Astronomy Books

[rocket]

Just curious as to what astronomy related literature you guys/gals peruse on occassion. I am currently recieving my free issues of Astronomy and tend to enjoy them. I enjoy Backpacker as well albeit not astronomy related. I am quite interested in Amateur Astronomy, but I am not sure that I can justify the price yet. I am sure that I will eventually convince myself to get it. I would like to eventually build my own telescope and have heard that several magazines get into this area. Just some thoughts for the conversation that is sure to insue, or not.

[Falcon]

I suppose everyone here can speak for themselves on that topic. I enjoy reading the mayor periodicals/mags: astronomy, discover, national geographic, etc. There are important news almost every issue!

I just have simple finderscope and small binoculars. Powerful binoculars are probably your best start-up gear (my opinion). Familiarize yourself with the layout of the sky: compass points, constellations, ecliptic, milky way, then mayor clusters and galaxies (these larger objects are easily located with a good pair of binoculars -best if mounted on tripod. After, if you still have the desire to do so, consider purchasing a telescope with a star-locating software built-in. But, depending where you are, (clear skies) many people soon get bored -unless you get totally immersed (like you said: building your own scope, or getting real big high powered stuff). I choose instead to stay with wide-field equipment (binoculars) and a good imagination. Knowing where things are, and seeing the bigger picture (milky way orientation etc.) is the way to go.

FLG

[Michael Steen]

Very good advice. I myself read "Sky and Telescope" (my daughter gave it to me for Fathers' Day), and when I go into Borders and check the bargain racks, I almost invariably find some really nice astronomy books on clearance. I just purchase the "Atlas of the Universe" for $20. It's not Stephen Hawking, but it's huge and beautifully illustrated.
I also read Hawking, Carl Sagan, Timothy Ferris, and Bill Bryson, among others.

[admin]

yes I like similar. Astronomy magazine is pretty good, Sky and Telescope also.

Any astrophysics book or telescope making / modification book for cloudy skies...