Which Astronomy book to buy?

[BENHINSPETER (Ben)]

Good Day All,

As a beginning enthusiast, I would like to buy an astronomy book.

But which one? I mean holy dooley!

I imagine I will need to buy more than one due to these considerations;

a) I know bugger all about the subject

b) I would like a resource that explains particulars about the stars, clusters, galaxies, nebulae etc I am viewing through my binoculars. Especially where in the 3D Universe it is in comparison to 28 Scarborough Tce Darwin, NT..or perhaps planet Earth would be more appropriate..
I imagine this resource is a whole other volume on it's own.

So, great ISS compatriats, please do what you all do wonderfully already and share that great wisdom with me

Cheers

Ben.

[Shark Bait (Stu)]

I use three sources of info when under the stars.

1. ASTRONOMY Austraia 2012 by Wallace, Dawes and Northfield
2. THE NIGHT SKY, 2 Sided Planisphere
3. COLLINS STARS & PLANETS by IAN RIDPATH & WIL TIRION.

I really like COLLINS STARS & PLANETS as it fills in the blanks that the planisphere does not answer. At a pinch this book can just about do the job of all three but Astronomy 2012 is specific to Australia and is very detailed.

Here is the link to the Bintel site:
http://www.bintel.com.au/Accessories...4/catmenu.aspx

If you shop around you can find these items at a cheaper price than what is listed on the Bintel site.

[Liz]

Hi Ben

Do a browse/search through 'Astronomy books and Media' - lots of great books mentioned and talked about. We love them!!

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

Don't neglect the software universe. There are some excellent apps for a mobile device, some of which let you point it at something and then have it tell you some info about what it is.

[Paddy (Patrick)]

I found the Atlas of the Southern Night Sky to be a very useful book for my first few years. A good intro to the subject and charts for each constellation viewable in Australia with a number of good visual targets for each.

[BENHINSPETER (Ben)]

Thankyou Stu, Liz, Brian and Patrick.

Appreciate your feedback muchly!

It's funny, Stu, I already have your resources numbered 1 and 2, I will have a look at getting COLLINS STARS & PLANETS by IAN RIDPATH & WIL TIRION and also Atlas of the Southern Night Sky thanks Paddy.

Cheers,

Ben.

[Suzy]

Hi Ben,

Please refer here to posts #13, #14 and #15.

It's such a long post of mine that it spanned three posts worth.
Kind of embarrassing really.
Some great info there including a bit of review I did on the Stars & Planets book- that book is a big thumbs up from me, I love it. It's a terrific "all-rounder" companion by my side.

And as Liz said, please do read through this forum as far back as you can handle- there are lots of books that we've talked about that could help you.

For me, if I was to start from scratch and only get four things, my top four would be:-
1) Planisphere
2) Astronomy 2012
3) Stars & Planets book
4) Computer software.
And the build up from there.

All of the above is explained in detail in that link I've supplied you with.

To quote myself from that link...

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.

Welcome to astronomy- your journey into opening the windows of the universe is just beginning- there is so much out there to explore, so much beauty, it's like escaping earth and taking a space ship out to the little explored beyond- the views are immersing and humbling. No doubt you are already finding this out for yourself as you begin....

Enjoy Ben!

[dannat (Daniel)]

Binoculars - I'd get Robert Bee's book, I think he's a member here but search for it
Binocular astronomy by crossen & Phil harrington's new book are good buys

[Suzy]

Ben,
I've just realised...

I'm a little confused- are you after a specific book/info just for binocular observing or are you after a book on Astronomy in general (which includes a telescope)?

My original post was more specific towards telescope viewing (in the list of recommendations).

What Daniel said below with the suggestions of those two books are brilliant for binocular observing.
Robert Bee's book "Heaven's Above" is a fantastic book to start with (I've read it). You can buy it here direct from the author. It's only $19.95 including postage. Bintel also sell it.

I haven't read Phil Harrington's book, "Touring the Universe with Binoculars", but I hear from many sources it's a great book. I think I'll get it myself one day as I love bino observing.

The Stars & Planets book goes much deeper (more specific for a telescope).

Please still read thru the link that I've supplied you with in my previous post as it covers both binocular and telescope observing. Also, regardless of what equipment you use, at the end of the day you will find it beneficial to learn your way around the sky which is covered in those links as well.

[BENHINSPETER (Ben)]

Wow!

Thanks Daniel and Suzy!

Like I said..holy dooley, where do i start?

In answer to you Suzy, I was initially looking for a book that would give me all sorts of astrophysics info on stars, I really want to start forming a 3D map in my mind. But after Daniels post, Ill definitely grab that Bob Bee book!

Thanks again!

[Suzy]

Hi again Ben.

Okay, if that's the case I would now recommend the following instead:

1) Planisphere/Computer software

2) Book: Heavens Above (by Robert Bee)

3) Book: Astronomica (by Fred Watson)


Astronomica is a huge & heavy 524 page hardcover coffee table book, covering pretty much everything in general to do with astronomy. Solar system, galaxies, stars, explorations, discoverers, history of astronomy etc. Plenty of fabulous colour pics through out.

In particular, there is a huge section at the back which covers observing- full page maps for each of the 88 constellations are given, with the objects of interest printed on each map. The astrophysics of these objects are then explained on the facing page. A short little story of the greek mythology accompanying each map helps to give the constellation a personality.

Every object listed shows icons to let you know if you can see that object with the naked eye, binos or telescope. I love that bonus feature- it means I can find objects to suit what I feel like doing at the time- very quickly!
And! Our very own fellow forum member, ngcles (LesD) contributed a lot of the work towards those maps!

At the bottom of every map are spherical illustrations for every month so at a glance you can see when that particular constellation will be in your sky at 10pm. Northern & southern hemispheres are illustrated independently.
This book is a great combination of a reference guide/picture gallery-coffee table book/and observing guide.

I posted a thread a while back on the book here.

[mbyrr (Antony)]

As a newb myself, and following people's recommendations, I just ordered the following from Fishpond:

1. The Backyard Astronomer's Guide
2. Collins Stars and Planets Guide

Thanks for all your advice!

[goober (Doug)]

Easy to answer this one.... Turn Left At Orion. Wonderful "get you started" guide, good binocular support, and explains what you're viewing.

[JB80 (Jarrod)]

Originally Posted by goober

Easy to answer this one.... Turn Left At Orion. Wonderful "get you started" guide, good binocular support, and explains what you're viewing.

I would second that although it is based on northern hemisphere skies and more than that the US.
However it is possibly the one go to book for beginners, it is brilliant. I would recommend it no matter where you are.

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

Third that
Turn left at Orion should be sold with every beginners telescope even if it northern hemisphere centric

[goober (Doug)]

True, it does tend to concentrate on the Northern Hemisphere, but I found plenty of targets and it even has a southern skies section.

Getting a little off topic, but I'm super excited to see Stephen O'Meara has a new Deep Sky Companion coming out later this year titled "Southern Gems". About time

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

Originally Posted by goober

Getting a little off topic, but I'm super excited to see Stephen O'Meara has a new Deep Sky Companion coming out later this year titled "Southern Gems". About time

cool..I have all his other books, didnt know of this one

[Suzy]

Originally Posted by goober

Getting a little off topic, but I'm super excited to see Stephen O'Meara has a new Deep Sky Companion coming out later this year titled "Southern Gems". About time

Thanks Doug, I didn't know- I can't wait!
I have the Messier Objects book by him and I love it.
Oh my... what this man can do with a 4" scope on top of volcano!
Apologies, I'm deviating off topic here too, just too excited when I read that & couldn't hold myself back!

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by mbyrr

As a newb myself, and following people's recommendations, I just ordered the following from Fishpond:

1. The Backyard Astronomer's Guide
2. Collins Stars and Planets Guide

Thanks for all your advice!

Hi,

If a beginner could only have 2 books these are the two I would be recommending.

A few months down the track I would be adding the Cambridge Star Atlas or a planetarium program like Sky Tools 3.

Cheers,
John B

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by Suzy

Thanks Doug, I didn't know- I can't wait!
I have the Messier Objects book by him and I love it.
Oh my... what this man can do with a 4" scope on top of volcano!
Apologies, I'm deviating off topic here too, just too excited when I read that & couldn't hold myself back!

This book is going to be made available 31st October, according to Amazon. I have pre ordered it from Amazon, however, I have previously pre ordered all of O'Meara Deep Sky Companions and if past experience is anything to go by, then I expect it will be later than October.

Cheers Peter