What is the Best Book for Learning About Astronomy?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for accessible books on observational astronomy, particularly for beginners who are interested in understanding constellations and their stories without delving deeply into complex physics. Participants share various titles and resources that cater to different aspects of astronomy, including historical context and practical observational skills.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks recommendations for easy-to-read astronomy books that focus on observational aspects and constellations.
  • Another suggests using Google to find books on observational astronomy, highlighting the need for knowledge about cameras and CCDs.
  • A participant recommends Burnham's Celestial Handbooks for their historical context and information about constellations, while also suggesting a specific type of telescope for beginners.
  • Some express skepticism about the significance of constellations, describing them as arbitrary patterns in the sky.
  • A different participant shares a link to a book they found helpful for recreational astronomy, emphasizing its accessibility for younger readers.
  • Another participant mentions "The History and Practice of Ancient Astronomy" as a valuable beginner resource.
  • One participant points out that Wikipedia offers free stories about constellations, providing a list of constellation names and their meanings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views on the best resources for learning about astronomy, with no consensus on a single recommended book. Some emphasize the importance of historical context, while others focus on practical observational skills.

Contextual Notes

Some recommendations may depend on personal preferences for depth of content and style of presentation, and there are varying opinions on the relevance of constellations in observational astronomy.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in beginner-level astronomy, particularly those looking for accessible resources that focus on observational skills and the stories behind constellations.

phyzzy_physh
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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 :wink: .

Thanks in advance :smile:

Phyzzy Physh
 
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Hi phyzzy_physh! :smile:

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 :wink:)
 
I had no idea Google did that! Thanks TT! :cool:
 
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.
 
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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, that's why there are a bunch of silly, dim constellations. As far as observational astronomy books, I really like https://www.amazon.com/dp/1554073448/?tag=pfamazon01-20 . Although I have an earlier edition, that book taught me everything I needed to know about recreational astronomy. And its definitely 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.
 
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Wikipedia has lots of stories to the constellations and such - free, even.

Here is a list of the constellations if you didn't know of them all.

The first 3 letters is the variable star sign. Like R And, R Aql. You should focus on the middle name.

And - Andromeda - Andromedae
Ant - Antlia - Antliae
Aps - Apus - Apodis
Aql - Aquila - Aquilae
Aqr - Aquarius - Aquarii
Ara - Ara - Arae
Ari - Aries - Arietis
Aur - Auriga - Aurigae
Boo - Boötes - Boötis
Cae - Caelum - Caeli
Cam - Camelopardalis - Camelopardalis
Cap - Capricornus - Capricorni
Car - Carina - Carinae
Cas - Cassiopeia - Cassiopeiae
Cen - Centaurus - Centauri
Cep - Cepheus - Cephei
Cet - Cetus - Ceti
Cha - Chamaeleon - Chamaeleontis
Cir - Circinus - Circini
CMa - Canis Major - Canis Majoris
CMi - Canis Minor - Canis Minoris
Cnc - Cancer - Cancri
Col - Columba - Columbae
Com - Coma Berenices - Comae Berenices
CrA - Corona Australis - Coronae Australis
CrB - Corona Borealis - Coronae Borealis
Crt - Crater - Crateris
Cru - Crux - Crucis
Crv - Corvus - Corvi
CVn - Canes Venatici - Canum Venaticorum
Cyg - Cygnus - Cygni
Del - Delphinus - Delphini
Dor - Dorado - Doradus
Dra - Draco - Draconis
Equ - Equuleus - Equulei
Eri - Eridanus - Eridani
For - Fornax - Fornacis
Gem - Gemini - Geminorum
Gru - Grus - Gruis
Her - Hercules - Herculis
Hor - Horologium - Horologii
Hya - Hydra - Hydrae
Hyi - Hydrus - Hydri
Ind - Indus - Indi
Lac - Lacerta - Lacertae
Leo - Leo - Leonis
Lep - Lepus - Leporis
Lib - Libra - Librae
LMi - Leo Minor - Leonis Minoris
Lup - Lupus - Lupi
Lyn - Lynx - Lyncis
Lyr - Lyra - Lyrae
Men - Mensa - Mensae
Mic - Microscopium - Microscopii
Mon - Monoceros - Monocerotis
Mus - Musca - Muscae
Nor - Norma - Normae
Oct - Octans - Octantis
Oph - Ophiuchus - Ophiuchi
Ori - Orion - Orionis
Pav - Pavo - Pavonis
Peg - Pegasus - Pegasi
Per - Perseus - Persei
Phe - Phoenix - Phoenicis
Pic - Pictor - Pictoris
PsA - Piscis Austrinus - Piscis Austrini
Psc - Pisces - Piscium
Pup - Puppis - Puppis
Pyx - Pyxis - Pyxidis
Ret - Reticulum - Reticuli
Scl - Sculptor - Sculptoris
Sco - Scorpius - Scorpii
Sct - Scutum - Scuti
Ser - Serpens - Serpentis
Sex - Sextans - Sextantis
Sge - Sagitta - Sagittae
Sgr - Sagittarius - Sagittarii
Tau - Taurus - Tauri
Tel - Telescopium - Telescopii
TrA - Triangulum Australe - Trianguli Australis
Tri - Triangulum - Trianguli
Tuc - Tucana - Tucanae
UMa - Ursa Major - Ursae Majoris
UMi - Ursa Minor - Ursae Minoris
Vel - Vela - Velorum
Vir - Virgo - Virginis
Vol - Volans - Volantis
Vul - Vulpecula - Vulpeculae

Regards, Robin Andersson.
 

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