The Backyard Astronomer’s Field Guide: How to Find the Best Objects the Night Sky has to Offer

by David Dickinson

Discover Beautiful Nebulas, Constellations, Deep Sky Objects and More with Your TelescopeDavid Dickinson, co-author of The Universe Today Ultimate Guide to Viewing the Cosmos, has created the ultimate field guide for backyard astronomers. Whether you want to impress viewers at a star party, or learn what you can see with your new telescope, David shows you how to find the most impressive views the night sky has to offer. Broken down by month and by hemisphere to ensure you get the best possible view, David shows you how to find objects like spiral galaxies, stunning sights in the Milky Way and stars that bring the “wow factor” to astronomy. With 44 sky charts and David’s expertise, it’s like having a pro-astronomer out in the field with you.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2020

About the author

David Dickinson was born in Dublin. With an honours degree in Classics from Cambridge, David Dickinson joined the BBC, where he became editor of Newsnight and Panorama, as well as series editor for Monarchy, a three-part programme on the British royal family.

Reviews

[Wyatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

While useful, it was not the introductory field guide I was looking for. It skips over the most basic objects. I would have liked to see an overview of basics, including constellations and major stars.

[Kelly Whitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Dickinson’s book for backyard astronomers is written for all levels in mind. He gives you the scoop on brighter objects but isn’t afraid to go deep and faint for those with big scopes. The layout was particularly helpful; I’m a reader who takes notes and highlights passages, and the spiral-bound copy made this especially easy. I’m looking forward to an observing session under dark skies with my new field guide!

[Mal]

"although claims of an exoplanet orbiting alpha centauri B are controversial, we do know that proxima hosts a planetary companion" Dickenson 72

omgg proxima b?? that's just so silly proxima b wasn't confirmed so that's just really really cute to me. as a future person who knows proxima b exists as a fact it's just super fun hearing in this book when it wasn't confirmed lol