A Simple Guide to Telescopes, Spotting Scopes and Binoculars

Library Journal

For amateur stargazers, Corbett (A Simple Guide to Digital Photography) delivers exactly what his title promises-a simple (and thorough) discussion of telescopes, spotting scopes, and binoculars explaining how they work, their advantages and disadvantages, and their use and care. He makes no assumptions about the reader's prior knowledge of the instruments. The brief introduction to the art and equipment of astrophotography is probably enough information to get a beginner off to a good start. Corbett does not devote much attention to identifying particular celestial bodies, although he does provide a few tips on observing planets and moons in our solar system and gives some basic information about other celestial phenomena, such as comets, meteors, variable stars, and nebulae. This very affordable book is a nice addition for public libraries that already have a good selection of books on observing the night sky. For smaller collections and those on a limited budget, a better choice would be a guide that also includes star charts and more information on observable objects, such as Patricia L. Barnes-Svarney's Through the Telescope or Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer's excellent The Backyard Astronomer's Guide.-Denise Hamilton, Franklin Pierce Coll. Lib., Rindge, NH Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.