Practical Astronomy

by Storm Dunlop

Attractive, clearly written and includes all that a beginner would need to know to get started.
--Popular Astronomy A concise, illustrated guidebook for amateur astronomers. Practical Astronomy covers all the basics amateur astronomers need to know. It explains how to observe, whether with the naked eye, binoculars or a small telescope, and where and when to look. Aspiring astronomers will be able to get outside right away by finding constellations and visible planets before locating more challenging phenomena. The book Practical Astronomy is organized in two Part 1 Beginning Astronomy explains how to navigate the sky by "constellation-hopping," how to use star maps and planispheres, and how to record observations with drawings and photographs. Part 2 Exploring the Sky looks in more detail at all the objects the amateur can view, from aurorae and meteors (shooting stars) to the Moon, Sun, planets and comets, and beyond to stars, nebulae, the Milky Way and other galaxies. Practical Astronomy is an ideal astronomy how-to manual for beginners.

Genres: Science, Astronomy

208 pages, Paperback

First published February 7, 2004

Reviews

[Josée Lepire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ce livre m'a pris beaucoup de temps, puisque je le lisais en parallèle d'autres livres de fiction.
La section sur les cartes du ciel peut devenir lassante si on ne fait pas de la pratique en même temps, car il s'agit d'une énumération assez étourdissante des éléments de la carte du ciel.
Aussi, la section sur les télescopes, les jumelles et la photographie est, selon moi, mal située (première moitié) et mal vulgarisée. Elle parle des caractéristiques pour le choix, sans bien expliquer les éléments de base et devient rapidement très technique.
Par contre, toute la section sur les éléments à observer (lune, planètes, etc), divisées en catégories, est très bien.

Donc un livre correct, mais sûrement pas le meilleur guide d'introduction qui soit.

[Sahil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welp, I’m gonna be spending a lot of money on telescopes, binoculars, and red light pens…heck, I’m inspired to start an initiative to get people to point their security flood lights down and fights the local government to establish a local dark zone.

This book teaches you everything you need to know to speak the language of astronomers in 200 pages!

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic insight into astronomy.... some very technical information, but a lot of simple common sense. There must be better guides out there, but I am only a beginner, so it was pitche at a level apropriate for me.