Thinking of buying a telescope? Don't be fooled by marketing hype. This book is the ultimate source of unbiased information about buying a telescope and other astronomical equipment.

This is the fourth edition of Phil Harrington's popular and comprehensive guide to astronomical equipment. Written for both new astronomers as well as experienced amateurs it includes numerous tips and tricks from other experienced astronomers.

Book Synopsis: Just as our knowledge of the cosmos has changed, so has astronomy technology. So how does the amateur astronomer make informed choices about buying telescopes. In this latest edition of Star Ware, award-winning astronomy writer Philip Harrington helps eliminate the guesswork and guides us through the process with fully updated and expanded chapters on telescopes and accessories.

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Cloudy Nights Review

Description: Do you relish viewing and identifying celestial objects? Whether you're a first timer or an advanced hobbyist, you will find Astronomy Hacks makes a brilliant cosmic companion. Why use the traditional approach in admiring and studying the stars when you can turn computers, handheld devices, and telescopes into star gazing tools for an out-of-this-world experience.

This handy field guide covers the basics of observing, and what you need to know about tweaking, tuning, adjusting, and tricking out a 'scope. Expect priceless tips and tools for using a Dobsonian telescope, the large-aperture telescope you can inexpensively build in your garage.

Astronomy Hacks begins the space exploration by getting you set up with the right equipment for observing and admiring the stars in an urban setting. Along for the trip are first rate tips for making most of observations. The hacks show you how to:

• Dark-Adapt Your Notebook Computer
• Choose the Best Binocular
• Clean Your Eyepieces and Lenses Safely
• Upgrade Your Optical Finder
• Photograph the Stars with Basic Equipment

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Book Synopsis: Astronomy has never been a more popular pastime than it is today. The increased availability of less expensive, more powerful, and more sophisticated telescopes has given rise to a new generation of stargazers. And for these beginning astronomers here is the comprehensive book covering everything from the difficult task of selecting an instrument to the equally daunting choices that arise when a telescope is turned to the heavens.

Renowned British astronomer and author James Muirden takes the fledgling astronomer by the hand in his new book, offering tips on:

• the purchase, assembly, and orientation of your new telescope
• how to observe and chart the Sun, Moon, planets, stars and comets
• how to investigate the deep-sky objects -- clusters, nebulae, and other galaxies beyond the Milky Way

The final chapter, "Windows into Space," explores ten carefully selected regions featuring noteworthy examples of double stars, galaxies, and nebulae, as well as more obscure objects seldom examined by astronomers.

How to Use an Astronomical Telescope offers completely revised and updated location charts with detailed coordinates, tables, appendixes, and numerous illustrations and photographs, making it the essential volume for one's first exploration of the cosmos.

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Book Description: Amateur astronomy is becoming more and more popular, mostly because of the availability of relatively low-cost astronomical telescopes of superb quality -- commercially-made Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutovs. Rod Mollise's book contains everything amateur astronomers need to know about these telescopes. Featuring (but not exclusively) the ubiquitous Meade and Celestron ranges, he describes what these instruments will do, how to use them, and which are the best to choose.

This book includes everything! There are sections on accessories, observing techniques, and hints and tips gleaned from his 25 years experience with this type of telescope: cleaning, collimating, maintaining the telescope and mounting; using the telescope in various conditions; computer control; imaging (wet, digital and CCD). This is the perfect book for amateur astronomers who are about to invest in a new Schmidt-Cassegrain or Maksutov telescope, or for those who already have one and want to get the best out of it.

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Book Description: Celestron's NexStar telescopes were introduced in 1999, beginning with their first computer controlled Go-To model, a 5-inch. More models appeared in quick succession, and Celestron's new range made it one of the two dominant manufacturers of affordable Go-To telescopes. Michael Swanson's online discussions with literally thousands of NexStar owners made it clear that there was a desperate need for a book such as this -- one that provides a complete, detailed guide to buying, using and maintaining NexStar telescopes. Although this book is highly comprehensive, it is suitable for beginners -- there is a chapter on "Astronomy Basics" -- and experts alike.

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Sky & Telescope Review: December 2004 p.120-122

Book Description: In 1996 Meade, the world's largest astronomical telescope manufacturer, introduced the ETX, a low-cost and genuinely portable instrument capable of results close to the theoretical limits of optical performance. Since then several different models have been introduced, most of them controlled by on-board computers that automatically point the telescope at objects selected from a database of 12,000. Unfortunately not all these objects are visible when looking through the ETX! (They are included because they can be imaged with special equipment.)

Mike Weasner is a world expert on the ETX range, and describes the "best" 100 objects to start with, and offers hints and tips about using and looking after the telescope to get the best possible results.

Contents: ETX Basics. ETX Hints and Tips. Observing Techniques. Objects. Photography. Summary. Appendix: Resources. Books. Magazines. Web Sites. Newsgroups. User Groups and Clubs. Dealers. Computer Software.

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Book Description: How to Use a Computerized Telescope describes how to get a computerized telescope up-and-running, and how to embark on a program of observation. Michael Covington explains in detail how the sky moves, how a telescope tracks it, and how to get the most out of any computerized telescope. Packed full of practical advice and tips for troubleshooting, his book gives detailed instructions for three popular telescopes: the Meade LX200, Celestron NexStar 5 and 8, and Meade Autostar (ETX and LX90).

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 language 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.

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Book Description: Complete, detailed instructions and numerous diagrams for constructing a do-it-yourself telescope. No complicated mathematics are involved, and no prior knowledge of optics or astronomy is needed to follow the text's step-by-step directions. Contents cover, among other topics, materials and equipment; tube parts and alignment; eyepieces, and related problems; setting circles; and optical principles. 1973 ed. Appendixes. Index. 6 plates. 100 figures.

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Have you ever dreamed of exploring the heavens with a telescope? This book contains specific "nut-and-bolt" instructions on how to build a powerful astronomical telescope inexpensively using ordinary household tools and materials. It includes complete plans, step-by step instructions, and 275 illustrations that show you how to build these 5 telescopes:

• 4-inch f/10 Reflector -- A sturdy easy to use telescope that is perfect for beginners or as a parent/child project.
• 6-inch f/8 Dobsonian Reflector -- A light, compact telescope that is simple to build, but powerful enough to satisy a backyard observer for many years.
• 6-inch f/8 Equatorial Reflector -- A classic design for the amateur astronomer or craftsman who wants an elegant telescope and great performance.
• 10-inch f/6 Dobsonian Reflector -- A powerful and versatile telescope suitable for casual stargazing or for a serious amateur's long-term observing programs.
• 6-inch f/15 Refractor -- A large refractor that outperforms commercial telescope of considerably larger aperture.

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