Tales of a Three-legged Newt: Essays and Anecdotes for Amateur Astronomers

by Thomas Watson

In his book Mr. Olcott's Skies: An Old Book and a Youthful Obsession, author Thomas Watson explored the origins of his love for the night sky, and how after a nearly thirty year hiatus he returned to the pursuit of amateur astronomy. Tales of a Three-legged Newt is in part the rest of that story, recounting the acquisition of the telescope of boyhood dreams and sharing some of the experiences it brought in the years that followed. It's also a collection of ideas and opinions written for the entertainment of those who share a love for the night sky. This is not a book about how to observe the stars and planets. It's a book about why people do so, from the perspective one amateur star gazer.

151 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2017

About the author

I am a writer living in the Sonoran Desert of the American Southwest, to which I relocated from my childhood home in Illinois. I have a B.S. in plant biology from the University of Arizona, and have in the past worked as a laboratory technician for that institution. Most recently I worked for Steward Observatory, as an inventory coordinator. Among other things, I am also a student of history, natural history, astronomy, and backyard horticulture.

Reviews

[Preston Pendergraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous book. I have read Tom’s other book and really enjoyed it. This one is another winner. My favorite parts were the section from his lunar observing log and his comments about the state of amateur astronomy and what it means to be an amateur astronomer.