Philip's Stargazing with a Telescope

Philip's Astronomy

by Robin Scagell

Many people dream about exploring the heavens with a telescope but are often disappointed because they do not know how to use one properly. This guide reveals what to expect from a telescope and how to choose the right one, and gives explanations of how they work, and how to progress from first-time user to hobby observer. It gives practical help for setting up and using any telescope, and provides lists of objects to look at with different sizes of telescope, from both town and country, including the Sun, Moon, planets, comets, asteroids, stars, clusters, variable stars, double stars, novae and supernovae, nebulae and galaxies.

Genres: Astronomy, Reference, Science

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Pete daPixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It must be 30 years back, since I would set up my 70mm refracting telescope in my back garden to stargaze. Actually, most of my time was spent solar system gazing, rather than distant suns. Astronomy always drives the amateur into wanting bigger and better. So my 2nd scope was a Newtonian reflector with a 200mm mirror. The beast was always large and cumbersome and became little used, due to the difficulty of alignment and tracking.
However, the last 20 years has seen equipment leap into the space age with computer controlled scopes and astro photography of deep sky objects made relatively simple, compared to the jiggery pokery of my early forays into the universe.
Phillip's 'Stargazing with a Telescope' by Robin Scagell expunges all my ignorance of the up to date amateur astronomical world. His book was written just for dimbos like me. He talks like an old friend to explain what scopes are available in the 21st century. How to choose the right equipment and how to avoid the many pitfalls, as well as what these optical monsters will and wont do. Everything is covered in this book for the serious sky watcher or the absolute newcomer to the sport. From binoculars, small refractors, Newtonian, Dobsonian, S.C.T's etc., with all the accessories from lenses, filters and advanced gadgets for any anoraks hearts desire.
Scagell is Vice President of the Society for Popular Astronomy based in U.K., but his book is written for both Northern and Southern hemispheres, and has be a 'must read' for anyone considering investing time and monies in pursuit of the heavens.

[Aprilleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The majority of this book is a buying guide and user’s manual of sorts. It explains the various options (including accessories, mounts, and so forth), makes suggestions for choosing among them, explains what to watch out for, and the basics of how to use them. There’s a small section on things to observe, but the main appeal of this volume is the excellent advice it offers to novice astronomers trying to wade through all the available options.

[Mal · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank u screw driver brand for trying to sell me telescopes and only talking about stars from pages 100-140 and a proper chart at page 170.

it was the ONLY stargazing book in my little Australian library and it was only slightly helpful cuz I'm an absolute beginner. this was also way too Northern hemisphere dominant, like I get it, but it like barely mentions the south at all.

this dudes writing also isn't all that great, to formal and not concise enough. it's like old people humor and written for people with nothing in their brain.

slightly helpful tho

[Mike McLean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good introduction to the various types of telescopes and how to use them. Good comparisons on their pros and cons. Also good intro on what to see with some cursory star charts.