What's your favourite astronomy book?

[dellboy78]

I do like a good book, so tell me, what is your favourite astronomy book and why?

[dobbie]

turn left at orion,,, i think it should come free with every new scope:D

ps forgot to tell you why!! its simple to read and understand , the only hard bit is how to pronounce the authors name..

[rory]

illustrated guide to astronomical wonders. why? well simply ,it gets opened and used more than any of the others.

[wired2moon]

Why is Uranus Upside Down? By Fred Watson - Funny, engaging and informative. Also, just finished Parallel Worlds by Michio Kaku - really gripping, discusses cutting edge theoretical astro-physics - and then quite a few years back I really enjoyed Stephen Baxter's Deep Future - intriguing ideas on mankind's expansion into space and his survival in a changing universe (Kaku discusses this too). Mind bending stuff for sure

Edit: erm, can the second two actually be labelled astronomy... probably not sorry! But they're good

[flight69er]

Another vote for 'Turn Left at Orion'. Dobbie has it in a nutshell.

[tollytastic1]

Difficult to choose only one I love many of Patrick Moore's books my favourite at the moment being the easy to read Stargazing (simple,informative and great to take outside). However my favourite astronomy books, well at least for today, are the beautifully presented Turn left at Orion and Making Every Photon Count as it told me the answers before I even knew the questions!!

Paul

[gooseholla]

Any of the philip's books I suppose, but I really do like Giles Sparrow's The Stargazer's handbook.

[West End Wendy]

The Night Has A Thousand Eyes by Arthur Upgren. Inspiring, informative and no telescope required.

Tim

[West End Wendy]

Any of the philip's books I suppose, but I really do like Giles Sparrow's The Stargazer's handbook.

Talking of Giles Sparrow, the big coffee-table Hubble book that he's the writer of is not just a book of pretty pictures - it's also superbly written and informative.

[paul schofield]

TLAO, Philips Star Atlas, Patrick Moores year book of astronomy, Backyard Astronomer, Astronomy For Dummies and the 2 Wonders books. oh and Phil Plaitts Bad Astronomy. Carl Sagan's Cosmos.

[redgiantjohn]

brian greenes the elegant universe was outstanding,some of it was a bit heavy but got through it, im currently reading his follow up fabric of the cosmos which is even more mind boggling can really change ones perception of reality! more physics than astronomy but i think everybody should give them a go

[Greg]

Observing The night Sky With Binoculars...

Phillips Deep Sky Observers Handbook..

I've never actually looked at Turn Left At Orion, but it gets good reviews...

Greg

[jammyd0dger]

haven't read any yet but 2 people have recommended the backyard astronomers guide by t dickinson

[assasincz]

Apart from the one-that-I-can't-remember-the-name-of book I was amazed by when being a small boy, Pale Blue Dot by Carl Sagan tends to open your eyes

[reddoss]

The observer's book of astronomy (1973) by Patrick Moore - a school boy classic!

[Alkaid]

Choosing and using a refracting telescope - by English.

I'm going to buy a frac soon and I love this book. Very good read.

I can't remember who said it, but I read a quote somewhere saying

"I like telescopes. I like astronomy almost as much".

I'm kinda in that camp at the minute. I love telescopes.

[inspectapart]

"Nightwatch" by Terrence Dickinson.

Reason is, it has simple easy to read star maps which also give detailed info on the interesting objects such as: magnitude, distance from here, size, and type. Also loads of info on scopes, eps, mounts and general astronomy tips. I have Turn Left at Orion, also a fantastic book, but Nightwatch is different in its simplicity and just a great read.

Bob.

[phw26]

" Turn Left at Orion" is my favorite and most used book, it always comes with me at observing sessions.

[Viv]

Turn left of yes.

But also Steve Richard, Making every photon count - it's really helped and something I go back to for reference / clarification.

[John]

My most used are:

Nortons Star Atlas

Observing the Constellations by John Sanford

My favourite read has been:

The Light Hearted Astronomer by Ken Fulton

[laser_jock99]

Wil Tirion's Sky Atlas 2000- everything listed that I'll ever want to see in there.

[RikM]

Not strictly astronomy but as a child I read 'Flying to the Moon and other strange places' by Michael Collins. It really captured my imagination and was one of the drivers that led me to this hobby.

[Caelus]

Turn left at Orion looks rapidly to be becoming a new favourite, though I have to go for Patrick Moore's "New guide to the planets". It's an old book now, but I used to read it from cover to cover as a kid at least two or three times a year. I'd love to see an updated version of this book!

[peterbolson]

Having worked my way through TLO I moved onto the Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders by Robert Bruce Thompson & Barbara Fritchman Thompson and now use that for all my evening's observing. It's getting very dogeared so it must be good ! Highly recommended. I like their Astronomy Hacks as well.

[Jove]

Norton's Star Atlas and Handbook is probably the one I use most, but Burnham's Celestial Handbook is perhaps my favourite - if only it had a section on the planets! The introductory chapters are a great introduction to the subject.