The Backyard Astronomers Guide By Terence Dickinson

Got the 3rd edition from the library and was sucked in so much I went and got the 4th for myself. It's a huge, thick, hardcover textbook style reference that you're not taking out in the field. But, every section I've dipped in to has completely captured me and it's very easy and fun to read through.

There's a lot of improvement in 4e: it is reorganized to make more sense to the amateur—starting with naked eye sky orientation, then moving to binoculars, before getting into telescopes at all. So right from the start you're out there looking and learning. (3e starts with equipment, which means you go through 100 pages before even talking about the sky). 4e also has this amazing moon tour, which walks through each phase of the moon and what features you can spot. Since the moon is so easy to view, this is immediately gratifying and I've already been able to start spotting and identifying the big maria and craters. 4e is also updated for dates of celestial events and equipment prices. Terence Dickinson For those that wish become a backyard astronomer this is the reference users guide it has advices and recomendations on all the hardware and software to use :optical tubes of diferent kinds ,the best oculars ,montures and indications of how to observe ,where and when;it is beautifully and reallistically illustrated. A gem Terence Dickinson Mandatory book for getting started in astronomy. Terence Dickinson What a great collection of everything you need to know to be an active astronomer. If you are thinking of buying a telescope, then this is your resource. Categories of price range and abilities.
Table of Contents:

Introduction
1. Amateur Astronomy Comes of Age
Part One: Choosing Equipment for the Backyard Astronomer

2. Binoculars for the Beginner and Serious Observer
3. Telescopes for Recreational Astronomy
4. Essential Accessories: Eyepieces and Filters
5. The Backyard Guide 'Accessory Catalog'
6. Using your New Telescope

Part Two: Observing the Celestial Panorama

7. The Naked Eye Sky
8. Observing Conditions: Your Site and Light Pollution
9. Observing the Moon, Sun and Comets
10. Observing the Planets
11. Finding Your Way Around the Sky
12. Exploring the Deep Sky

Part Three: Advanced Tips and Techniques

13. Digital Astrophotography
14. High-Tech Astronomy
15. Polar Alignment, Collimation and Cleaning

The Milky Way Atlas by Glenn LeDrew

Epilogue
Further Reading
Index
The Authors Terence Dickinson Many other reviewers have given high marks to this book. I, too, would sing its praise. The only other book on Astronomy to which I can compare the present work, is Night Watch, which was also authored by Dickinson, one of the co-authors of Guide. That was good. This is better. One of the more important things I learned from both of these books is that one can enjoy the hobby a great deal without necessarily owning a telescope. Much in the heavens can be enjoyed with the naked eye or with binoculars. Recommended! Terence Dickinson

The touchstone for contemporary stargazers.

This classic, groundbreaking guide has been the go-to field guide for both beginning and experienced amateur astronomers for nearly 30 years. The fourth edition brings Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer's invaluable manual completely up-to-date. Setting a new standard for astronomy guides, it will serve as the touchstone for the next generation of stargazers as well as longtime devotees.

Technology and astronomical understanding are evolving at a breathtaking clip, and to reflect the latest information about observing techniques and equipment, this massively revised and expanded edition has been completely rebuilt (an additional 48 pages brings the page count to 416). Illustrated throughout with all-new photographs and star charts, this edition boasts a refreshed design and features five brand-new chapters, including three essential essays on binocular, telescope and Moon tours by renowned astronomy writer Ken Hewitt-White.

With new content on naked-eye sky sights, LED lighting technology, WiFi-enabled telescopes and the latest advances in binoculars, telescopes and other astronomical gear, the fourth edition of The Backyard Astronomer's Guide is sure to become an indispensable reference for all levels of stargazers. New techniques for observing the Sun, the Moon and solar and lunar eclipses are an especially timely addition, given the upcoming solar eclipses in 2023 and 2024. Rounding out these impressive offerings are new sections on dark sky reserves, astro-tourism, modern astrophotography and cellphone astrophotography, making this book an enduring must-have guide for anyone looking to improve his or her astronomical viewing experience.

The Backyard Astronomer's Guide also features a foreword by Dr. Sara Seager, a Canadian-American astrophysicist and planetary scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an internationally recognized expert in the search for exoplanets. The Backyard Astronomers Guide

There is a new 2021 edition of this book and it is AWESOME. Highly recommended for anyone who is interested in learning more about what you are seeing when you gaze at the night sky. Actually, there's info about the daytime sky as well. :) Such a great resource. Terence Dickinson I read the second edition of this guide nearly twenty years ago. It was the best book of its type then and it’s only gotten better! Sky & Telescope blurbs “If you were to own only one book on amateur astronomy this is it.” Highly recommended for sky lovers everywhere. Terence Dickinson Mandatory book for getting started in astronomy. Great for seasoned astronomers with the updates to all the latest equipment and techniques. Terence Dickinson I have an early edition but it is still a good reference. I am thinking about a telescope purchase and it was a good refresher on what to look for. Terence Dickinson Great Terence Dickinson

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