Nature, Astronomy, Astronomy, Nature
NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
Terence Dickinson, Adolf Schaller (Illustrator), Victor Costanzo (Illustrator), Roberta Cooke (Illustrator), Glenn LeDrew
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Overview
Thoroughly revised, updated and expanded.
The first three editions of NightWatch 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.
NightWatch has been acclaimed as the best general interest introduction to astronomy. The fourth edition has improvements over the 3rd edition 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.
Synopsis
Often cited as the best introduction to stargazing the 4th edition of NightWatch is revised throughout and includes star charts, equipment suggestions, astrophotography, tables and references good until 2018, and is a friendly and knowledgeable guide.
Astronomy - Glenn Chaple
A great all-round astronomy guide.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
NightWatch is a large-format, colorfully illustrated guide to the night sky. Ranging from picking the right equipment for stargazing to complex charts of the major constellations, it tells you what things are up there and where to find them, which, given the fact that the earth keeps moving, is no easy trick. Terence Dickinson has built a career as a successful science reporter, explaining the night sky to a generation of amateur astronomers. His strength is his gift to explain clearly and with an infectious passion.The Midwest Book Review
A 'must' for any night-time observer.— Diane C. Donovan
New Scientist
A clear, concise manual for backyard stargazing... fantastically revised... The best introduction around.— Ivan Semeniuk
St Paul Pioneer Press
A great overall book for the stargazing hobbyist.— Mike Lynch
Victoria Times-Colonist
General interest introduction to astronomy now in its fourth edition... bends the mind with information.— Barbara Julian
The Examiner (Peterborough)
This is probably the best handbook for the beginning astronomer.— Drew Monkman
American Profile
Newly updated, lavishly illustrated...packed with facts...and a cosmic closet-full of other astronomical delights. Nightwatch puts the heavens at your fingertips.— Neil Pond
Sky and Telescope
NightWatch remains one of the best sourcebooks to introduce beginning astronomers to the night sky, and to keep them interested.— Stuart J. Goldman
Globe and Mail
[Globe and Mail 2006 Holiday Gift Book selection] Remains perhaps the best book available for amateur astronomers, and makes fascinating browsing even if you never put eye to telescope.Windsor Star
NightWatch remains the best single source on sky watching and astronomy equipment for the backyard enthusiast.— Randy Groundwater
Mercury
This classic title has revisions in every chapter.Astronomy
[Review-of-previous-edition:] A great all-round astronomy guide.— Glenn Chaple
Choice
[Review-of-previous-edition:] Easily the best in its field. ... Highly recommended for all libraries.Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
[Review-of-previous-edition:] Highly recommended as the best of its kind.Astronomical League
[Review-of-previous-edition:] This is a book you can confidently recommend to anyone who is just starting out in astronomy.The Science Teacher
This practical guide is a must ... I believe this is the best book in its field available to amateurs.— Teri Cosentino
The Whig-Standard
NightWatch, now in its fourth edition, has become a staple in many Canadian cottages and amateur astronomers' bookshelves.— Ian Elliot
My San Antonio Times (mysa.com)
Another must-have....— Becky Ramotowski, SkyWatch
The North Bay Nugget
[Astronomy] is a subject that young people are not discarding.....They're interested in it. And they know a lot."— Maria Calabrese
suite101.com
This is a fantastic introductory book chock full of information and charts. Well written and engaging.— John Kulczyzki
Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canad
[Review-of-previous-edition:] Highly recommended as the best of its kind.Garry Black Photography (GarryBlack.com)
If you buy this book for no other reason that to ..find the North Star...then it'll be worth your money.— Garry Black
Astronomy
[Review-of-previous-edition:] A great all-round astronomy guide.New Scientist
[Nightwatch was] a clear, concise manual for backyard stargazing that also managed to convey the excitement of astronomy. This fantastically revised edition continues that tradition, but now includes sky maps for observers in the southern hemisphere and a guide to celestial phenomena up to 2018. The best introduction around.The North Bay Nugget
Renowned author and astronomer Terence Dickinson took Grade 5 and 6 students from the [North Bay] area through the universe to make snowballs from water and ice particles that make up Saturn's rings, and visit the red liquid methane lakes of its moon, Titan.... "I'm hoping that they'll walk away with excitement about the universe," he said." It's a subject that young people are not discarding. They're living with it. They're interested in it. And they know a lot."The Midwest Book Review
A "must" for any night-time observer.St Paul Pioneer Press
A great overall book for the stargazing hobbyist.Victoria Times-Colonist
General interest introduction to astronomy now in its fourth edition... bends the mind with information.The Examiner (Peterborough)
This is probably the best handbook for the beginning astronomer.PublishersWeekly.com
New, better-quality photos; amped-up sections on astrophotography and using amateur telescopic equipment; and a new chapter on the skies visible from the Southern hemisphere.American Profile
This fourth edition of the essential guide for amateur stargazers is newly updated, lavishly illustrated...and packed with facts...and a cosmic closet-full of other astronomical delights. For anyone who ever looked up and wondered what's out there, Nightwatch puts the heavens at your fingertips.Sky and Telescope
It may be hard to justify upgrading from later printings of the third edition, but NightWatch remains one of the best sourcebooks to introduce beginning astronomers to the night sky -- and to keep them interested.Windsor Star
NightWatch remains the best single source on sky watching and astronomy equipment for the backyard enthusiast.The Whig-Standard
If Canadians look at the sky more than anyone else in the world, it's thanks to one of our own....NightWatch, now in its fourth edition, has become a staple in many Canadian cottages and amateur astronomers' bookshelves along with his popular The Backyard Astronomer's Guide. The book has also quietly gone on to be the bestselling stargazer's guide in the world, having been translated into Spanish, Italian, Greek and other languages, and selling a stead 25,000 copies or more a year around the world.The Science Teacher
A paramount book of sky objects... easy and understandable. This practical guide is a must for the science classroom teacher, the beginning or amateur astronomer, and young and old students of the night. The author gives a sensible, realistic perspective on night sky viewing. I believe this is the best book in its field available to amateurs.Tenth Anniversary Edition Shelf Life
With this book, viewing the night skies can become fun again, and a family affair.... A must-have book, to stimulate interest in the heavens above, and away from video games and less productive activities.Garry Black Photography (GarryBlack.com)
This book is widely regarded as the essential guidebook for beginning stargazers. If you buy this book for no other reason that to help you find the North Star, so that you can take images of Star Trails, then it'll be worth your money.My San Antonio Times (mysa.com)
Another must-have....suite101.com
This is a fantastic introductory book chock full of information and charts. Well written and engaging, it is sure to provide all the information to get Dad started looking at the night sky.Jeanne Bishop
An incredible amount of helpful information is packed into the book. Included are seasonal star maps with and without line connections and 20 detailed charts of sections of the sky. Not only is this a helpful guide, it is also one of the most beautiful astronomy books I have ever seen. ... I recommend the book for all high school and college libraries and to all teachers who have an active interest in astronomy.—The Science Teacher
Air & Space
One of the best all-around general astronomy books ... The text is simple to understand and has just enough of a 'gee-whiz' tone. ... [It will also] provide good cloudy night reading and encourage exploration.Chet Raymo
NightWatch is an ideal first book for the backyard astronomer. It is an ideal second book too, one that will grow along with the observer's skill.—Sky & Telescope
Canadian Living
One of the top stargazing guides in the English language, gives novices just the right information to feed their curiousity.Glenn Chaple
A great all-round astronomy guide.—Astronomy
VOYA
Aspiring stargazers will find everything that they need to unlock the secrets of the night sky in this newly updated edition. Dickinson explains both what to look for and how to find it in easy-to-understand text that also conveys a sense of wonder and excitement. Beginning observers will be able to use the all-sky charts of the four seasons to find and identify star constellations, while observers looking for more of a challenge can use the deep-sky charts to find treasures such as the Orion Nebula. Updates include tables that give the dates for eclipses and the visibility of the planets through 2018 and a new chapter on the skies of the southern hemisphere. Dickinson adds a description of how the problem of light pollution has grown and explains how many people who live in urban areas have never truly experienced the beauty of the night sky. Dickinson provides enough information about the stars, planets, comets, and other observable objects to give context and to also make the book useful for students looking for basic astronomy homework help. Gorgeous photographs of everything from nebulas to eclipses will appeal to casual browsers and astronomy enthusiasts alike. Teens serious about their sky watching will appreciate the chapter on stargazing equipment, which covers the spectrum from selecting binoculars up to computer-age telescopes. Public and school libraries will certainly want to update their collections with this book.Library Journal
Van Holt, who teaches stargazing courses at the University of Kansas, explains how anyone living between southern Canada and northern Mexico (basically between latitudes 30 and 50 degrees) can learn to identify star formations and constellations without using complicated charts and equipment. Incorporating outdoor survival techniques with science, legends, and the myths surrounding the constellations, he teaches readers how to tell the difference between planets, comets, satellites, and stars and how to use star patterns to determine time and direction. By combining humor with fact, he has created an entertaining illustrated guide to the nighttime skies. Recommended for larger public libraries. For beginning skywatchers and amateur astronomers who want more substance, Dickinson's NightWatch--the standard guide since its 1983 publication--is the book to read. Newly revised and updated, this edition claims to allow for use through the year 2010. Dickinson, an award-winning science writer specializing in astronomy, explains how to find constellations, differentiate galaxies, and identify the location of stars according to seasons. He also discusses equipment, including what criteria to use for selecting a telescope, and includes information about astronomy on the Internet, computerized telescopes, astrophotography, and tips for stargazers using binoculars. With a completely updated and revised text and more than 100 new diagrams and color photographs, Dickinson ensures that his guide will retain its position as a classic. Essential for all public and college library astronomy collections.--Gloria Maxwell, Kansas City P.L.School Library Journal
Gr 6 Up--This long-overdue update of a classic handbook for amateur astronomers combines a text both meaty and hard to put down with a great array of charts, boxes, tables, and dazzling full-color photos of the sky. Aiming this offering at new but serious hobbyists, Dickinson guides readers on a tour of the universe visible from any dark backyard, providing frank evaluations of many telescope models; specific advice for photographers; and a simple system for locating stars, constellations, nebulae, and other intriguing sights. Convenient charts track upcoming eclipses and the locations of the five planets visible to the naked eye (both through the year 2010). The author closes with lists of supplementary resources, including books, software, Web sites, and conventions. Dickinson's contagious enthusiasm and vast expertise earn this a place in reference and circulating collections of any size.--John Peters, New York Public LibraryScience Books & Films
An excellent book for anyone interested in viewing the vast variety of celestial objects. The best practical, up-to-date book of its kind, truly a "stargazers companion."Outdoor Photographer
Terence Dickinson's new edition of Nightwatch is an excellent resource for aspiring astronomers and astrophotographers.Astronomy Magazine
An accessible reference for all amateur astronomers ... Packed with practical information.Library Review
Dickinson ensures that his guide will retain its position as a classic.Canadian Living
One of the top stargazing guides in the English language, gives novices just the right information to feed their curiosity.Sky and Telescope
Nightwatch is an ideal first book for the backyard astronomer. It is an ideal second book too, one that will grow along with the observer's skill.Air and Space
One of the best all-around general astronomy books .... The text is simple to understand and has just enough of a 'gee-whiz' tone. ... [It will also] provide good cloudy night reading and encourage exploration.Astronomical Society of the Pacific
A fine beginner's guide to observational astronomy.Calgary Herald
Wonderful book. Great pictures... a classic. The kind of guide that takes you by the hand and leads you to all the good stuff.Sailsbury Post
I've been reading astronomy guides since Jimmy Carter was in office, and I believe I've found the best beginners book ever. That's a strong claim, but "NightWatch" by Terrence Dickinson is nothing short of awesome.Book Details
Published
September 1, 2006
Publisher
Firefly Books, Limited
Pages
192
Format
Other Format
ISBN
9781554071470