Books : NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
List Price: $29.95Price: $11.99 You Save: $17.96 (60%)as of 03/20/2010 11:34 EDT details
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Binding: Spiral-bound
Dewey Decimal Number: 523.80223
EAN: 9781552093023
ISBN: 1552093026
Label: Firefly Books
Manufacturer: Firefly Books
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 176
Publication Date: November 01, 1998
Publisher: Firefly Books
Studio: Firefly Books
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com Review:
The third edition of Nightwatch continues its tradition of being the best handbook for the beginning astronomer. Terence Dickinson covers all the problems beginners face, starting with the fact that the night sky does not look the way a modern city-dweller expects. He discusses light pollution, how to choose binoculars and telescopes, how to pronounce the names of stars and constellations, telescope mounts, averted vision, and why the harvest moon looks especially bright. Most of the lovely photographs in the book were taken by amateurs, which gives the section on astrophotography a particularly inspirational gleam.
Dickinson's star charts are very handy, each covering a reasonable field of view and mapping the most interesting amateur objects. He gives good advice for planet watching, which he notes "is one of the few astronomical activities that can be conducted almost as well from the city as from dark rural locations."
Altogether, the watchword for Nightwatch is indeed "practical"--this is a book to be used, not just read. Spiral-bound to lie flat or to fold back undamaged, it's a field guide that pulls its own weight in the field. Author Timothy Ferris says, "Like a good night sky, Nightwatch is clear and wind-free. Try it and see for yourself." --Mary Ellen Curtin
Product Description:
With 250,000 copies in print since its initial publication in 1983, NightWatch has become a standard reference guide for stargazers throughout North America.
The new Third Edition expands on that success with a completely revised and updated text, more than 100 new color photos and diagrams and 16 additional pages that cover such! new astronomical pursuits as computerized telescopes, reviews of new telescope designs and accessories, and astronomy on the Internet.
All charts, tables and diagrams have been updated and, in some cases, redesigned for easier use. Improved spacecraft measurements of the distances to the stars (recently released by the European Space Agency) are included in the charts, along with additional observing tips for stargazers using binoculars and telescopes. An expanded chapter on Astrophotography lists the best modern films and cameras for skyshooting.
The new NightWatch is faithful to the "ultra-simplified, no jargon" philosophy of the original, and at the same time, offers substantially more practical information for the novice and intermediate-level amateur astronomer. The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada called the first edition "the best of its kind"- the new Third Edition is better still. It is still an abundantly illustrated, wide-sized volume designed for easy reference during many starlit nights.
Average Rating: 
Rating: -
I have over a dozen astronomy books and love my telescopes. This is the one book above all others you must get. Even before you get your first telescope. It has all the important information you will need to pick a telescope and use it. One of the best resources in my library. Get the spiral bound version, this book will be folded open to the star charts for years to come. I have yet to find a better book for beginning astronomers, and even years later I still use it almost every night I'm out using ... Read More
Rating:  -
If you are new to observing or astronomy in general I can not think of a better book. Even if you have a general knowledge of the universe this book has some excellent points of interest for everyone. I would recommend buying this book before you get a telescope or do what I did and buy it with a pair of bino's like Celestron's 15x70 pair. With this combo you can spend many nights under the stars learning and viewing while you prepare to purchase a more expensive piece of equipment.
Rating:  -
The book is pretty, a bunch of pretty pictures, and if you are really new to amateur astronomy, and want a non-electronic reference, then this book is OK. Better yet, give it as a gift to a budding astronomer who is no older than, say, 14 years of age.
But if you want more information, don't get this one, get Dickinson's more comprehensive Backyard Astronomer.
Rating: -
The reviews say it all on this book. It gives you a great analysis of amateur stargazing and telescoping. I found the best thing was the back charts. He includes 20 charts of the constellations and what an amateur stargazer can expect to see within each constellation (what galaxy's, nebulas, binary stars, etc). It was awesomely educational. His comment on the Andromeda galaxy was spot on. I was so disappointed in what I saw the first time I looked at this galaxy cause all it was was a white blob. I was ... Read More
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The photographs and illustrations in this book are absolutely stunning! The images make this book an excellent coffee table book and conversation starter. The charts and stargazing guidelines are relevant through 2018, and the information detailed within breaks events in the sky down to the positioning of constellations at various seasons throughout the year. Perfect beginner book of astronomy! Easy to read and beautiful to page through!
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