The Amateur Astronomer (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) [Hardcover]

Patrick Moore (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1852338784 | ISBN-13: 978-1852338787 | Publication Date: October 11, 2005 | Edition: 12th ed.

This 2000 Edition of Sir Patrick Moore’s classic book has been completely revised in the light of changes in technology. Not only do these changes include commercially available astronomical telescopes and software, but also what we know and understand about the universe. There are many new photographs and illustrations. Packs a great deal of valuable information into appendices which make up almost half the book. These are hugely comprehensive and provide hints and tips, as well as data (year 2000 onwards) for pretty well every aspect of amateur astronomy. This is probably the only book in which all this information is collected in one place.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this first revised edition of astronomer Moore's 1957 classic guide, amateur astronomers will find everything they need to know to begin fruitfully and enjoyably viewing celestial objects. The author discusses types of telescopes and their flaws, how to care for instruments and use them to best advantage. He describes not only the pleasures that amateurs can obtain from astronomy but the serious scientific work they can perform as well, particularly in planetary astronomy, an area few professionals now study. Moore also weaves together the history of astronomy with recent findings of astrophysics and satellite mapping. The invaluable appendixes include star and lunar surface maps, dates and times of upcoming solar and lunar eclipses, the scientific names of constellations and major stars. Photos. Macmillan Library of Science main selection.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

From the reviews of the twelfth edition: "The Amateur Astronomer is aimed at both novice and experienced amateur, although evidently biased towards the former. … should be mandatory reading for anyone thinking of buying a first telescope. … We find here useful statistical data, cartographies, catalogues, and notes relevant to the owners of small to medium telescopes. … Now approaching 50 years old … this 12th edition continues the book’s long tradition of providing an invaluable handbook for those requiring a broad introduction to amateur astronomy. A classic; absolutely recommended." (Steve Ringwood, Astronomy Now, June 2005) "Classic text that covers the basics of all the major areas of astronomical observing, from lunar and planetary studies to observing and measuring double and variable stars. The high-quality black & white illustrations and images in this book bring together the old and the new in a way that is refreshingly different. … This highly recommended book will have pride of place on my bookshelf and I will continue to dip in and out of it for many years to come." (Neil English, Astronomy and Space, January, 2007)

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 306 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 12th ed. edition (October 11, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852338784
• ISBN-13: 978-1852338787
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,252,567 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Still THE book or the beginning amateur astronomer, August 7, 2010

By 

Rodney F. Mollise "Uncle Rod Mollise" (Possum Swamp) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Amateur Astronomer (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) (Hardcover)

Sir Patrick Moore's calm, elegant, and erudite prose is still doing a wonderful job of initiating newbies into amateur astronomy six decades after it was first published. If you are interested in amateur astronomy, or think you might be, _you want this_.

7 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Planetary introduction to Astronomy., August 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Amateur Astronomer (Astronomy) (Hardcover)

Although this book is easy to understand, its lack of color pictures and dry writing style makes it rather dull reading. There are better books on the market.