Overview
The complete guide to buying and using telescopes for stargazers of any age and experience level.
Buying a telescope is crucial for budding astronomers. With so many choices, how does the beginner choose? Robin Scagell supplies expert, objective advice.
Stargazing with a Telescope is a practical guide that demystifies the process of buying and using a telescope. Scagell provides brand names and model numbers and general advice that applies to all brands, not just those covered. Clear color diagrams and non-scientific text explain lens size, focal lengths, focal ratios and much more.
Equipment covered includes:
- Binoculars -- a range of choices for astronomers at any level
- Refractors -- classic telescopes that are easy to use and maintain
- Reflectors --
sophisticated instruments that allow night-sky photography - Catadioptrics -- compact telescopes that are gaining popularity.
Scagell also covers suitable accessories, such as eyepieces, filters, mounts and supports, and photography through a telescope. He provides useful tips on setting up and using any telescope and reviews objects to observe with different sizes of telescopes.
There is also valuable advice on how to instantly spot misleading labels on low-end telescopes. These are often bought for young astronomers who quickly become discouraged by the telescope's poor performance.
Stargazing with a Telescope is a must for newcomers to astronomy whatever their age.
Synopsis
The complete guide to buying and using telescopes for stargazers of any age and experience level.
Editorials
Astronomical Society of the Pacific - Books of Not
[Review of earlier edition:] A practical guide that demystifies the process of buying a telescope... valuable advice on how to instantly spot misleading labels on low-end telescopes.E-Stream -
[Review of earlier edition:] Written for anyone contemplating purchasing a telescope as well as those who already own one but don't know how to use it properly... this pocket guide packs a lot of information into a concise, easy-to-read format.Sky and Telescope
[Review of earlier edition:] Because it stays focused, it succeeds. When you read Stargazing, you feel as though you have a friend who's helping you think about the world of telescopes.Belleville Intelligencer
Well-illustrated, this book will help you recognize more than just the big dipper while stargazing.E-Stream
This pocket guide packs a lot of information into a concise, easy-to-read format.— Samantha Neukomm
Sky and Telescope
You feel as though you have a friend who's helping you think about the world of telescopes.— Tony Flanders