Turn Left at Orion

[Stavros]

Hi all,

This is more for the other newbies like myself.

I've seen this book mentioned over and over again on this forum called Turn Left at Orion, it's been praised as a great starting point for learning the night sky and how to find objects of interest.

Having read members praising this book i decided to purchase it and see what all the fuss is about.

I have had this book since yesterday and I CANNOT RECOMMEND IT ENOUGH! If you have just started with Astronomy as a hobby buy this book, you will not be disappointed.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Turn-Left-Orion-Hundreds-Telescope/dp/0521153972

Stu

[LukeSkywatcher]

TLAO is a bit of a new astronomers bible. 

[Stavros]

As i've discovered already.

Its now my GOTO book.

[ronin]

Not all go for it. My copy I opened twice and it is sat gathering dust. :eek:

Something about it never quite clicked with me, just one of those things.       

That is why I tend to suggest anyone searches out a book they get along with.

[LukeSkywatcher]

There are other books. The Backyard Astronomer is another very popular choice. Collins Gem: Stars is another.

[Mak the Night]

[laudropb]

A book I bought right at the start. Read it. Used it for a month or so but now never return to it. I suppose we are all different.

[Ro3bert]

I haven't gotten it yet in spite of the number of people recommending it. Guess I'll have to go over to Barns & Noble and pick one up and see what the recommendations are all about.

[Putaendo Patrick]

For those who grew up on Sir Patrick Moore and the younger generation who didn't, his Observer's Year has been brought up to date by Mike Inglis in an edition to cover 2015-2020. It's an enjoyable read..... even if you live in the southern hemisphere! Here's the publisher's site, with some tasters you can download:

http://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319186771

[shelby90]

I've heard good things about Turn Left at Orion but have not picked it up myself. However, when I started getting interested in astronomy I bought the book Nightwatch by Terence Dickinson. I really love that book as it was my first introduction to astronomy as an actual hobby. I agree with what some others have said-- what works for you and what is able to speak to you is what matters 

[Staffs Oatcake]

I trawled eBay and got a secondhand copy for the princely sum of £3.99. It's a great book to start with, but like many of people my age it was the Observer books that got me hooked.

[Dave In Vermont]

I started with the Encyclopedia Britannica and the section on planets when I was 4. My mom discovered me reading this and promptly took me to the town library. I don't have a clear memory of all the books on astronomy I read. But I can safely say I cleaned out the library astronomy-section.

Never read a copy of "Turn Left...." but I have kept an eye open. If a copy cross my path, at a reasonable price, I'll surely oblige it with a reading.

Dave

[Neptune38]

I've ordered a copy of TLAO, as recommended by a few people on here, just waiting for it to arrive....

[jason.p]

I use my TLAO as my main reference book but have to be honest I'm not a hundred percent happy with it. I find I'm using it alongside the S&T Pocket Atlas to fill in the gaps and often have to draw in constellation lines or other reference points to get some of the diagrams in context. Maybe it's just me!

(I don't think all the Messiers are there either, but that's not such a big deal)

I think I may have a look at some of the other books recommended in previous posts.

[Mak the Night]

I have discovered this at Project Gutenberg: 'A Field Book of the Stars by William Tyler Olcott', I believe it was first published in the early 20th century. It can be downloaded for free.

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20769

It can be read online or downloaded to Kindle. Alternatively the ePub version can be downloaded to Android devices and read natively on them. On Linux PBReader may have to be added from the respective repository. ePub books can be read on Windows using the excellent and very light freeware Sumatra PDF reader (I replaced Adobe Reader with Sumatra on Windows a long time ago).

http://www.sumatrapdfreader.org/free-pdf-reader.html

[Jay1989]

I've also just bought this book because of the amount of people talking about it on here, hasn't arrived yet, will give feedback when it does

[brantuk]

When you've used TLAO for a few months and got through a lot of the objects - a good book to extend your knowledge of the sky is "The Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders" by Thompson and Thompson. It's more of the same stuff and written in a similar easy going style with diagrams and finding instructions - but with hundreds more objects.

[Astromaster130]

I got turn left at orion for christmas and have read a couple of pages of interest and am finding it very interesting and useful. I like the fact it shows what you would see through certain scopes! ✨

[baggywrinkle]

For those who grew up on Sir Patrick Moore and the younger generation who didn't, his Observer's Year has been brought up to date by Mike Inglis in an edition to cover 2015-2020. It's an enjoyable read..... even if you live in the southern hemisphere! Here's the publisher's site, with some tasters you can download:

http://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319186771

I like TLAO and still refer to it.

I do not like the Springer books. Overpriced and often poorly edited.

The Observers book is still a good one as is the little Gems book as a pocket guide.

[cjdawson]

TLAO is a great starter book for sure.  Some have said it's not for everyone - that's fine, if you don't get on it with that's your choise.  However, for those starting out it is definitely one of the books on the top of the list to get access too.  There are alternatives which people enjoy, and hey, just because someone picks TLAO does not mean they should only use that one book and nothing else. It's just one reference, it's a good tutorial for beginners and a useful reference for the rest of us.

There are plenty of books some you'll get on with others you won't.  I simply say, try as many as you can get your hands on and decide what you like and dislike from there.  A given book might not be for you, but it might be perfect for someone else.

[ngwillym]

that's what got me started

[BritAngler]

The Observer's book got me started too, and like many people I still have my original copy. I'd say it's the "Mr Crabtree Goes Fishing" of the astronomy world

[Staffs Oatcake]

Mr Crabtree was my inspiration for a plethora of angling sagas. But back on topic. I was given a subscription to the Sky at Night magazine, but as part of the package it also came with these 2 books. Collins 2016 Guide to the Night Sky and the Philips's Complete guide to Stargazing. Not looked at them properly, but for the absolute beginner they seem useful resource books.

[glowjet]

When you've used TLAO for a few months and got through a lot of the objects - a good book to extend your knowledge of the sky is "The Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders" by Thompson and Thompson. It's more of the same stuff and written in a similar easy going style with diagrams and finding instructions - but with hundreds more objects.

I would also give +1 to the Illustrated Guide to Astronomical wonders, as mentioned a very good continuation of the ever popular TLAO. If you want details of how to find many more objects in the Constellations to observe, then this is the book for you.

If you want to expand your Astronomical knowledge, I would recommend, Sir Patrick Moore`s "Data Book of Astronomy", probably his last major work in bringing up to date his original book "Guinness book of Astronomy Facts and Feats" , circa 1979. The new book takes into account current advances in Astronomy, a lot of the old work being rewritten and brought up to date, extends to some 588 pages, packed with data but an excellent read as well

[Neptune38]

My copy arrived in the post a few days ago, been slowly picking my way through it, i think it will be a very helpful book, waiting for clear skies again, so i can go out and get some more practice in with my scope.