Best Astronomy Books....

[StarGazer47]

Im new to Astronomy, would the book Astronomy for Dummies a good book for someone like me to learn everything I need to know about star gazing?? what are a few helpfull books to read to learn more about this hobby

[rory]

general all rounder books, id say "backyard astronomers guide" is very good and covers alot of topics. " nightwatch" also has alot of fans.

in the field type books ( constellations, and finding objects) id say "illustrated guide to astronomical wonders" and " turn left at orion"are both superb books.

[Pete Presland]

try turn left at Orion, also download stellarium

http://www.amazon.com/Turn-Left-Orion-Hundred-Telescope/dp/0521781906

http://www.stellarium.org/

[Merlin66]

You can't go past Dinah Moshe as a good all round introduction to the broader aspects of astronomy.

Covers everything you'll need to know

http://www.amazon.com/Astronomy-Self-Teaching-Guide-Sixth-Edition/dp/0471265187

Strongly recommended.

[jason.p]

I've found "Stargazing with a telescope" (Phillips)

and "Astronomy-A self teaching guide" (Moche)

useful for a complete beginner.

[Magic]

Ive ordered Turn left at Orion after hearing many good things about it. Astronomy for Dummies is actually very good and interesting too and great for begginners!

[farunj]

Turn left for Orion is a good book in the sense that it will help you find your way about when you are actually under the sky with your scope!!

[Ganymede12]

I would recommend Turn Left at Orion and Phillips Star finder. Apparently Phillips planisphere Is useful and It would be worth buying an astronomy magazine like Sky at Night.

[Mike73]

Turn Left at Orion to start you off and help you learn the skies then get The Messier Objects by Stephen O'Meara as an aid for when you start the Messier 110.

[swamp thing]

Hi

A lot of books will teach you whereabouts in the sky to look for objects, this book will do this too but it will also teach you how to look. This I think is just as important.

http://www.amazon.co...e/dp/0521598893

The principles of how to star hop are all explained within. All the methods of understanding how your fields of view can help when star hopping to any object with any scope.

It also explains how to calculate your FOV for all your star hopping tools. Then goes on to month by month chapters on star hops you can take through the constellations with some great info on the mythology behind the constellation and additional info on the stars and other objects found within.

I would add this is not a thin, typical reference book but around 330 pages of info. There is a great deal in it.

I highly recommend it.

[seders]

So - Turn Left at Orion ordered. Unfortunately neither Orion, nor any other celestial body, has been visible for far too long.

Does anyone have suggestions for good introductory books particularly to be read under current cloudy skies!?

[rory]

backyard astronomers guide is a all aspects covered type book,if thats what your after seders.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Backyard-Astronomers-Guide-Terence-Dickinson/dp/1554073448/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342790661&sr=8-1

[TheNorthernMonkey]

How is your maths? If you can manage A-level maths, then there are some really interesting text books around which are written for beginners, but in a much more technical style.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Introductory-Astronomy-Astrophysics-Saunders-Sunburst/dp/0030062284/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342790866&sr=8-1

or

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Universe-Roger-Freedman/dp/142923153X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342790889&sr=1-1

[Dan85]

+1 for Backyard Astronomers Guide and Stellarium.

[Spec-Chum]

How is your maths? If you can manage A-level maths, then there are some really interesting text books around which are written for beginners, but in a much more technical style.

http://www.amazon.co...42790866&sr=8-1

or

http://www.amazon.co...42790889&sr=1-1

Interesting! Expensive, but interesting. I did A-level maths, but it was some time ago. Could you give an example of the level of skill I'd need please?

[bottletopburly]

turn left at orion

[E621Keith]

+1 Turn Left At Orion. It shows you sketches of what you can realistically expect to see in a telescope, rather than beautiful long exposure images that does not resemble what you see in an eyepiece.

[Steve Ward]

"Nightwatch" by Terence Dickinson ,

I picked this up for a pound in the Oxfam bookshop a couple of years ago ,

Without doubt the best beginners guide I've seen ,

http://www.cloudynig...php?item_id=165

http://www.amazon.co...e/dp/1552093026

I highly recommend this .

And Sir Patrick Moore's Yearbook of Astronomy (various)

[r3i]

Turn Left at Orion always seems to go down well and I'd also add my recommendations for a Planisphere.

The Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders is also worth having but perhaps not as a beginners book: get it once you've cut your teeth on the other recommendations. Also on your shopping list could be the S&T Pocket Sky Atlas though it seems to have leapt in price on Amazon since I bought it.

I also enjoy the Cambridge Illustrated Dictionary of Astronomy, which is a useful reference book to dip into.

[Brent]

Cosmic Challenge - The Ultimate Observing List For Amateurs

Really well written and challenges for all levels of experience and equipment.

[alexog]

I like anything by Sir Patrick Moore. He writes like he speaks. When reading you can almost hear him.

[seigfriedwilson]

I like anything by Sir Patrick Moore. He writes like he speaks. When reading you can almost hear him.

I'd second that. If you can get hold of his Survey of the Moon, it us an excellent read. A little out of date now but still lots of info worth noting.

Seigfried