Essential reading for the amateur astronomer

[Prador]

Hello again

As nearly everybody here is far more experienced than me what would you all consider as essential reading for the budding amateur astronomer?

I am currently reading Making Every Photon Count and the Haynes Astronomy Manual but I am sure there are other publications that should be inwardly digested.

Can this request also include reading material required in the field whilst observing as well as in the home?

Many thanks in advance

Dave

[nicnac]

turn left at orion is great to get you star hopping and phillips stargazing with a telescope is good too

these too

http://www.telescopehouse.com/acatalog/Philips_Astro_Box__Northern_.html

http://www.green-witch.com/acatalog/Beginners_Section.html

[PreludeToADream]

I second Turn Left at Orion. Great for reading both inside and in the field. Haven't found a better book. It shows you realistic pictures of what you'll see through the eyepiece rather than misleading astrophotos from the HST etc. The 4th edition has recently come out. You can pick it up from Amazon fairly cheaply.

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[Grunthos]

I recommend S&Ts Pocket Sky Atlas (for use in the field).

Have found it to be invaluable and convenient.

[Prador]

Thank you for your very useful recommends. TLAO and Philips Astro Box ordered.

Slight tangent here but what photo editing software (adobe photoshop etc...) is most user friendly when editing/touching up astro images?

Freeware is obviously good but have no problem paying for the right software package

[Grunthos]

what photo editing software

GIMP is popular I believe (free).

Photoshop quite "complicated" IMHO (too bloated).