NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe Reviews
December 10, 2010 by Actaphysica
Filed under Physics Book Reviews
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![The Dark Matter & Dark Energy [1/5]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/rLmcbjLVPKc/default.jpg)
Absolutely essential before you purchase a telescope,
This book is outstanding for two people: parents that are considering buying a telescope for their children, and adults that have an interest in becoming an amateur astronomer. This book will allow both groups of people to learn more about not only the stars, planets, and our universe, but to make intelligent decisions on purchases of such things as telescopes, binoculars, software programs, or more reading material.
All too often a parent will buy the “blue light special” telescope for their children, yet the child is quickly frustrated with inferior optics, a wobbly stand, and no knowledge of what to look at and why. This book will allow those parents to grasp the basics of astronomy and therefore teach their children to appreciate the universe. Mr. Dickinson has presented material so that everyone can enjoy the night sky; whether viewed with a telescope, binoculars, or the naked eye.
For those older children or adults, this book will allow them to jump headfirst into astronomy as a lifelong enjoyment. If you want to have only a basic understanding of the celestial bodies, this book is more than enough. But in the last few pages, Mr. Dickinson tells you where to go to find greater resources to further knowledge. Because of his recommendations and my own research, I’ve acquired the following items that I would also like to recommend:
Sky Atlas 2000.0 by Wil Tirion (a great resource for finding objects not usually in the astronomy magazines’ monthly inserts)
The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide by Terence Dickinson (this is a “sequel” to Nightwatch and between these two books, they are used about 80% of the time compared to my other resources)
Turn Left at Orion by Guy Consolmagno (I enjoy using this book to plan an observation session for “old favorites” or as a “highlights tour” for showing to those new to astronomy)
Other resourses that are more in depth that you may want to consider if you become very serious about astronomy:
Burnham’s Celestial Handbook, Volumes 1, 2, & 3
Deep-Sky Companions : The Messier Objects
A subscription to Sky & Telescope or Astronomy
I can’t say enough about Nightwatch. This may be your first, or your “first and last” book on astronomy. But either way, you will enjoy astronomy because of Terence Dickinson’s writing.
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an absolute essenttial for all enthusiasts,
Having recently purchased a telescope, I’ve been reading lots of astronomy books. Even though this one is very basic, overall I’ve found it the most useful. No math, no equations, but tons of helpful advice that will have you up and finding stars right away. I like the fact that he emphasizes how much you can see with binocs too. The star charts are very helpful and are printed so that they can be read by a red light while you’re out observing. Lots of great information on how to buy a telescope too. The bound version is perfect for carrying with you to find objects in the sky. Well written, easy to follow and informative — if you only buy one book, this should be it (although I’d have to add my all time favorite, The Stars by H.A. Ray, the only book that draws the constellations so that they actually look like pictures).
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