level as it goes quite deep but I love this book and wouldn't be without it.. a book I will grow into as I get more experience. Many of us on here own this book/series.
Our own Paddy has done a wonderful review of it here in this forum.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/46-627-0-0-1-0.html
Atlas of the Southern Night Sky.
Another thick and fantastic book. Beautiful colour photographs, descriptions of the objects, followed by a map on the facing page.
Paddy has done a review of this book also (good work Paddy!)
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/bookreviews.html
Sky & Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas.
Being spiral bound, it's easy to handle on your lap by the scope as it stays open. It's filled with a ton of goodies that go deeper than "Collins Stars & Planets", but for a first book, I would recommend "Stars & Planets" first because the pocket atlas book is mainly maps. The Pocket Sky Atlas even has a Telrad circle to use with it's maps.
It's so cheap at only $20 from the Book Depository in the UK (free shipping!) - great value!
Deep Sky Companions: The Messier Objects, by Stephen O'Meara.
It's an observing book and tells you all the little details to go look for, and also a little black & white pic (for every object) of what to expect to see out of your telescope. Lots of sketches too- so you can really get a nice sample of what to expect at the eyepiece. He observed with only around 4 inches of aperture, so everything he says is within reach for most of us. Some astro physics are given on each object too, and basically its about a page per object. It is a hard working companion of mine.
Astronomy Australia 2012
Many of us here have this book - no mater what experience level- it will be the book you should consult regularly. The book contains a diary of events month by month such as planet opposition events, ocultations etc, also many pages to help beginners along the way- bright stars you should know etc, easy double stars for beginners (in this years edition), meteor showers, comets, rise and set times of the sun, planets and moon & orbital paths, maps incl. moon map. IceInSpace sells this book so check the shop for supplies in the above link.
And for both:
A general book that covers all forms of observing - naked eye, bino & telescope....
Astronomica
I mention this book because it just covers so much. General astronomy is covered well, and towards the back section, a large part of this book is dedicated to maps and objects, listing objects of interests that are available be it naked eye, binoculars or through a telescope. Beautiful pics accompany them. For the weight and information covered in this book, it is well worthy of it's price. I Highly recommended it- great coffee table book also.
In summary (regarding books)...
I doubt that you'll find one book that will do it all. Like me, you'll probably find that you'll wind up with several books and maps. Some books cater for the brighter objects and are quite easy to read and navigate thru, others are intense, some books cater more for "observing", i.e. more a teaching guide on techniques and what to look for in objects (such as Stephen O'Meara's Deep Sky Objects- Messier Objects- fantastic book, and Hartung's), some books list the astrophysics and objects of interest better or clearer than others, etc. I have lots of books/maps- each used for different observations.
Some Useful Links for Telescope Observing:
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/astr...tartright.html
http://www.asignobservatory.com/inde...d=88&Itemid=65
http://www.fjastronomy.com/?page_id=1092
ww.astro-tom.com/messier/messier_files/observing_tips.htm
http://http://www.visualastronomy.com/2008/01/ten-essential-astronomy-accessories.html
How to master the art of averted vision
A useful video by the staff of Orion demonstrating how to colimate a telescope
http://http://sites.google.com/site/southernastronomer/
You can't go by this!!!!
Rob H from our forum has made these charts- they are brilliant & many of us use them. Print them off and pop them into plastic sleeves and file them in a ring binder.
Post #3 will be continued as I have gone past the word/post restrictions- again! Seriously now over-excelling my word usage.
