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Astronomy Hacks: Tips and Tools for Observing the Night Sky
 
 
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Astronomy Hacks: Tips and Tools for Observing the Night Sky [Paperback]

Robert Bruce Thompson (Author), Barbara Fritchman Thompson (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)

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Book Description

June 1, 2005 Hacks

Why use the traditional approach to study the stars when you can turn computers, handheld devices, and telescopes into out-of-this-world stargazing tools? Whether you're a first timer or an advanced hobbyist, you'll find Astronomy Hacks both useful and fun. From upgrading your optical finder to photographing stars, this book is the perfect cosmic companion.

This handy field guide covers the basics of observing, and what you need to know about tweaking, tuning, adjusting, and tricking out a 'scope. Expect priceless tips and tools for using a Dobsonian Telescope, the large-aperture telescope you can inexpensively build in your garage. Get advice on protocols involved with using electronics including in dark places without ruining the party.

Astronomy Hacks begins the space exploration by getting you set up with the right equipment for observing and admiring the stars in an urban setting. Along for the trip are first rate tips for making most of observations. The hacks show you how to:

  • Dark-Adapt Your Notebook Computer
  • Choose the Best Binocular
  • Clean Your Eyepieces and Lenses Safely
  • Upgrade Your Optical Finder
  • Photograph the Stars with Basic Equipment
The O'Reilly Hacks series has reclaimed the term "hacking" to mean innovating, unearthing, and creating shortcuts, gizmos, and gears. With these hacks, you don't dream it-you do it--and Astronomy Hacks brings space dreams to life. The book is essential for anyone who wants to get the most out of an evening under the stars and have memorable celestial adventures.

Frequently Bought Together

Astronomy Hacks: Tips and Tools for Observing the Night Sky + The Backyard Astronomer's Guide + NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
Price For All Three: $89.15

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert Bruce Thompson is a coauthor of O'Reilly's Building the Perfect PC and PC Hardware in a Nutshell. A born geek, he built his first computer in 1976 with 256 bytes of memory, toggle switches, and no operating system. Since then, he has bought, built, upgraded, and repaired hundreds of PCs for himself, employers, customers, friends, and clients. Robert spends most clear, moonless nights outdoors with his 10-inch Dobsonian reflector telescope, hunting down faint fuzzies, and is currently designing a larger truss-tube Dobsonian (computerized, of course) that he plans to build.

Barbara Fritchman Thompson, the coauthor of Building the Perfect PC and PC Hardware in a Nutshell, worked for 20 years as a librarian before starting her own home-based consulting practice, Research Solutions. She's also a researcher for the law firm Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge, & Rice, PLLC. During her leisure hours, Barbara reads, works out, plays golf, and, like Robert, is an avid amateur astronomer.


Product Details

  • Paperback: 412 pages
  • Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 1 edition (June 1, 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0596100604
  • ISBN-13: 978-0596100605
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #558,562 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
88 of 95 people found the following review helpful
Excellent, but very biased January 21, 2006
Format:Paperback
I have been doing Astronomy since I got my first scope (Edmund Scientific 3" reflector) in 1954, and I teach Astronomy at the college here. I still found a lot of useful tips and tricks in this book. The reason for my rating is the author's complete bias toward Dobsonian scopes (and Orion). Plus, they don't like computerized scopes at all. In a field like Astronomy, where the technology is flying forward, it is all too easy for old-timers to get caught up in the "always been good enough for me" syndrome. Just because I learned to find that elusive object by star hopping doesn't mean everyone should. I was particularly struck by their comparison of go-to scopes with auto transmissions in cars. It was obvious they prefer stick shifts as well as Dobsonian scopes. If the Schmidt and Mak scopes were so bad, why are so many experienced astronomers buying them? Same with goto. They are very popular for a reason. If you can ignore the glaring bias, you will get a lot of useful info from this book.
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22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I really enjoyed this book. Where other Astronomy books focus exclusively on the hardware, or on the heavens, this book covers a wider range of topics. From telescope tricks, to how to meet up with astronomy buffs, to what to drink (or not drink) on your viewing nights. While the other books are helpful to teach the theory, this book is the glue that binds the night sky theory with the telescope in the back of the car on a mountain side reality.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have been all over the Internet and have perused just about every bookstore in the Dallas area searching for books and information on amateur astronomy. I was very fortunate to make this book one of my first purchases. The authors are very experienced and passionate amateur astronomers and they provide a wealth of valuable information from purchasing telescopes and equipment all the way through observation techniques and astronomical concepts. This book is a very recent publication and is filled with ideas or "hacks" that center around the very latest technology and equipment that is available in the field of amateur astronomy. The main philosophy around the book is that one does not have to spend thousands of dollars on telescopes, mounts, lens', etc in order to enjoy the hobby at a very high level. This was something that was very important to me since I do not have a very large budget for purchasing my first serious amateur telescope.

It is also worth mentioning that the authors are very biased torwards using Newtonian Reflector telescopes with Dobsonian style mounts, however they do cover all of the telescope types and thier respective advantages, disadvantages, etc.

Overall, this book is a must purchase for anyone who is interested in amateur astronomy and who is looking for that first step. There is information in this book that will also appeal to the more experienced telescope enthusiasts, especially where the telescope modifications are concerned. Amateur Astronomy can get quite expensive and this book will certainly save many beginners from needlessly wasting money on telescopes and equipment!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Full of good info!
This book covers the little things that the other books seem to miss. The authors tell you about dressing for colder temperatures than the thermometer shows because you are not... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Rusty Hill
Unique Information Entertainingly Presented
I've been interested in amateur astronomy for over twenty years, have a large collection of astronomy books, and have read far more than I've collected. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Jerome Beck
Beginning Astronomy Tips and Tools
This is a book every amateur astronomer should own. This book is full of tips that will help to make you better in the hobby. It covers alot of material from hardware to software. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Craig Dokken
Good and interesting, better used as a modern complement to other...
This is a good and informative book that is amusing to read. It is hard to add anything to what has already been written in these reviews but here comes my little contribution. Read more
Published 20 months ago by cincosauces
Slightly silly title for a great book
While it is true that this book is "biased" in the sense that it concentrates mainly on Dobsonion Reflectors (and the cover is therefore somewhat misleading), that doesn't bother... Read more
Published on January 10, 2010 by P. Beach
Boring and nearly useless
I don't know which is sadder, that this miserable and embarrassing book exists - or is it a marketing brochure for the eyepiece industry? Read more
Published on August 18, 2009 by D. R. Lunsford
Stellar (pun intended)
I ordered this book encouraged by enthusiastic user reviews, and it actually surpassed my wildest expectations. The book will guide, teach and even entertain you. Read more
Published on May 1, 2009 by Damir Zugec
Astronomy Hacks to the Rescue!
In this hectic world of rushing around, some of us are lucky enough to get outside and enjoy the night sky from time to time. Read more
Published on March 27, 2009 by Dave Walz-Burkett
Useful Book
This book has lots of good ideas in it.

Well worth the money.
Published on May 14, 2008 by Paul Garland
The second book you need for your telescope, after a good observing...
I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered this book. I was amazed at how well thought out the "hacks" were and the authors take the time to explain the why of the "hack" with... Read more
Published on April 8, 2008 by James Lummel
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Inside This Book (learn more)
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
altitude hubs, altitude pads, azimuth pads, premium eyepieces, urban observing, eyepiece collection, eyepiece chart, finder mount, jug washers, slower scope, finder circle, eyepiece height, drift testing, actual amplification factor, inexpensive scopes, optical finder, observing buddies, spider vanes, occulting bar, equatorial platform, apo refractor, fast scopes, eyepiece case, planetarium software, site etiquette
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Accessory Hacks, Observing Hacks, Getting Started, Messier Marathon, Scope Hacks, Tele Vue, Ebony Star, Orion Ultrascopic, Cartes du Ciel, Guan Sheng, Celestron Ultima, Time Object, You've Got, Orion Scenix, Bubble Nebula, Same Field, Milky Way, Paul Jones, Powermate Field Field Pupil, Palm of Your Hand, Field Field Pupil Eyepiece Mag, Sky Atlas, Slow Down, Make the Evening Last, Choose the Best General-Purpose Telescope
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