Favourite Astronomy Book?

phyzzy_physh

Hi,

I've been looking for a good laymans book on Astronomy for ages now, but haven't been able to find one that isn't seriously heavy going on the physics front. I have plenty of astrophysics books, but not one dedicated to simple observational astronomy. Can anyone recommend a good, easy to read book, preferably with lots of pictures for a simpleton like me to be able to follow? I want to understand all the constellations and the stories behind them before I go spending money I don't have on a telescope .

Thanks in advance

Phyzzy Physh

tiny-tim

Hi phyzzy_physh!

If you google "observational astronomy", and then click "Books" in the drop-down menu from "More", you'll get at least two books with extensive free downloadable previews.

(btw, you probably need to know about cameras/CCDs rather than about the constellations and the stories behind them )

phyzzy_physh

I had no idea Google did that! Thanks TT!

Integral8850

I really like Burnham's Celestial Handbooks(3 books) They are really interesting giving some history and info about each constellation. Constellation>History>Main Stars>Deep sky objects. The info. is slightly outdated but will give you a good survey of all things relating to visual astronomy. I would recommend a 6"-8" dobsonian telescope w/out software to track down the messier and brighter NGC objects before buying a computerized go-to scope. You will learn much more this way.

Phyisab****

There really isn't much to know about the constellations. They are just patterns in the sky people gave names to. At some point every point in the sky was defined to be part of a constellation, thats why there are a bunch of silly, dim constellations. As far as observational astronomy books, I really like http://www.amazon.com/Backyard-Astro...tt_at_ep_dpi_2 . Although I have an earlier edition, that book taught me everything I needed to know about recreational astronomy. And its definately accessible, I think I read it cover to cover when I was only about 8-10 years old.

Note that this is a book about recreational astronomy. If you really mean it when you say you just want to know the stories behind the constellations, integral8850 is right on. Burnham's Celestial Handbooks are awesome, especially for that. But, I can't see myself ever reading them cover to cover.

Codester09

This is a book I've had for a long time. It really is almost purely astronomy, doesn't go heavy into physics.

http://www.amazon.com/Nightwatch-Pra...0324049&sr=1-3

Great book if you're just starting out. Good luck!