Favorite childhood astronomy book?

[Wyvern]

Possibly not my first astro book, but certainly the one that I - as a teenager - found inspiring,...... and still do ....  would by "Starlight Nights" by Leslie Peltier.

Les

[L8-Nite]

 "The Stars" - by H.A.Rey

I used to check it out from the school library until I got my own copy.  The dust jacket opened into a star chart. I still have it.  

I picked up a newer version many years ago, which I recently gave to a friend; as I understand, it's still available in print. 

[almcl]

This one really fired my imagination as an eight year old.

I also have Sir Patrick's The Amateur Astronomer published in 1960 which I have had from new.

[rowan46]

i spy the sky  

[reddoss]

i spy the sky  

I remeber the 'I-spy' books, think I had that one as well.

[baggywrinkle]

Both Observers Book of Astronomy and Patrick Moores 'Astronomy'

[Laurie61]

These are mine  77 edition of guide to the moon, a 75 teach yourself astronomy, 76 Moon Mars and Venus and two observer's book of astronomy both 78's. Also have an old Norton's somewhere.

 

  

[r3i]

Quite a few 'old friends' have been mentioned that I've still got on my shelf:

• Patrick Moore's Observers Guide to Astronomy
  
• Menzl's Field Guide to the Stars and Planets
  
• Rukl's Concise Guide to the Constellations (to which I've added the Moon, Mars & Venus companion in recent times)
  

Another inspiring book from a young age which I no longer have was the Ladybird Book of the Night Sky.

[kirkster501]

When a child I had a book given to me called "The Starry Heavens" that gave me my liife long love of the stars.  I lost the book long ago...

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I had this one always out on loan from the library back in the 80s.    astronomy with binoculars.jpg

It was great 

That was my favourite. I bought my own copy and it was used so much it fell to bits. The first thing that got me hooked was the Apollo program. I begged my parents (successfully, bless them) if I could see the first man on the moon live on TV, even though it was way past my bed time. I was allowed to see it, and that really got me hooked.

[rowan46]

I thought that's where Mercury came from?

I didn't get that for a minute very clever

[Marki]

Possibly not my first astro book, but certainly the one that I - as a teenager - found inspiring,...... and still do ....  would by "Starlight Nights" by Leslie Peltier.

Les

I only recently read this - bought a copy on amazon - looks to be exactly the same edition. I really enjoyed it .

My first astronomy book, like for so many, was Patrick Moore's Observers Book of Astronomy (around 1970). A couple of years later I was given a copy of Nigel Calder's Violent Universe too.

[Elysian]

My mum used to go to Usbourne book parties haha, she bought this one for me and I think it started it all.

[Astroscot2]

For me it was Leslie Peltiers Guidepost to the Stars,  borrowed it from the school Libarary and they never got it back.  Ive also read Starlight Nights mentioned above  - If youve not read it please do .

[wheresthetorch?]

I wish I could remember more about mine, as I'd love to get another copy. It would have been in the 70s and was about the size of an observers book. Soft cover with a picture of Saturn on the front - I thought it was called 'the Stars' but seems unlikely as it covered all aspects of amateur astronomy. Anyone got any idea?

[RT65CB-SWL]

I think mine was the 'I-Spy - The Sky'

...and I think my edition cost me 1/6 (a weeks pocket money).

[rowan46]

I think mine was the 'I-Spy - The Sky'

the sky.jpg

...and I think my edition cost me 1/6 (a weeks pocket money).

 one and six? Riches beyond the dreams of avarice, I got a shilling a week. Of course i was only a child then and now that I have a wife a house a teenage daughter and of course a job  I get much more but half a crown doesn't go as far as it used to

[kirkster501]

Also Asimov's guide to astronomy - great book!

[lguise]

The Ladybird book of the night sky! I was given mine around 1967, great images and fondly remembered.

[Caldwell14]

If you were hooked by astronomy at a young age, which was your favorite astronomy or space book that inspired you and why?

Mine was The Observers book of Astronomy by Sir Patrick Moore. I ordered a 1971 edition on e-bay and it arrived today. It was a little emotional to be re-united with a childhood friend, especially when I turned to the page with the illustrations of the coloured double stars. I just used to love that page as  and 11 year old boy, and still do now!

Same as that, I was about 11 I think. One of my daughters bought me the same edition last year for Christmas as it goes

[Caldwell14]

The Ladybird book of the night sky! I was given mine around 1967, great images and fondly remembered.

Yeah I had that one too