Product Description
Dipsy looks through the telescope to see soft furry rabbits, Po's tutu, Tinky Winky's vinyl bag, and other things babies can really touch!Amazon.com Review
One day in Teletubbyland, a telescope appears on one of thesurrealistically green hills many of us have come to recognize. Dipsy,wearing a tangibly furry, black-and-white spotted top hat, looksthrough the telescope and sees rabbits sniffing flowers, Tinky Winkywith a red vinyl bag, Po wearing a tutu-like skirt, and Laa-Laaplaying with her orange rubbery ball. Then, as in all Teletubbyencounters, it's time to say "bye-bye." If your children light up whenthey see Teletubbies on television, they may enjoy seeing them frolicin the pages of this oversized board book as well. And, since kidscan't actually touch the television screen with any satisfyingresults, they may like the novelty of being able to touch objects suchas the textured gauzy skirt, vinyl bag, and rubbery ball. If titleslike this help children make a transition from television to books, somuch the better. By any other measure, however, The MagicTelescope is less than magical. (Baby to preschool) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

It's not a purse. It's European!
Not one of my favorite Tubby books, though being a fan of Dipsy, it's hard to resist (Dipsy looks through the telescope to see soft furry rabbits!!!)

Great touch and feel book
My 18-month-old daughter LOVES this book.Especially the page with the ball on it.Even though it is short, she makes me read it to her over and over again.Actually, I'm pretty glad it is short!LOL

Too short but....
Although this book is very short, shorter than the other TT books, my 1yr old loves the touch and feel sections. The book is physically tough and he "reads" it by himself (...)

too short
This book is way too short. It's only really about 6 pages long. Also, the infamous "bag" is OK with me, other cultures and/or homosexuality don't bother me... but it sticks to the opposite page which makes page turning difficult at times. Overall, I'd say your money is better spent elsewhere unless you have a kid who is crazy about teletubbies (mine really isn't, but then again, my kid's only 8 months old).

We Love This Book!
One day, Dipsy finds a telescope.Who all does he see?All his friends in Teletubbyland, of course!This touch-and-feel book is virtually indestructable!My 18 month old has read and re-read it since Christmas and it still appears brand new."The Majic Telescope" book is very well made and very well written for little ones.With an average of 10 words per open page, this book is able to hold a toddler's interest.The illustrations are wonderful as well, with beautiful bright colors to intrigue children (and maybe even help them learn "red", "green", etc). This book was worth every penny spent! ... Read more

Product Description

The complete guide to buying and using telescopes for stargazers of any age and experience level.

Buying a telescope is crucial for budding astronomers. With so many choices, how does the beginner choose? Robin Scagell supplies expert, objective advice.

Stargazing with a Telescope is a practical guide that demystifies the process of buying and using a telescope. Scagell provides brand names and model numbers and general advice that applies to all brands, not just those covered. Clear color diagrams and non-scientific text explain lens size, focal lengths, focal ratios and much more.

Equipment covered includes:

• Binoculars -- a range of choices for astronomers at any level
• Refractors -- classic telescopes that are easy to use and maintain
• Reflectors -- sophisticated instruments that allow night-sky photography
• Catadioptrics -- compact telescopes that are gaining popularity.

Scagell also covers suitable accessories, such as eyepieces, filters, mounts and supports, and photography through a telescope. He provides useful tips on setting up and using any telescope and reviews objects to observe with different sizes of telescopes.

There is also valuable advice on how to instantly spot misleading labels on low-end telescopes. These are often bought for young astronomers who quickly become discouraged by the telescope's poor performance.

Stargazing with a Telescope is a must for newcomers to astronomy whatever their age.

Customer Reviews (2)

Informative and a great value
When I started thinking (at age 60) of fulfilling my boyhood dreams of stargazing, this was one of the books I purchased, and I have no regrets. It's written extraordinarily well, and anitcipates and addresses nearly all the questions a newbie who is thinking about getting a telescope would ask. Not only the text and the overall layout of the book, but also the backmatter, are extraordinarily helpful.

My only gripe: In the introduction, the author states that the goal is not "to make assumptions about what [we] know already."That approach is fulfilled in about the first half of the book. Thereafter, that notion seems to have been forgotten, or at least was not articulated as well as it was in an earlier chapter.

I'd recommend that the above would be fixed. I'd recommend that the next edition includes a glossary of common and pertinent terms.

Nonetheless, a great book, a very helpful one; and the price is right.

The book got a look!
I bought this for my star gazing hubby. He liked it so well it is dog eared now! ... Read more

Product Description
Handbook for the selection, purchase and use of a Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, for experienced astronomers. Provides tips, hints, and general wisdom on the tricky aspects of using an SCT or Makustov telescope. Softcover. DLC: Schmidt telescopes--Handbooks, manuals, etc. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Choosing and Using a Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope
If you're an SCT (CAT) owner, you definitely need to read Ron Mollise's book. His decades of experience with this telescope will help you in realizing why this is such a capable - and fun - instrument. I've also benefited from a few of his ideas that have paid for the purchase of this book. He takes you from assembling your CAT to astrophotography - great read.

Learning about types of telescopes book
Learning about telescope,how they work ,what you will spend, this is a great first time /review of things you forgot and thing you just didn't know how book.very helpful.

A Great Book--Probably the Best on the Subject
Simple:If you are looking to purchase, use, rent, own, lease, research a telescope, then buy this book.This book is, probably, the best, most concise, and helpful book on the subject of "choosing" and "using" a SC Telescope.No kidding.5/5 stars.

Lot's of Good Info
I am in the market for a new SCT and this book came in handy in helping me make my choice. Having direct access to the author through a user group helped also, which leads me to the only negative remark I have to make...time for a second edition! My the times are changin and there are new scopes which need reviewing and explaining. So please Mr. Mollise, come out with a revised edition! Thanks!!

Excellent resource, covers many aspects of SCT design and use
Rod Mollise is an excellent writer who keeps the reader's attention from cover to cover. This is a good resource to own regardless of your level of expertise or interest level. I enjoy Rod's posts and SCT-USER discussion Group on the Internet and this book is a good extension of his encyclopedic knowledge of all things SCT. ... Read more

Product Description
After the telescope became known in 1608-1609, a number of people in widely separate locations claimed that they had such a device long before the announcement came from The Hague; in the summer of 1608, no one had a telescope, in the summer of 1609, everyone had one. For a number of years author Rolf Willach has quietly tested early spectacle lenses in museums and private collections, and now he reports on this study, which gives an entirely new explanation of the invention of the telescope and solves the conundrum mentioned above. Illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fascinating book for an optics geek
A fair number of people know that in the early seventeenth century Galileo used the newly-invented telescope to revolutionize understanding of the "heavens". Fewer people know that the invention of the telescope is attributed to Johannes (also referred to in other sources as Johann or Hans) Lipperhey (Lippershey in some sources) in 1608. (He was a German by birth, living in the Netherlands by that time.) Fewer yet know that there were other claimants from the same time. As Albert van Helden writes in the introduction, "in the summer of 1608 no one had a telescope, in the summer of 1609, everyone had one". This monograph aims to sort the matter out.

The general idea that two lenses could be used to magnify a distant image appears to have been known long before any usable telescope was built. The problem was that the quality of lenses available couldn't produce a usable image. (A larger, but hopelessly distorted, image wasn't of much interest to anyone.) Willach starts by walking through the development of lenses, from crude "magnifying stones", to magnifying lenses that could be set on text to make it appear larger, to crude spectacle lenses, to spectacle lenses that could be ground to approximately a user's needs.

Willach, an optical engineer, actually tested the optical quality of many spectacle lenses that have survived in good enough condition to test. If you are not sufficiently into optics to enjoy reviewing pages of Ronchi tests on lenses, this may not be the book for you. But the bottom line is that spectacle lenses of the time often had good optical quality near their center, but were much degraded near the edges. As such they were fine for spectacles, as people using them would look through the center of the lens when trying read or examine small features. But as telescope objective lenses they would be terrible.

It turns out that the great invention of Lipperhey (or Lippershey) was to place a mask over the objective lens so that only the central, "good", part of the lens was used. Doing so resulted in a usable telescope. But it was also an invention that would be obvious to anyone examining the telescope, so others quickly claimed to have done it first. There is, however, no convincing evidence to deny Lipperhey precedence.

The eventual solution, of course, came in learning to grind lenses that are of good optical quality to their edges. But it was Lipperhey who made telescopes real, and set off a chain of improvements.

The only reservation I have in recommending this book is that it is written at a level that assumes an understanding of optics theory. Someone very interested in the invention of the telescope but without an optics background might enjoy this monograph even if they have to skip over parts of it.

The Long Route to the Invention of the Telescope by Rolf Willach
Willach seeks to answer a question - why did it take from about 1185 when spectacles first appeared until 1608 or thereabouts for the first telescopes to be made?The answer takes us on an interesting tour of reliquary artwork, glass making, and lens grinding.Spectacle lenses, it turns out, generally are not suitable as telescope objectives.Willach tested the ones he was able to find (and which hadn't devitrified owing to poor glass composition), and bolstered this conclusion.How, then, would one hope to make a telescope from them?The answer might surprise you. ... Read more

Product Description
In The Mirror, the Window, and the Telescope, Samuel Y. Edgerton brings fresh insight to a subject of perennial interest to the history of art and science in the West-the birth of linear perspective. Edgerton retells the fascinating story of how perspective emerged in early fifteenth-century Florence, growing out of an artistic and religious context in which devout Christians longed for divine presence in their daily lives. And yet, ironically, its discovery would have a profound effect not only on the history of art but on the history of science and technology, ultimately undermining the very medieval Christian cosmic view that gave rise to it in the first place.

Among Edgerton's cast of characters is Filippo Brunelleschi, who first demonstrated how a familiar object could be painted in a picture exactly as it appeared in a mirror reflection. Brunelleschi communicated the principles of this new perspective to his artist friends Donatello, Masaccio, Masolino, and Fra Angelico. But it was the humanist scholar Leon Battista Alberti who codified Brunelleschi's perspective rules into a simple formula that even mathematically disadvantaged artists could understand. By looking through a window the geometric beauties of this world were revealed without the theological implications of a mirror reflection. Alberti's treatise, "On Painting," spread the new concept throughout Italy and transalpine Europe, even influencing later scientists including Galileo Galilei. In fact, it was Galileo's telescope, called at the time a "perspective tube," that revealed the earth to be not a mirror reflection of the heavens, as Brunelleschi had advocated, but just the other way around.

Building on the knowledge he has accumulated over his distinguished career, Edgerton has written the definitive, up-to-date work on linear perspective, showing how this simple artistic tool did indeed change our present vision of the universe. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Seeing what we can't see
Lots of beautiful photographs of the universe.Well worth having if you're into astronomy or just being a sky-gazer.

Great Pictures
There is some amazing pictures in this book.The pictures are large,and they are very clear.If you like viewing pictures from space this is the book to get.Looking at all those galaxies,you imagine what it would be like to be able to travel to them.You would have to assume out there that there is life,but whether there is intelligent life is the real question.I examine these pictures and you get amazed at the colours and complexity some have.I have never realy believed in the big bang theory.I watched Cosmos and it was a great series.But to have all started with a big bang makes no sense.My theory is this,when you push water you see the water turning in different directions,round twisters develope.Now every galaxy is basicly round,and most with a noticable tail.The same sort of tail you see in the water with the twisters.They go everywhere in the water,and when we look at pictures in space,it seems a mess of galaxies,but they are all turning.Why are they turning if it started with a bang,it would be scattered everywhere,there is no way they could form round galaxies from a big bang.Basic principles are at work here,back when Jesus walked they thought the world was flat.He would of had difficulties explaining such things to the people of the day.Our world is round,the solar system is round,the galaxy is round why then is it unfair to assume the universe is round,or at least those principles with the water are at work.Also the front cover has the 2 galaxies about to collide,or at least thats what it says on page 12 about it.However i believe these 2 galaxies are nowhere near each other.If you look at the one on the right it has a black tail over it from the galaxy on the left.You would not see that black tail if that galaxy was not under it.You see there is the clue,the black tail is over it.The one on the right also looks more faded.If you looked at it from a side view,you may see the distance between them could be vast.You see i think that thy rarely if ever collide,the same principles are at work here as they do with our planets turning,but they do not collide.But it certainly is a debatable picture.You can develope all sorts of theories from these pictures.It also has some great ones from the planets in the solar system.

There's sooooo much more to life than just our puny planet...
...

Came across this book three months ago and have not put it down since. EVERY picture is a work of art in itself! The mind boggles while viewing just one image and to realize that what you're actually looking at is millions and millions of worlds. You realize that there is no end to space, but the moment you realize it, it fades away in your mind and you're amazed all over again and wonder how something cannot have an end.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever looked at the sky (day or night) and wondered what else there might be behind our sky.
The pictures are stunning and the text explains clearly the times leading up to the Hubble Telescope's launch and workings since. ... Read more

Product Description

The Sun provides amateur astronomers with one of the few opportunities for daytime astronomy.

In order to see the major features of our nearest star, special telescopes that have a very narrow visible bandwidth are essential. The bandwidth has to be as narrow as 1 × 10^-10 m (1 Angstrom) and centred on the absorption line of neutral hydrogen. This makes many major features of the Sun’s chromosphere visible to the observer. Such narrow-band "Fabry-Perot etalon filters" are high technology, and until the introduction of the Coronado range of solar telescopes, were too expensive for amateur use. The entry-level Coronado telescope, the PST (Personal Solar Telescope) costs under $500.

Solar prominences (vast columns of plasma, best seen at the edge of the solar disk), filaments, flares, sunspots, plage and active regions are all visible and can be imaged to produce spectacular solar photographs. Philip Pugh has assembled a team of contributors who show just how much solar work can be done with Coronado telescopes, and explain how to get the best from these marvellous instruments.

Customer Reviews (5)

Observing the Sun with Coronado Telescopes
I loved that this was a brand new book, but it got here a week late, which was quite disappointing. By the time I got it, I didn't even need the book anymore.

A decent refence guide
I just purchased a "double-stacked" MaxScope 40 and was looking for tips on how to tune it and the interaction between the two filters, but I couldn't find that type of practical information in the book. The book does have a page on double-stacking, but says nothing about which filter to tune first and what to look for when tuning the filter. Also, since chapters are written by different people, it seems that the same information is repeated several times throughout the book, especially in the accessories section for each. Additionally, as was pointed out in another review, a new manufacturer named Lunt is directly competing with Coronado. Until this book may be revised to include that new line of scopes, it really isn't a complete guide to what you can get. So, I recommend this book as a reference, but was a bit disappointed by the lack of certain types practical information in using the scope.

Observing the sun
If you are interested in observing the sun other than in white light, ie, hydrogen alpha or CaK, I would recommend this book as a reference. Hydrogen alpha observing allows you to see more of the sun than sunspots. Prominences, solar flares and much more. The hydrogen alpha telescopes and filters block out all the wavelengths of light except the one emitted by the alpha emission line from the hydrogen spectrum. In addition to the etalon (part that filters wavelength), there is also a blocking filter to block dangerous ultraviolet and infrared light.

This book deals mostly with the Coronado PST (Personal Solar Telescope). However it also discusses other larger aperture Coronado solar telescopes plus filters that can be used with a regular "nighttime" telescope. There is a wealth of information about solar viewing and many nice photos. A few other brands of solar telescope and filters are also discussed. There is a lot of information about ways of observing the sun, how the sun "works", what you are seeing. The book also has a chapter on imaging the sun.

The book was published before Lunt Solar Systems was founded so there is no information on their solar equipment.

Recommended as a good reference for solar observing and imaging.

When it comes from the best, expect no less!
For those looking to get into, or already into, solar observing or imaging, this book is a must. The contributors are extremely knowledgeable and it's written in a way even a neophyte observer like myself was able to understand and gain valuable information. A great addition to any library! Stephen Ames

The Only One in Town!
Since this it the only book of its type I know of, it's hard to make comparisons.I wish there had been more on the entry level Coronado solar scope, but the information and photographs were of interest nevertheless. Certainly worth reading (and viewing) for the information it contains.Sincethe sun is the only star we can view up close, it's an interesting area of observation.Being able to go beyond viewing sunspots through the usual sun filter is a definite plus.However, seeing flares and other solar details takes patience and practice and when the sun is relatively quiescent they're not always obvious!This book does encourage working at it. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Very detailed but buy a good map or atlas too
This detailed day by day description of the moon will keep you busy observing for hours.The book lacks a photograph or map to correspond to each day so I found it difficult to find what was being described until I purchased Sky and Telescope's Field Map of the Moon.Together this is a great combination and saves me from having to page between the text and photos.

Those just starting out or looking for something lighter should consider Discover the Moon by Jean Lacroux.While not as detailed as the above it does offer day bay day photos (oriented for both refractor and reflectors) of each phase as well as close ups of interesting formations.

A Thorough Tour of the Moon and a Trip back in Time
I bought this book looking for a map of the Moon to help me locate the 100 items that are listed by the Astronomical League in their observing club 'Lunar Observers'.

I found it to be very useful for completing that task, but it was much more than a simple set of maps. Every night in the lunar cycle is described in detail as to what you can see in relation to the other items. I spent the first two weeks using the daily chapters to find 97 of the items listed and ended up seeing a good deal more that was not on my list either.

This is really a good system for learning your way around the Moon, and the author talks about the scientific significance of a number of items and how they relate to our understanding of how the Moon formed.

This book was written in the early 1960s (shortly before men walked on the Moon) and there is a real excitement about the discoveries being made at the time. I thought the chapter on the Ranger Moon probes was a real plus, and it was fun to re-live this golden days of Lunar exploration and get caught up again in the excitement of that heady time.

Day by day lunar observing
I loved this book the very first time I used it. It has a chapter for each day of the moon: 1-28. I observed the moon on day 8 and with this book spent several enjoyable hours. Without a map (get a good one) and a book like Cherrington's looking at the moon is a five minute experience. It still amazes me how much I can see when I have a guide that tells me what to see and what I'm seeing.

One of the best...
I am a dedicated lunar observer for the past three years. I am moving from merely observing to photographing and sketching. Not too long ago I moved up from a 4.5" reflector to a 5" f/9 refractor, though I still use the marginal mount from my 4.5" reflector right now. I hope to one day publish a lunar atlas. Anyhow, this book while old is one of the best, just for the gazetteer it is worth the price. The writing is easy to understand, even for the layperson.

Good Old Book
I bought this book and I did not know it was written in 1964. Even though it has been revised in 1984, the lay-out is not what you would expect from books nowadays. Nevertheless, the content is good. There are lots of photosshot from divers probes sent around the moon and the author guides yourjourney extensively on the moon day by day, describing craters, seas,swamps and moutain ranges. I find this book an ideal complement to the"Atlas of the Moon" by A. Ruckle which still remains thereference in terms of selenial cartography. You can go through the text ofthis book and follow up on maps from Ruckle's book or even beter with yourtelescope. ... Read more

Product Description
Based on field notes made by Michael Covington throughout his career as an amateur astronomer, this guide covers both the traditional and novel approaches to studying the night sky. In addition to the more standard techniques, it discusses the latest modern resources available to today's astronomer, such as personal computers, the internet, and computerized telescopes. Covington includes practical advice on site selection and weather; detailed instructions for observing the Sun, Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects; and newer specialities such as satellite observing and the use of astronomical databases. Written to complement How to Use a Computerized Telescope, this book appeals to astronomers with more traditional equipment.Michael A. Covington is an associate research scientist at the University of Georgia.He is a computational linguist trained in the computer processing of human languages and the computer modeling of human logical reasoning, and a widely recognized expert on the Prolog programming language.He is the author of nine books including Dictionary of Computer and Internet Terms, Seventh Edition (Barron's, 2000), Astrophotography for the Amateur (Cambridge, 1999), PROLOG Programming in Depth (Simon & Schuster, 1996), Cambridge Eclipse Photography Guide (1993), and Syntactic Theory in the High Middle Ages (Cambridge, 1985). A senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Covington is a Contributing Editor to, and former "Q&A" columnist of Poptronics magazine. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Just "Very Good" , notPerfect!
I have been buying alot of astronomy and telescope books of late--primarily to augment my new telescope. This is one of the better ones , since it is really much more substantive than the "cheerleading" books that are more useful at gracing the coffee table than the accessory tray of a telescope in use. The major plus feature for me is the format of the illustrations , which show the objects through a mirror type diagonal. Most , if not all , observations by amateur astronomers use this convention these days. The author goes into adequate detail on double star observing : measurement of position angle and seperationare very well explained.

My only criticism is the assumption that all users will be using computerized telescopes , and completely ignores those of us who "star hop" by choice , and not necessity. The lack of star hopping descriptions downgrades my rating to a strong 4 stars.

Highly recommended.

I've got a "Go To" scope, now what?
Looking for objects to look at with your computerized "Go To" telescope? Michael Covington, author of "Astrophotography for the Amateur" and "How to Use a Computerized Telescope" has a few suggestions. In this second volume of Cambridge's Practical Amateur Astronomy series he suggests various targets and observing programs. But that is not all. Also are tips on how to get the most out of various sources to identify the object of interest from various catalogs or atlases and to be able to tell a "Go To" telescope how to point to it. Probably the most useful pages in the book are the Bayer/Flamsteed to SAO cross-index and the GVCS constellation codes and star numbers.

Chapters:
PART I - Amatuer astronomy
1. Using this book effectively
2. Observing sites and conditions
3. The Moon, the Sun, and eclipses
4. The planets
5. Comets, asteroids (minor planets), and artificial satellites
6. Constellations
7. Stars - identification, nomenclature, and maps
8. Stars - physical properties
9. Double and multiple stars
10. Variable stars
11. Clusters, nebulae, and galaxies
PART II - 200 interesting stars and deep-sky objects
12. How these objects were chosen
13. The January-February sky (R.A. 6h-10h)
14. The March-April sky (R.A. 10h-14h)
15. The May-June sky (R.A. 14h-18h)
16. The July-August sky (R.A. 18h-22h)
17. The September-October sky (R.A. 22h-2h)
18. The November-December sky (R.A. 2h-6h)
Appendices
A. Converting decimal minutes to seconds
B. Precession from 1950 to 2000
C. Julian date, 2001-2015

The logical follow up for "How to Use a Computerized Telescope", this volume shows one how to use the various sources available to find the objects one is interested in studying. If I had this book when I first bought my LX200, I would have developed better habits in planning my observing sessions by being able to identify objects in the manner that the telescope has them identified in its database to find them quicker to allow more time for study and or imaging. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Best beginner's book on telescope making. Period
I ordered a copy of this book over 30 years ago as a high-school student in New Zealand and have built three telescopes using it (4.5", 6" and 12.5"). It's considered by many (including myself) to be the "bible" of telescope making for anyone who is a beginner or intermediate in telescope making. Plus it has loads of invaluable information on many astronomical topics, such as astro-photography, observing hints, star coordinates, eyepieces, and several examples of telescopes to build. I bought a new copy recently from Edmund Scientifics but I still have the old tatty original. Sam Brown was a genius.

Five stars all around
This has got to be the best all-around book on telescopes and astronomy ever written.It covers everything from the very basics to fairly advanced optics, mirror grinding and telescope construction.I bought my first copy back in 1969 when I was a junior in high school.I have worn out two copies and was ecstatic when I found it was back in print.Bought my third copy immediately.I still use it on a regular basis and would recommend it to anyone at any level of expertise.

Forty years and the text is still going strong
Original copy purchased in 60's.I used this to help build my first telscope in high school.I lived on a farm a hundred miles from anyone with the same interest.Enough information to get me through that stage of timidy.That copy has since moldered away on some forgotton book shelf.

In the seventies I purchased another copy which I still have.After doing undergrad, graduate school and a degree in physics.I have since ground and assemble several scopes some using information from this copy.It is taped, burned and falling apart but I use it as a reference for the groups I work with on Kitt Peak.There is enough data there to keep the average Advanced Amateur going for years.Just explaining sideral, solar mean time, and local will keep the conversation going with most educated Amateur Astronomiers.

A truly great guide for the beginner and pro alike
This was my first book about building telescopes. My dad gave it to me in the early 1970's with my first telescope kit. Published and sold by Edmunds Scientific in Barrington, NJ. This superbly illustrated book describes in detail the steps necessary to make your own telescope or how to use the completed telescope that you bought.

This work features telescopes and kits sold by Edmunds Scientifics, however the principles ennunciated apply to almost all telescopes.

All about telescopes has a decidedly 1960's flavor, however the material is truly timeless. It is a worthy addition to any telescope maker or amateur astronomer's library. I highly recommend it.

Francis J. O'Reilly

Excellent Book For Beginners
This book has to be the best and most illustrative book for the beginning mirror and telescope maker. I was given a copy by my wife's uncle 30 years ago and though it's been through the wringer, stained with cat urine (when a friend borrowed it), for instance, I still have it. It is not for the advanced mirror maker, but for any beginner, you can't go wrong, despite some erroneous information, as one other reviewer pointed out. However, it is the first book that laid out a table of how to figure a mirror's correction by its focal length if left spherical. It clearly illustrates how the focal length can affect the depth and need for a paraboloid. For those wishing to get by with a spherical mirror, just make sure the focal length is long enough that the correction would be at least 1/4 wave. For a 3" mirror, for instance, it would be an f/9 or so, if I remember right. However, as another reviewer pointed out, the way they rated 1/4 wave was not quite accurate so it would be better to go for what he says is 1/8 wave to be safe. However, if you have an 8" or 10" mirror or larger, the focal ratio would have to be f/12 or higher and your tube would be ten to fifteen feet long! (Excuse my fuzzy memory on exact details, but it should give you the picture.)

There are sections on mounts, finders, eyepieces, and even observing. Though mostly outdated, this info could still apply even today.

I love this book for its simplicity and excellent illustrations. Today, it might be titled "Telescope Making For Dummies." Highly recommended.


... Read more

Product Description
Almost a half-century after is completion, the 200-inch Palomar telescope remains an unparalleled combination of vast scale and microscope detail. As huge as the Patheon of Rome and as heavy as the Statue of Liberty, this magnificent instrument is so precisely built that its seventeen-foot mirror was hand-polished to a tolerance of 2/1,000,000 of an inch. The telescope's construction drove some to the brink of madness, made others fearful that mortals might glimpse heaven, and transfixed an entire nation. Ronald Florence weaves into his account of the creation of "the prefect machine" a stirring chronicle of ht birth of Big Science and a poignant rendering of an America mired in the depression yet reaching for the stars. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Just the history of the telescope
I had hoped for a better discussion of the engineering behind the telescope.It's clear that the building of this telescope was a tedious process and so was the reading of this book. This book provides excruciating detail to the historical events behind the telescope, but not nearly enough about the engineering hurdles and the creative solutions developed to overcome them.I also would have loved a nice, detailed drawing of the entire telescope showing some of the parts he's talking about and how they're assembled.

Needs more drawings
The book is well researched and documented.
I found the writing captivatingonly in some parts, while other parts were a bit dry.
Overall a good book that in my opinion has 2 flaws:

- The explanation of the working of the telescope and its technological improvements are quite difficult to understand without a visual aid. Some drawings are needed and should be included along with the descriptions. This would not be a difficult thing to do and is the major flaw of the book.
It is very hard for people not experienced in telescopes to grasp the challenges the engineers had to overcome.

- One third of the book is dedicated to the mirror manufacturing, from GE to Corning. While the mirror is the most important part of the equipment, the description of the construction of the glass is too long and filled with uninteresting details and after a while becomes a little boring.

One last note regards the book paper quality. The paper is superb and the thickness of the pages convey a very good sensation.

The angels are in the details
This book is a comprehensive treatment of the course of events that led up to the building of the two hundred inch telescope on Mt. Palomar. It is very lengthy, well documented and from what I can tell, exceptionally accurate.

It details the political, financial, engineering and manufacturing challenges that were encountered by a fascinating cast of characters, virtually all of whom have now left us, and how they met them in oprder to provide the world with what is arguably the single most productive scientific instrument ever created.

It is not easy reading however and should be approached at a slow pace in order to fully comprehend all that is put forth. The persons depicted are treated not only as scientists and engineers, but also as people with families and interests outside of astronomy.

I really enjoyed this book and I consider it among my most treasured literary possessions.

Francis J. O'Reilly

A Definitive "Biography" of Palomar Observatory
Those fortunate enough to have visited or worked at Palomar Observatory are well aware of the grandeur of this structure and enterprise. When I first visited, I was struck by the temple-like beauty of this structure, a stunning white hemispheric dome atop a columnar and monolithic base, framed by the stunning clear blue sky atop Palomar Mountain. This is one of those places that lowers voices and stops speech altogether. It is also one of those rare places of great scientific achievement accessible to the public. I sat inside and looked at the telescope (with liquid nitrogen cooled CCD cameras and spectroscopes at the various focal points), the incredible horseshoe mount and the stunning dome for 2 h, transfixed by all that I saw. I wanted to know more, but did not know where to look. This book, The Perfect Machine, is the definitive resource on the greatest publicly accessible visible light telescope observatory in the world, Mount Palomar Observatory. The context in which the observatory was conceived by the brilliant and underappreciated genius George Ellery Hale, the manner in which funding was obtained and maintained, the many innovators that gave their best and what this entailed..., the fascinating and, of course, occasionally quirky/antagonistic scientific and administrative personalities involved..., all are described in illuminating and engaging detail by Ronald Florence. This is one of the best descriptions of scientific and technical innovation "on the ground" ever written.

This project was conceived in general terms nearly 40 years before "first light" the time at which the first images of objects in the night sky are obtained. That it reached completion is a testament to all of those involved as well as to the momentum to accomplish provided by ongoing financial support. The Hubble telescope had a similar gestation, as superbly described in Robert Zimmerman's more recent book, The Universe In a Mirror.

Reading The Perfect Machine with the web to amplify the text further enriches the experience. For example, it is possible to obtain good copies of the amazing Russell Porter drawings from a Cal Tech archive.

The book reads exceptionally well. The author has a gift for conveying often daunting details in a manner that "meets the reader", yet provides enough detailed information to keep the more technically sophisticated engaged. This is a rare accomplishment in my reading experience.

Read the book. Then, if you get the chance, go visit Palomar again or for the first time with the ability to appreciate what you are seeing and what specific people did to make such a great structure/enterprise happen.

Now if Mr. Florence could be talked into writing a biography of Mr. Hale..., that would be something.

Perfect book
Probably one of the best books I have ever read. Written with just enough detail to be incredibly interesting, but not enough so your eyes glaze over. An absolute must read if you are intrigued by great acomplishments designed by man and learning how they were built. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

A must-have for binocular buffs
This is a great book. The author starts off by reciting what to look for in a good pair of binoculars, the most relaxing ways to view, and what advantages binocs have (besides using both eyes to view and having a wider FOV.) The maps are excellent in their detail (but you do need some rudimentary knowledge of the constellation figures), and they show up well at night under a red light. The target objects are organized by seasons of the year, with the most being visible Jun-Aug. This book will keep you entertained & hunting for those elusive objects & appreciating them in a new light.

Good binocular viewing. worth the price
I'm an amateur astronomer of over 40 years. I have a 20 inch Obsession scope but use binoculars as a back up and to have fun sometimes rather than bringing the heavy Obsession out. Astronomy binocular viewing is just plain fun. Some objects like the 7 sisters Pleiades actually look better in the binos than in the scope.

I bought Binocular Highlights 99 for my Celestron 25X100 binos and tripod. The book is well laid out into the different seasons. It is good for about the 30 degree north of the equator.

With my Sky Six planetarium software on my laptop in conjunction with the Binocular Highlights book I was easily able to find almost all thebook listedinteresting objects for June to August. I really liked some of the clusters I was able to easily find using the book.

I have not had the time yet to view the sky other months using the book so I wont comment on those months.

It was nice that the author took the time to tell novices how to scan and use binoculars. He recommends smaller binos than I have so they can be hand held vs having to use a tripod.

Read the book first before you buy expensive binoculars. That way you can decide if a smaller lighter pair of binoculars would suit you better for hand holding or if you want to pay extra for a heavy pair of binoculars you will need a tripod for.I really like my Celestron 25x100 binos but they are very heavy and you must use a tripod. You may want a lighter pair.

The book Binocular Highlights 99 Celestial Sights for me was worth the money and useful. Big plus for me... Astronomy binocular viewing with the book is quick setup fun.4 stars.

Not suitable for those in southern hemisphere
I believe this book is great for those in northern hemisphere, but I live in Indonesia, and this book is not suitable for me since there's no mention of wonderful DSO of southern hemisphere like those in Carina, Crux, Centaurus, Tucana, and Dorado.
It's a bit strange that the book doesn't mention of M7 and M6 in Scorpius. I believe that M7 is one the finest DSO in the sky, but how come M7 didn't make it on the 99 list?

Caution: For 30-50 degree latitudes
Careful if you live outside the recommended latitudes for using this book, it is not mentioned in the description either. For folks living in Hawaii (myself included), we are out of the latitudes for this book. Item is being sent back.

Great for leisurely sky gazing.
I originally gave this a 1 star review because it took nearly 5 months after ordering from Amazon before I received it.

It is a nicely done book for locating binocular objects.The charts make it easy to find even somewhat difficult objects and the text is descriptive, written so even beginners will understand.

I also have 'S&T's Pocket Sky Atlas' which is much more detailed, with better charts.But that book is geared toward use with a telescope. On nights when I don't want to drag out and set up my bulky Schmidt Cassegrain telescope, I will take my binoculars, this book, a red flashlight (see my review of the Astronomy Flashlight), some refreshments, and lay in the lawn chair in my back yard; gazing at the darkened sky. Very relaxing and educational.

The book is too large to fit a pocket, but will fit in most backpacks. The pages appear to have the same 'anti dew' treatment as the Pocket Sky Atlas.The spiral binding allows the book to lay flat when opened. One reviewer states they use this book for locating planets, but the book does not include planets.Putting planets in the charts is impossible since planets are moving objects (you will not find meteors, asteroids or comets charted, for the same reason).My only criticism is that I would like the charts to be a little larger.

I recommend it for the budding astronomer as well as those with years of experience (like me), or anyone who enjoys the heavenly wonders. ... Read more

Product Description
How did the universe begin? How big is it? What is it made of? What is its ultimate fate? These are some of the questions that scientists have been investigating with the Hubble Space Telescope since its launch in 1990. Not only is Hubble providing us with an unprecedented amount of information about the universe, but its breathtaking images-disseminated in the press and over the Internet-have excited more people around the world than any other images made in the last decade.

This fabulous, poster-size paperback on Hubble's dramatic discoveries-prepared to accompany a major Smithsonian Institution exhibition that will travel across the United States for several years-presents the awesome Hubble images of nebulae, emerging stars, and other celestial phenomena that have electrified us all. Far more affordably priced than previous Hubble books-and the first one prepared by the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), which operates the telescope for NASA-this dramatic and beautiful work lets readers shoot for the stars.

MARK VOIT is an astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) who specializes in bringing Hubble's spectacular findings to worldwide audiences. He is co-author of The Cosmic Perspective, a popular college-level introductory astronomy textbook.

110 illustrations, 104 in full color, 101/2 x 145/8"Amazon.com Review
In April 1990, the space shuttle Discovery carried the Hubble Space Telescope to an altitude of some 600 kilometers above the Earth, where ithas since been delivering images of the distant heavens to scientistsbelow. Despite disappointing early results--the telescope's mirror andcamera were revealed to have significant flaws, which were quicklyrepaired--Hubble has yielded extraordinary views, including stunning imagesof the birth, death, and occasional misfortunes of stars and close-updetails of our planetary neighbors (such as views of the retreating Martian polar ice cap throughout the summer, exposing the greatsand dunes that lie beneath, and of a Neptune beset by upper-atmosphericstorms).

Hubble's work has been an important adjunct to other astronomical research,allowing scientists, for one thing, to age-date star clusters far beyond ourown galaxy and to propose an age for the universe of about 12 billion to 16 billion years. It has also inspired lay readers with its trove of magnificentphotographs, of which this book gathers more than 100 taken over Hubble's years of duty. (NASA plans to replace Hubble with a larger successor in 2009.) The images are accompanied with a well-written explanatory text, altogether adding up to a volume that rewards repeated visits by readers of all ages. --Gregory McNamee ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Good but not great
This is a good book of hubble shots but not what I was hoping to find. I think Cosmos book put out recently has better pics than this does. It does give information and stuf in it but it isn't all that comprehensive.

Just an FYI
The book comes in two-versions.One is a paperback and the other is a hardback, which I own.I would definately call the hardback a coffee table book.Large format photos, in a book that opens nicely for great viewing

Disappointing
The layout of the book was disappointing. Instead of being a coffee table book containing mostly the latest, prettiest photos, much space was wasted on perfunctory texts containing little new information to space buffs, and the layout of the pictures was poorly judged, in my opinion, with several oddly-angled pictures splayed across the pages. There were too few large-scale photos, and most had been published in popular magazines.

Hubble Space Telescope: New Views of the Universe
This is a lovely collection of the best of the Hubble photographs that had been done at the time of publication.Although they have been seen many times, and in many different formats, this book puts them all together in one place.It's too bad that some of the more recent spectacular Hubble shots weren't included, but the author's deadline was probably the culprit; it wasn't as a result of deliberate omission.This is, perhaps, a "coffee table book", but unlike most books that fall into that category, this one is paperback and very affordable.I can't wait for Mark Voit to do a Volume 2!

A Must for School Libraries!
While this book is not a comprehensive account of everything the Hubble Telescope has revealed to us, it is a wonderful and quite inexpensive book, which belongs in the astronomy section of every school library in the country.The text is clear and concise, and the quality of the photographic reproductions is absolutely top-notch.What I love about the book the most, however, is how well it gives the reader a sense for the absolute vastness of space. ... Read more

Product Description
This book assembles for the first time in a single text the full range of astronomical and engineering principles used in the design and construction of large telescopes. It aims to cover all aspects of the field, from the fundamentals of astronomical observation to optics, control systems, and structural, mechanical, and thermal engineering, as well as such specialized topics as site selection and program management. The book is the result of the collaboration of many leading astronomers, engineers, and project managers. Their contributions have been edited to provide a consistent approach and treatment: for example, ground- and space-based telescopes are treated from a common perspective.
Topics covered include:
- Design Methods and Project Management
- Telescope Optics
- Stray Light Control
- Structure and Mechanisms
- Pointing and Control
- Active and Adaptive Optics
- Thermal Control
- Integration and Verification
- Observatory Enclosure and Siting ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent book on large telescopes
Since I work for a privately held observatory engaged in the construction of a new telescope and facility, this book is extremely useful.I have found its treatment of all the subjects related to large telescopes very helpful and just the right level of depth for my situation. ... Read more

Product Description
Learn to unleash the awesome power of your telescope and take a fascinating tour of the Universe Astronomer Gregory Matloff introduces you to all the fun and excitement of astronomy by helping you to discover the full potential of any telescope. Packed with dozens of fun and easy stargazing projects and activities. Telescope Power doesn’t just tell you about all the beauty and mystery of the stars but lets you see it all for yourself! You begin your tour of the Universe by setting your sights on nearby neighbors in our Solar System. You’ll hunt for blue lunar flashes, spot lunar landing sites, and use color filters to observe the changing seasons on Mars and the spectacular rings of Saturn. From there, it’s off to more distant stars. You’ll learn how to read a star atlas and identify the various constellations: locate binary stars Mizar and Alcor; use a finder chart to observe the beautiful Globular Cluster M-13 and the Ring Nebula Lyra: visit the Great Spiral Galaxy in Andromeda (twin sister to our own Milky Way Galaxy); and a lot more. You’ll also learn about the different types of telescopes and how they work; how to set up your telescope; the "care and feeding" of telescopes; the best accessories to try, including different eyepieces, filters, clock drives, and star wheels; and how to share your experiences with other young astronomers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Lot of information, too confusing for kids!
This is a great book full of pictures and a ton of information.However, there is so much info that it overwhelmed my son.It is layed out with several tidbits of info spread all over the pages.Although interesting, it was too complicated for children.Would recommend this book for kids over 13.Definately worth getting if you want an introduction to using telescopes and space but it should be for the older teens and adults.I do plan on keeping this book as I think it will provide a lot of good information when he is older.Until then it will be on the shelf waiting to be rediscovered! ... Read more

Product Description

The Dutch telescope and the Italian scientist Galileo have long enjoyed a durable connection in the popular mind--so much so that it seems this simple glass instrument transformed a rather modest middle-aged scholar into the bold icon of the Copernican Revolution. And yet the extraordinary speed with which the telescope changed the course of Galileo's life and early modern astronomy obscures the astronomer's own curiously delayed encounter with the instrument. This book considers the lapse between the telescope's creation in The Hague in 1608 and Galileo's alleged acquaintance with such news ten months later. In an inquiry into scientific and cultural history, Eileen Reeves explores two fundamental questions of intellectual accountability: what did Galileo know of the invention of the telescope, and when did he know it?

The record suggests that Galileo, like several of his peers, initially misunderstood the basic design of the telescope. In seeking to explain the gap between the telescope's emergence and the alleged date of the astronomer's acquaintance with it, Reeves explores how and why information about the telescope was transmitted, suppressed, or misconstrued in the process. Her revised version of events, rejecting the usual explanations of silence and idleness, is a revealing account of the role that misprision, error, and preconception play in the advancement of science.

Along the way, Reeves offers a revised chronology of Galileo's life in a critical period and, more generally, shows how documents typically outside the scope of early modern natural philosophy--medieval romances, travel literature, and idle speculations--relate to two crucial events in the history of science.

Customer Reviews (2)

Galileo's Glassworks
Not meant for those who want a systematic exposition of the technical development of the telescope. It is, however, a fascinating, detailed, deeply researched and novel approach to the history of the telescope. Conjures up and immerses the reader in the the complex zeitgeist of the 16th and early 17th centuries from which emerged the telescope. Sets the invention in the context of bitter scientific, religious and politic rivalry, scheming for patronage and superstition. The work emphasizes the role of slow and garbled communication of the time and the still rampant superstition, which combined to cause the conflation and confusion of rational and supernatural explanations of the telescope and other cotemporaneously emergent technologies (like the camera obscura and altimetry). The book is scholarly, but somewhat convoluted, at times testing the patience of the reader. In the end, it rewards the effort of the reader.

A Scholarly Work, But...
Although this book's subtitle is "The Telescope and the Mirror", there is very little discussion on the technical evolution and actual uses of these devices. Instead, the author focuses on the myths and legends about "magic mirrors" allowing the ancients to see what people were doing a great many miles away. The evolution of such myths over the centuries is also discussed, culminating with the invention of a real telescope, knowledge of which eventually reached Galileo. This is indeed a scholarly work. It is focused and heavily annotated, i.e., 166 pages of main text are supported by 50 pages of notes/references. However, scholarly works that are also aimed at general readers should be written in a style that is accessible, friendly and engaging. In my view, this is where this book misses the mark. Although I found the writing style to be authoritative, I also found it to be rather dry and awkward, due in no small part to the many very long-winded and often complex sentences. Consequently, it is very difficult to say what the book's target audience is. In my opinion, this is a work that should be studied rather than simply read for pleasure. It would likely be of interest to scholars who may be involved in research along related topics. However, I suspect that general readers, and even many history buffs like me, may find the book confusing and rather boring. ... Read more

Product Description
Has The Night Sky Always Fascinated You Since You Were A Child? Do You Often Wonder What Lies Beyond The Dark Expanse Above? Do You Want To Fathom The Mysteries Of The Infinite Universe?

At Last! A Guide That Explains Astronomy And Telescopes In Layman's Language, Leaving All The Technical Jargon Out! Understand The Basics Of Astronomy And Telescopes... And Re-Awaken That Long Lost Discoverer Within You!

* History Of Telescopes
* The Evolution Of The Telescope
* Historical Timeline For Telescopes
* How Telescopes Work
* Buying A Telescope
* Finding The Telescope That Meets Your Needs
* Factors To Consider When Purchasing A Telescope
* Terminology
* Astronomy 101
* Zodiac Constellations
* Andromeda
* Build Your Own Telescope
* Learn How To Build Telescopes
* Make Your Own Telescope
* Eyepieces For Telescopes
* Why Using A Telescope Building Kit Is Convenient
* Learn About Our Universe Using Telescopes
* Basic Tips For Using Telescopes
* Understanding The Value Of Telescope Lens

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We are dedicated to providing our customers with cutting edge information with the latest and most popular ebooks & hot topics at very affordable prices. Our mission is to create positive change in your life. We carry hundreds of unique titles including "Literary Classics" under many categories for your convenience. Please click on the name "prime ebooks" at the top of the page, next to the title, or write "prime ebooks" at the search box and you will be taken to our main page in Amazon, where you will be able to check all the interesting, unique and informative titles that we carry at Amazon Kindle. ... Read more

Product Description

Any amateur astronomer who is interested in astrophotography, particularly if just getting started, needs to know what objects are best for imaging in each month of the year. These are not necessarily the same objects that are the most spectacular or intriguing visually. The camera reveals different things and has different requirements. What objects in the sky tonight are large enough, bright enough, and high enough to be photographed? This book reveals, for each month of the year, the choicest celestial treasures within the reach of a commercial CCD camera. Helpful hints and advice on framing, exposures, and filters are included. Each deep sky object is explained in beautiful detail, so that observers will gain a richer understanding of these astronomical objects.

This is not a book that dwells on the technology of CCD, Webcam, wet, or other types of astrophotography. Neither is it a book about in-depth computer processing of the images (although this topic is included). Detailed discussions of these topics can be found in other publications. This book focuses on what northern latitude objects to image at any given time of the year to get the most spectacular results.

Customer Reviews (11)

A must to have
This is a very good agenda with multiple information that will help on choosing "standard" targets. I really appreciate comments and data on each target, a very good help for the beginner as for the experienced astronomer.

A new classic?One of a kind, highly recommended
I bought this book as soon as it came out so I've had it for several months now.It has become a sort of companion and I really don't know of any other book arranged this way, and I have to say it is fantastic!.It is all meat and potatoes, no fluff or filler.And what is that?Extremely useful information stem to stern on a month by month listing of objects hopefully (depending on where you live) above the 2x airmass needed for good imaging.

Gives all the stuff you want to know, scope used, exposure time, imager used, processing techniques - and best of all these are all done at medium exposure times so no 30 minute sub exposures (and the $$ mounts needed to do it) to get similar results.If you are new to imaging and want a fantastic book to get you started, this is a great choice.I think if you get this book, your imaging ability will will be greatly enhanced and you'll see why it's getting these great reviews.

Although calibrating, stacking, SNR, ...'processing images' is a theater all it's own - too often it's time spent on one object only to find on others a very different proceedure required.Here you have a fantastic array of objects with all that needed processing information in one concise and easily referenced volume.After a few months with this book you'll feel much more at home in this imaging arena and whtever you use, will start to appreciate just what a gem this little book is.Highest recommendation, I think this is a sort of instant classic of this literature.

An essential book for beginning astrophotographers
Why another book of lists? As the author states in the introduction "These famous lists are excellent for visual astronomy but can be disappointing for the astrophotographer. For example, a sparse open star cluster sparkles at the eyepiece but can be uninspiring as an image.... on the other hand many nebulae that are faint to the eye have striking texture and hue on long exposures."

Amen, brother. That says it in a nutshell.

This book also includes the two most important bits of information you need on each object: it's brightness, and how large it appears. There are lots of sources for location information, but the size is rarely given. The book also includes some discussion of how these numbers relate to your telescope and imaging device. It's pretty technical but the answers you need are here.

Each object gets a full page color photo as well as detailed technical information on how the image was captured.

This book meets a real need. Excellent!

CCD Astrophotography "Must Have" book
I am an amateur astrophotographer, and the work for preparation of photos with my setup is a time consuming job (although pleaseant!). This book helps a lot in predicting what you can achieve with a specific setup, proposes targets based on calendar,etc. a big help especially if you are a rookie like me. Highly advise the book for early amateurs wanting for "more" in astrophotography. Thanks Ruben!

Best I've Read!
Of all the astronomy books I have read this one is the best. Mr. Kier looks like he's got his own Hubble! It's the pictures that make this paperback super special. The book is chock full of photos and they all looked the same, simply amazing. Plus, the publisher must have thought so too because it looks like they went all out on the paper. Since the book is well over 300 pages, it must have cost them a pretty penny. The scoping spec's seem of a high quality too but still doesn't explain to me why the shots are of such a high quality.As far as the 100 top targets picked out by Mr. Kier, it's hard to argue with any of them. It seemed to cover the greatest hits but there were some unexpected, but very satisfying surprises. I won't spoil them for the rest of you. I am definitely going to look for this author's next publication for this book because, just like the images, the author reached for the stars and got there. I even liked the dedication. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the Atlas for sky observing beginners. The constellations are easy to locate, and all the objects in the atlas are within reach of binoculars or a small (2 inches or less) telescopes. The forward gives a basic overview of celestial motion. The selection of objects insures success for the beginner with the easiest to find objects in the sky. Many beginners do not know which objects are within reach of their equipment and end up frustrated and unsuccessful. This atlas describes if the object is viewable in binoculars, or a small telescope, or with the unaided eye. Descriptions of objects on a page are given on the opposing page. ... Read more