NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe (155407147X)

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Editorial Review:

Thoroughly revised, updated and expanded.

The first three editions of Night Watch sold more than 600,000 copies, making it the top-selling stargazing guide in the world for the last 20 years. The key feature of this classic title is the section of star charts that are cherished by backyard astronomers everywhere. Each new edition has outsold the previous one because of thorough revisions and additional new material.

Night Watch has been acclaimed as the best general interest introduction to astronomy. The fourth edition has revisions in every chapter, including: - The famous charts, ideal for stargazers using a small telescope or binoculars - A complete update of the equipment section, including computerized telescopes - An enlarged photography section, including how-to instructions for using the new generation of digital cameras for astronomical photography, both with and without a telescope - The tables of future solar and lunar eclipses, planetary conjunctions and planet locations, updated through 2018.

This edition includes for the first time star charts for use in the southern hemisphere. There are also dozens of new photographs throughout the book that show the latest thrilling discoveries made by current space observatories and probes.

The third edition of Nightwatch continues its tradition of being the best handbook for the beginning astronomer. Terence Dickinson covers all the problems beginners face, starting with the fact that the night sky does not look the way a modern city-dweller expects. He discusses light pollution, how to choose binoculars and telescopes, how to pronounce the names of stars and constellations, telescope mounts, averted vision, and why the harvest moon looks especially bright. Most of the lovely photographs in the book were taken by amateurs, which gives the section on astrophotography a particularly inspirational gleam.

Dickinson's star charts are very handy, each covering a reasonable field of view and mapping the most interesting amateur objects. He gives good advice for planet watching, which he notes "is one of the few astronomical activities that can be conducted almost as well from the city as from dark rural locations."

Altogether, the watchword for Nightwatch is indeed "practical"--this is a book to be used, not just read. Spiral-bound to lie flat or to fold back undamaged, it's a field guide that pulls its own weight in the field. Author Timothy Ferris says, "Like a good night sky, Nightwatch is clear and wind-free. Try it and see for yourself." --Mary Ellen Curtin

Customer Reviews:

Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0

No better book out there PERIOD:

I have over a dozen astronomy books and love my telescopes. This is the one book above all others you must get. Even before you get your first telescope. It has all the important information you will need to pick a telescope and use it. One of the best resources in my library. Get the spiral bound version, this book will be folded open to the star charts for years to come. I have yet to find a better book for beginning astronomers, and even years later I still use it almost every night I'm out using my... more info

Great Book Depending On Your Level:

If you are new to observing or astronomy in general I can not think of a better book. Even if you have a general knowledge of the universe this book has some excellent points of interest for everyone. I would recommend buying this book before you get a telescope or do what I did and buy it with a pair of bino's like Celestron's 15x70 pair. With this combo you can spend many nights under the stars learning and viewing while you prepare to purchase a more expensive piece of equipment.

Nice Book, Low Level:

The book is pretty, a bunch of pretty pictures, and if you are really new to amateur astronomy, and want a non-electronic reference, then this book is OK. Better yet, give it as a gift to a budding astronomer who is no older than, say, 14 years of age.
But if you want more information, don't get this one, get Dickinson's more comprehensive Backyard Astronomer.

The reviews say it all, for any beginner (and even interm.) this book is a must!:

The reviews say it all on this book. It gives you a great analysis of amateur stargazing and telescoping. I found the best thing was the back charts. He includes 20 charts of the constellations and what an amateur stargazer can expect to see within each constellation (what galaxy's, nebulas, binary stars, etc). It was awesomely educational. His comment on the Andromeda galaxy was spot on. I was so disappointed in what I saw the first time I looked at this galaxy cause all it was was a white blob. I was... more info

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