Backyard Astronomer's Guide

Published by Firefly Books Ltd. 2008

www.fireflybooks.ca

Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer

ISBN 13: 978-1-55407-344-3

ISBN 10: 1-55407-344-8

Produced by

Bookmakers Press Inc.

12 Pine Street

Kingston, Ontario K7K 1W1

(613) 549-4347

Original design by Robbie Cooke

Revised edition by Michael Webb

Front cover image of the Horsehead Nebula by R. Jay GaBany

ABOUT THE BOOK
The website supports our book The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide. First published in 1991 and revised in 2002, the new 2008 “3rd Edition” keeps pace with a fast-changing hobby. At 368 pages, the new book is 32 pages larger than its previous edition, which itself was 40 pages larger than the original 1991 edition. Yet, the price remains $50.

ABOUT THE WEBSITE
Here you’ll find lots of up-to-date information and advice about all aspects of the hobby, and our blogs and opinions. We have movies and animations, updates on equipment, further advice on buying telescopes, links to hundreds of companies and other helpful websites, and loads of recommendations for other books to read. Just click to start exploring the site’s content, organized by topic to match the book’s content. Please Contact Us to e-mail us your comments.
— Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer, November 2009 authors@backyardastronomy.com

Among the current highlights of the site:
Chapter 1 — A “Cosmic Zoom” through the universe + an Illustrated “Aah” Factor

Chapter 1 & all other chapters — Extensive lists of our favorite books on all topics

Chapter 3 — Suggestions for best beginner telescopes + updates on new telescopes

Chapters 3, 4 & 5 — Extensive “Links” to websites of telescope & accessory suppliers

Chapters 7, 11 & 12 — Time-lapse “real-sky”movies of sky phenomena & motions

Chapter 8 — Home movies of star parties

Chapter 13 — More astrophoto articles including updates on new DSLR cameras

Website design by Alan Dyer

Our book, The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide, is as complete a guide to the modern hobby of amateur astronomy as we could pack into one book. Even so, our website allows us to supplement the book’s printed content with other media, and to provide updates for rapidly-changing areas of the hobby.

The main section of the website is divided into “Chapters” that match the topics in the book. Under each chapter you’ll find three main sections ….

What’s New … provides updates of book content such as news and reviews of new telescope models, accessories or software, & current hot cameras for astrophotography.

Plus you’ll find additional information to expand the subject matter of that chapter. In some cases, the supplements contain videos and other media.

Links … provide links to our favorite websites related to the chapter topic. We also provide an extensive set of links to manufacturers of astronomy hardware and software.

Recommended Reading … provides a list of books we recommend to pursue your interest further in that chapter’s subject. While our book contains a 3-page bibliography, the website expands upon that, providing links to publishers.