Beginner's Guide to Amateur Astronomy: An Owner's Manual for the Night Sky (Astronomy Library) [Paperback]

David J. Eicher (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 166 pages
• Publisher: Kalmbach Pub Co (August 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0913135186
• ISBN-13: 978-0913135181
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,531,008 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4.0 out of 5 stars A light pollution anecdote, August 26, 2010

By 

G. Cliff (Altrincham, Cheshire United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beginner's Guide to Amateur Astronomy: An Owner's Manual for the Night Sky (Astronomy Library) (Paperback)

This image of the front cover was taken from Timperley, in England in 1990, by Graham T. Sinagola after a visit to Jodrell Bank in Cheshire.
The telescope in the silhouette was pictured then and appeared in a UK astro mag as a "real" telescope at Jodrell Bank, because it had light optics hence "real" and not radio. The image was at the observatory of Altrincham and District Astronomical Society. Light pollution made this site wholly impractical to maintain as an active observatory - it has now gone, because of the light pollution in Timperley. Kids can no longer come and see the stars. Sad really after nearly 40 years - especially as the observatory was originally designed and constructed by teenagers?
The book by the way is an excellent read and frankly should be reprinted, perhaps with a chapter to deal with the light at night of the modern 24 hour day which is the cause of light pollution? It may well one day be the case that the "hidden" effects of LAN, light at night, are far worse than the problem that LP has created for astronomy? Not seeing the stars of the Milky Way may well be the least of our problems. If you can see the stars though this book will help all amateur astronomers, both young and old.