There are thousands of books available on the topic of astronomy and
can be quite overwhelming for the beginner. We have compiled a list of a
few books on topics from learning the constellations to making your own
telescope that we feel are worth your time . Most of the books listed
here can be found at your local library or from a company such as
Astronomy or Sky and Telescope. Hope you enjoy, and remember: Keep
Looking Up!
Note: We are currently in the process of linking the book titles
to amazon.com. For those already completed, just click on the title to order that
book from amazon.com, the internet's largest book-seller.
Beginner's
Guide to Amateur Astronomy by David J. Eicher
This owner's manuel for the night sky gets beginners off to a
great start in the hobby of astronomy. Many topics are covered
including types of telescopes, basic astrophotography, and the
solar system.
To
Know the Stars by Guy Ottewell
A guide to astronomy for children, teachers, and beginners.
Learn constellations by sharing in the lore of their past.
Celestial
Delights by Francsis Reddy and Greg Walz-Chojnacki
A beginning viewer's guide to the best sky shows from now
through the year 2001.
Miller's Planisphere edited by Ian Ridpath
Shows the sky for any day of the year at any hour. Made with
waterproof plastic.
Moon Map from George Philip, Ltd.
A 36 x 26 fold-out map showing over 500 features visible with
the naked eye and binoculers.
Will
Black Holes Devour the Universe? by Melanie Melton
101 complex questions are answered in simple,
easy-to-understand explanations.
Burnham's
Celestial Handbook by Robert Burnham, Jr.
Provides data, stories, and images for thousands of stars and
deep-sky objects. A three-volume set.
Consice
Dictionary of Astronomy by Jacqueline Mitton
Contains 2,300 definitions of concepts important to learning
how to speak in the language of astronomy.
Peterson's
Field Guide to the Stars & Planets by Pasachoff and
Menzel
A pocket-sized reference guide with hundreds of photographs and 72
monthly sky maps. Also includes a TON of information, defiantly the best
pocket-reference book available
Uranometria 2000.0 by Tirion, Rappaport, and Lovi
Contains 259 charts with 332,000 stars down to mag. 9.5. The
ultimate in star charts for the amateur astronomer.
Back to Top
How to
Make a Telescope by Jean Texereau Build
Your Own Telescope by Richard Berry Back to Top
Astrophotography
- An Introduction by H.J.P. Arnold Choosing
and Using a CCD Camera by Richard Berry Back to Top
A Brief
History of Time by Stephen Hawking Black
Holes, Baby Universes,... by Stephen Hawking Cosmos
by Carl Sagan Back to Top
The Dream is Alive - narrated by Walter Cronkite Hubble Space Telescope - Rescue in Space Patrick Stewart narrates "The Planets"
The classic reference book on how to make a Newtonian or
Cassegrain telescope.
Complete plans on how to build five telescopes with backyard
tools.
A member of Sky and Telescope's Observer's Guide series, this
manual is an excellent starting point to learn how to take great photos.
An excellent book to pick up before investing in a CCD camera.
Explains the procedures and equipment needed to get started in CCD
photography.
Although an EXCELLENT book that explains many of the new advances in
theoretical astrophysics, it is not as easy of a read as it is made out
to be. If you have trouble understanding the concepts, Hawking has also
written a companion to Brief History.
A follow-up to Brief History, Baby Universes is an easier read that
contains more personal information about Hawking and many transcripts of
his lectures.
Although we have not personally read this book, the PBS video series
based after it is highly acclaimed.
Watch a shuttle launch and visit with the astronauts in space. Some
call it the best space documentary ever made.
Join the astronauts in space as they repair the optics on the Hubble
Space Telescope.
Based on Gustav Holst's classic suite, "The Planets". Stewart's
voice and breathtaking NASA photography combine to make a
spectacular video.
