FOR FURTHER READING
We also list the same recommendations for further reading under each Chapter. But this page compiles the complete Further Reading list in one place.
General Interest Astronomy Guidebooks
Nightwatch by Terence Dickinson (Firefly Books; Willowdale, Ontario; 1998). Some bias here, but this book has proven to be one of the best-selling guides to the hobby for beginners. Backyard Guide is an advanced sequel to Nightwatch.
Summer Stargazing by Terence Dickinson (Firefly Books; Willowdale, Ontario; 1996). A detailed guide to the constellations and deep-sky objects of the summer sky.
Starlight Nights: The Adventures of a Star-Gazer by Leslie C. Peltier (Sky Publishing; Cambridge, MA; 1999 A wonderful book chronicling one man's odyssey in backyard astronomy, written by one of the 20th century's most gifted amateur astronomers. To show a skeptic why astronomy is so compelling, give them this charming book.
Skywatching by David Levy (Nature Company/Time-Life; San Francisco; 1994). A lavishly illustrated introduction to astronomy as a science and as a hobby. Good monthly star charts and individual constellation maps.
Advanced Skywatching (a.k.a. Backyard Astronomy in softcover) by Robert Burnham, Alan Dyer, Robert Garfinkle, Martin George and Jeff Kanipe (Nature Company/Time-Life; San Francisco; 1997). A sequel to Skywatching with more detailed hobby information and excellent star-hopping charts.
Astronomy: The Definitive Guide by Robert Burnham, Alan Dyer, and Jeff Kanipe (Weldon-Owen; Sydney; 2002). A beautifully-illustrated introduction to astronomy with good seasonal star maps and star-hopping charts.
David Levy's Guide to the Night Sky by David H. Levy (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 2001). A revision of a fine personal guide to all types of amateur observing and the wonder of the night sky.
The Beginner's Observing Guide by Leo Enright (Royal Astronomical Society of Canada; Toronto; 1999). A fine introduction to the night sky for novice observers.
365 Starry Nights by Chet Raymo (Simon and Schuster; New York; 1982). A classic work that tours you through interesting sky sights for every night of the year.
The Magnificent Universe by Ken Crosswell (Simon and Schuster; New York; 1999). The best of several cosmic coffee table picture books. Spectacular.
The Universe and Beyond by Terence Dickinson (Firefly Books; Willowdale, Ontario; 1996). More bias here, but a beautifully illustrated summary of current astronomical knowledge and "armchair" topics such as black holes and ET life.
Seeing in the Dark by Timothy Ferris (Simon and Schuster, New York; 2002). A wonderful "biography" of the hobby of amateur astronomy and key figures in the hobby. Though the book profiles "high-end" amateurs who pursue serious projects, their thoughts and feelings about their love of the sky are shared by all. A great read by one of the best science writers, and an amateur astronomer himself. This is the Starlight Nights of the 21st century. Get it!
CHAPTER TWO: Binoculars for the Beginner and Serious Observer
Binocular Guidebooks
Binocular Astronomy by Craig Crossen and Wil Tirion (Willmann-Bell; Richmond, VA; 1992). A comprehensive guide to deep-sky objects for binoculars.
Touring the Universe Through Binoculars by Philip Harrington (John Wiley and Sons; New York; 1990). No charts but lots of information on suitable targets.
CHAPTER THREE: Telescopes for Recreational Astronomy
Also
CHAPTER FOUR: Essential Accessories--Eyepieces and Filters
And
CHAPTER FIVE: The Backyard Guide "Accessory Catalog"
About Telescopes, Commercial and Homemade
Star Ware by Philip Harrington (John Wiley and Sons; New York, 2002). Tons of brand- and model-specific information with recommendations on telescopes and accessories by an experienced telescope user. Visit the author's website at: www.philharrington.net
Choosing and Using a Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope by Rod Mollise (Springer-Verlag; London; 2001). A user's guide to SCTs and Maks with many model-specific tips.
Using an ETX Telescope by Mike Weasner (Springer-Verlag; London; 2002). A user's guide to Meade's popular ETX models, with suggested observing targets.
Cambridge Guide to Stargazing with Your Telescope by Robin Scagell (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 2000). One of the best of the many British amateur astronomy guidebooks.
Star-Testing Astronomical Telescopes by Harold Richard Suiter (Willmann-Bell; Richmond, VA; 1994). Technical, but the authoritative guide to star testing telescope optics.
Telescope Making
Build Your Own Telescope by Richard Berry (Willmann-Bell; Richmond, VA; 2001). Plans for five simple scopes of various sizes and styles, both Dobsonian and equatorial.
The Dobsonian Telescope by Richard Berry and David Kriege (Willmann-Bell; Richmond, VA; 1997). Detailed construction plans for advanced builders, from two telescope making experts.
Astronomical Travel
Astronomical Centers of the World by Kevin Krisciunas (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 1988). Background information on the world's great observatories.
Star and Sky: Discovery Travel Adventures; Robert Burnham, ed. (Discovery Communications; London; 2000). Visitors guides to North America's best observatories, planetariums, and space centers. Co-written by author Alan Dyer.
CHAPTER SIX: Using Your New Telescope
Star Testing a Telescope
Perspectives on Collimation by Vic Menard and Tippy D'Auria (Privately published, available from Tectron Telescopes. For information, go to:
Amateur Astronomy magazine FL (352) 490-9101
www.amateurastronomy.com
Telescope Optics; Evaluation and Design by Harrie Rutten and Martin van Venrooij (Willmann-Bell, Inc., Richmond, VA; 1988). Technical but an authoritative guide to the performance characteristics of various optical designs.
Star-Testing Astronomical Telescopes by Harold Richard Suiter (Willmann-Bell; Richmond, VA; 1994). Technical, but the authoritative guide to star testing telescope optics.
CHAPTER SEVEN: The Naked-Eye Sky
Naked-Eye Astronomy Guides
Seeing the Sky by Fred Schaaf (John Wiley and Sons; New York; 1990). A fine compilation of neat things to look for in the sky above you.
Atmospheric Phenomena
Color and Light in Nature by David K. Lynch and William Livingstone (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 1995). Beautifully illustrated guide to sky phenomena.
Exploring the Sky by Day by Terence Dickinson (Camden House; Camden East, Ontario; 1988). An introduction to day sky phenomena; aimed at all ages.
Light and Color in the Outdoors by Marcel Minnaert (Springer-Verlag; London; 1993). Revision of the classic work on optical sky phenomena.
Peterson's Field Guide to the Atmosphere by Vincent J. Schaefer and John A. Day (Houghton Mifflin; New York; 1981). A pocket guide to weather and clouds.
Rainbows, Haloes, and Glories by Robert Greenler (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 1980). Still the classic work on these phenomena.
Sunsets, Twilights, and Evening Skies by Aden and Marjorie Meinel (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 1983). A fine companion volume to Greenler.
Aurora
Aurora: The Mysterious Northern Lights by Candace Savage (Greystone Books; Vancouver; 1994). The best popular-level work on the subject in recent years.
Meteors and Meteorites
Cambridge Encyclopedia of Meteorites by O. Richard Norton and Alan E. Rubin (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 2002). A comprehensive volume detailing types of meteorites and many falls and finds.
Falling Stars by Mike D. Reynolds (Stackpole Books; 2001). An introduction to meteors and metorites.
Meteors by Neil Bone (Sky Publishing; Cambridge, MA). A guide to making scientific observations of meteors.
CHAPTER EIGHT: Observing Conditions--Your Site and Light Pollution
Light Pollution: Strategies and Solutions by Bob Mizon (Springer-Verlag; London; 2001). About its effects, how to minimize them, and conduct a campaign in your community to combat light pollution.
CHAPTER NINE: Observing the Moon, Sun and Comets
Lunar Observing
Atlas of the Moon by Antonin Rukl (Hamlyn; London; 1991). Unfortunately out of print but worth the search through used book outlets as this is the best lunar atlas guidebook around.
Atlas of the Lunar Terminator by John E. Westfall (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 2000). A lunar atlas made of mosaics of CCD images taken along the lunar terminator at various phases.
Epic Moon by William P. Sheehan and Thomas A. Dobbins (Willmann-Bell; Richmond, VA; 2001). A history of telescopic exploration of our Moon.
The Hatfield Photographic Lunar Atlas, Jeremy Cook, ed. (Springer-Verlag; London; 1999). A reprint of the classic atlas with photos by Henry Hatfield taken with a 12.5-inch telescope in the 1960s.
Observing the Moon: The Modern Astronomer's Guide by Gerald North (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 2000). A thorough guide to lunar observing.
Eclipses
Eclipse! by Phil Harrington (John Wiley and Sons; New York; 1997). A thorough guide to all upcoming eclipses, with paths, times, and weather prospects.
Eclipse by Duncan Steel (Headline; London; 1999), A good summary of the history and science of solar eclipses.
Fifty Year Canon of Solar Eclipses (NASA RP 1178) and Fifty Year Canon of Lunar Eclipses (NASA RP 1216), both by Fred Espenak (NASA Reference Publications/Sky Publishing; Cambridge). Definitive technical information on upcoming eclipses.
Glorious Eclipses by Serge Brunier and Jean-Pierre Luminet (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 2000). A coffee table book filled with magnificent eclipse images.
Totality: Eclipses of the Sun by Mark Littmann, Ken Willcox, and Fred Espenak. All about eclipses and why people travel the world to see them.
Transits
June 8, 2004: Venus in Transit by Eli Maor (Princeton University Press; Princeton; 2000). Good summary of the history of transit observations.
Transit: When Planets Cross the Sun by Michael Maunder and Patrick Moore (Springer-Verlag; London; 2000). A guide to the history and mechanics of transits.
The Transits of Venus by Harry Woolf (Arno Press; New York; 1981). Reprint of the definitive 1959 work on the 18th century Venus transit expeditions.
Solar Observing
Solar Astronomy Handbook by Beck, Hilbrecht, Reinsch, and Volker. A detailed guide to viewing the Sun and tracking solar features.
Comets
Comets: Creators and Destroyers by David H. Levy (Simon and Schuster; New York; 1998). The history and significance of comets, by a comet expert and discoverer.
Great Comets by Robert Burnham (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 2000). The facts and lore surrounding the brightest comets seen in historical times including Hale-Bopp and Hyakutake.
Observing Meteors, Comets, Supernovae, and other Transient Phenomena by Neil Bone (Springer-Verlag; London; 1998). A guide to amateur scientific observations.
CHAPTER TEN: Observing the Planets
Planet Observing Guidebooks and History
Introduction to Observing and Photographing the Solar System by Thomas A. Dobbins, Donald C. Parker, and Charles Capen (Willman-Bell; Richmond, VA; 1988). The imaging information is now out of date but not the observing advice.
The Compact NASA Atlas of the Solar System by Ronald Greeley and Raymond Batson (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 1997). A beautiful compilation of NASA's best atlases of all the mapped worlds of the solar system.
The New Solar System, Beatty, Peterson and Chaikin, ed. (Sky Publishing/Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 1999). A fact-filled summary of what we know about the solar system's worlds.
Mars: The Lure of the Red Planet by William Sheehan and Stephen James O'Meara (Prometheus Books; New York; 2001). An engaging history of what we thought we knew about Mars.
Planets and Perception by William Sheehan (University of Arizona Press; Tucson; 1988). History of misperceptions about the planets from telescopic views.
The Planet Observer's Handbook by Fred Price and John Westfall (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 2000). An up-to-date volume instructing observers how to make detailed and useful observations.
-CHAPTER ELEVEN: Finding Your Way Around the Sky
Annual and Perennial Reference Works
Observer's Handbook, Rajiv Gupta, ed. (Royal Astronomical Society of Canada; Toronto). Indispensable annual guide to the year's celestial events.
Astronomical Calendar by Guy Ottewell (Universal Workshop; Middleburg, VA). Superbly illustrated annual guide to sky events; in large format.
Star Hopping Guidebooks
The Observer's Sky Atlas by Erich Karkoschka (Springer-Verlag; New York; 1998). An overlooked but excellent guide to finding a choice selection of targets.
Stars and Planets: A Viewer's Guide by Gunter Roth (Sterling Publishing; New York; 1998). A fine guide with charts to selected deep-sky objects.
Star Hopping: Your Visa to Viewing the Universe by Robert Garfinkle (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 1994). The author provides 14 star-hopping tours for the telescope owner.
Star Hopping for Backyard Astronomers by Alan M. MacRobert (Sky Publishing; Cambridge, MA; 1993). Good charts and illustrations take you on 14 star-hopping tours of selected regions of the sky.
Turn Left at Orion by Guy Consolmagno and Dan M. Davis (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 2000). A great star-hopping guide to the sky's best 100 objects, with finder charts and eyepiece sketches of object appearances.
Star Atlases and Companion Reference Works
Peterson Field Guide to the Stars and Planets by Jay M. Pasachoff (Houghton Mifflin; New York; 2000). One of the best pocket field guides to the stars and constellations.
Bright Star Atlas by Wil Tirion (Willmann-Bell, Richmond, VA; revised 2002). A handy 6th magnitude atlas for the bargain price of $10.
Cambridge Star Atlas by Wil Tirion (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge; 1996). An excellent atlas for users of small to moderate sized telescopes.
DeepMap 600 published by Orion Telescopes and Binoculars (www.telescopes.com). A handy foldout plasticized chart mapping 600 of the best deep-sky objects and double stars.
SkyAtlas 2000.0 by Wil Tirion and Roger W. Sinnott (Sky Publishing, Cambridge, MA; 1998). An essential atlas for users of 8-inch and larger telescopes. Available in several editions: full color Deluxe Edition, white on black Field Edition, and black on white Desk Edition. All available in laminated versions for use outside on dewy nights.
SkyAtlas 2000.0 Companion by Robert A. Strong and Roger W. Sinnott (Sky Publishing, Cambridge, MA; 2000). Data and descriptions of every deep-sky object plotted on the the SkyAtlas 2000 charts.
Uranometria 2000.0 and Deep Sky Field Guide (Willmann-Bell, Richmond, VA; revised 2001). A superb 9th magnitude atlas in two volumes with a third companion volume listing data and descriptions of all deep-sky objects plotted.
Millennium Star Atlas by Roger W. Sinnott and Michael A.C. Perryman (Sky Publishing/European Space Agency, Cambridge; 1997). A monumental 3-volume atlas down to 11th magnitude. Expensive but definitive.
Other Recommended Guidebooks
Barron's Nature Guide: Stars and Planets by Joachim Ekrutt (Barron's; Munich; 1992). Contains excellent monthly hemisphere star maps for northern and southern latitudes.
Collins Gem: Stars by Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (Harper Collins; Glasgow; 1985). A gem of a little book; a constellation guide for a shirt pocket.
Eyewitness Handbooks: Stars and Planets by Ian Ridpath (Dorling Kindersley; London; 1998). One of the best of many constellation guidebooks titled Stars and Planets
Great Atlas of the Stars by Serge Brunier and Akira Fuji (Firefly Books; Willowdale, Ontario; 2001). Contrary to the name, it is not a complete sky atlas but this is a wonderful gallery of wide-angle sky photos with the best targets highlighted with transparent overlays. A fine coffee table book.
The Night Sky Observer's Guide (two volumes) by George Robert Kepple and Glen W. Sanner (Willmann-Bell; Richmond, VA; 1998). Guides to thousands of objects, with charts, descriptions, photos and sketches. A monumental and essential work.
Observing Handbook and Catalogue of Deep-Sky Objects by Christian B. Luginbuhl and Brian A. Skiff (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge; 1990). Excellent descriptions and catalogue information about thousands of objects, from two experienced observers.
The Southern Sky Guide by David Ellyard and Wil Tirion (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2001). An excellent and convenient guide for getting to know the southern hemisphere sky, with monthly all-sky maps and detailed atlas charts in southern-sky orientation.
A Walk Through the Southern Sky by Milton D. Heifetz and Wil Tirion (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2000). A good rank beginner's guide to getting to know the southern stars and constellations.
The Universe and How to See It by Giles Sparrow (Reader's Digest Books; New York; 2001). A lavishly illustrated guide to finding and learning about celestial wonders.
-CHAPTER TWELVE: Exploring the Deep Sky
Deep Sky Observing References and Guidebooks
Introductory Works
Barron's Nature Guide: Stars and Planets by Joachim Ekrutt (Barron's; Munich; 1992). Contains excellent monthly hemisphere star maps for northern and southern latitudes.
Collins Gem: Stars by Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (Harper Collins; Glasgow; 1985). A gem of a little book; a constellation guide for a shirt pocket.
Eyewitness Handbooks: Stars and Planets by Ian Ridpath (Dorling Kindersley; London; 1998). One of the best of many constellation guidebooks titled Stars and Planets.
Great Atlas of the Stars by Serge Brunier and Akira Fuji (Firefly Books; Willowdale, Ontario; 2001). Contrary to the name, it is not a complete sky atlas but this is a wonderful gallery of wide-angle sky photos with the best targets highlighted with transparent overlays. A fine coffee table book.
Peterson Field Guide to the Stars and Planets by Jay M. Pasachoff (Houghton Mifflin; New York; 2000). One of the best pocket field guides to the stars and constellations.
The Universe and How to See It by Giles Sparrow (Reader's Digest Books; New York; 2001). A lavishly illustrated guide to finding and learning about celestial wonders.
More Advanced Works
Burnham's Celestial Handbook (three volumes) by Robert Burnham Jr. (Dover Publications; New York; 1978). A lifetime's compilation of lore, mythology, poetry, as well as hard science information on all the finest deep-sky objects. A must for any observing library.
Celestial Harvest: 300 Showpieces of the Heavens by James Mullaney (Dover Publications, New York, 2002)
The Deep Sky by Phil Harrington (Sky Publishing; Cambridge, MA; 1997). An experienced observer provides his guide to some of the best deep-sky objects.
Deep-Sky Wonders by Walter Scott Houston (Sky Publishing; Cambridge, MA; 2001). A wonderful collection of writings by the dean of deep-sky observers.
The Night Sky Observer's Guide (two volumes) by George Robert Kepple and Glen W. Sanner (Willmann-Bell; Richmond, VA; 1998). Guides to thousands of objects, with charts, descriptions, photos and sketches. A monumental and essential work.
Messier's Nebulae and Star Clusters by Kenneth Glyn Jones (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 1991). Reprint of the classic 1968 work providing descriptions from Messier and many historic observers for each object.
The Messier Objects by Stephen James O'Meara (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 1998). Finder charts and detailed information for all the Messiers as seen through a small telescope.
The Year-Round Messier Marathon by Harvard C. Pennington (Willmann-Bell; Richmond, VA; 1997). A great guide with charts to all the Messiers, in the order they need to be found for a one-night Messier marathon.
Observing Handbook and Catalogue of Deep-Sky Objects by Christian B. Luginbuhl and Brian A. Skiff (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge; 1990). Excellent descriptions and catalogue information about thousands of objects, from two experienced observers.
Observing Variable Stars by David H. Levy (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 1989). An expert guide to variable star observing.
Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning by Richard Hinckley Allen (Dover Publications; New York; 1963). Authoritative guide to the origin of star names.
Southern Hemisphere Sky Guides
A Walk Through the Southern Sky by Milton D. Heifetz and Wil Tirion (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2000). A good beginner's guide to getting to know the southern stars and constellations.
The Southern Sky Guide by David Ellyard and Wil Tirion (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2001). An excellent and convenient guide for getting to know the southern hemisphere sky, with monthly all-sky maps and detailed atlas charts in southern-sky orientation.
-CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Shooting the Sky I--The Stand-Alone Camera
and
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Shooting the Sky II--Using a Telescope
Many books touted as guides to astrophotography are skimpy or sadly out of date. However, we can recommend these books for learning more about shooting the sky.
Astrophotography: An Introduction to Film an Digital Imaging by H.J.P. Arnold (Firefly Books; Toronto; 2003) This new edition brings this small but very complete book up to date with the latest information on digital and CCD cameras. An excellent one-volume guide.
Astrophotography for the Amateur by Michael Covington (Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; 1999). A guide to all types of imaging, with the emphasis on film-based imaging. Visit the book's website at www.CovingtonInnovations.com/astro
Splendors of the Universe by Terence Dickinson and Jack Newton (Firefly Books, Willowdale, Ontario; 1997). A book-length version of the material covered in Chapters 13 to 15 of Backyard Astronomer's Guide. Includes CCD imaging information from CCD master Jack Newton. Needless to say, we recommend it.
Video Astronomy by Steve Massey, Thomas A. Dobbins, and Eric J Douglas (Sky Publishing; Cambridge, MA; 2000). An excellent guide to shooting video through a telescope.
Wide Field Astrophotography by Robert Reeves (Willmann-Bell; Richmond, VA; 2000). A thorough guide to piggyback photography, with emphasis on film and traditional darkroom techniques.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Shooting the Sky III---The Digital Frontier
While many books promise to be a guide to CCD imaging, most fail miserably, providing only generic and often out-of-date information, or ultra-technical background theory that does little to instruct the reader on the practicalities of using a camera. One exception is...
The New CCD Astronomy by Ron Wodaski (New Astronomy Press, 2002). Visit the book's website at: www.newastro.com
This privately-published book is the most thorough and up-to-date guide to CCD imaging available. A sample chapter is downloadable and the complete book can be ordered on-line here or through various dealers and booksellers. A superb book we highly recommended to all aspiring imagers.
Others we can recommend are...
The Handbook of Astronomical Image Processing By Richard Berry (Willmann-Bell, Richmond, VA; 2001). Teaches image processing techniques and technicalities. Comes with a CD of images and the very capable AIP4WIN Windows software program for running the book's tutorials.
