Amateur astronomy is becoming increasingly popular, mostly because of the availability of relatively low-cost astronomical telescopes such as the Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutovs. The author describes what these instruments will do, how to use them, and which are the best - he draws on 25-years of experience with telescopes. There are sections on accessories, observing techniques, and hints and tips on: cleaning, collimating, maintaining the telescope, mounting, using the telescope in various conditions, computer control, and imaging (wet, digital and CCD). This is the perfect book for amateur astronomers who are about to invest in a new Schmidt-Cassegrain or Maksutov telescope, or for those who already have one and want to get the most out of it.
"Uncle" Rod Mollise is familiar to amateur astronomers as the author of numerous books and magazine articles on every aspect of astronomy. He is most well-known, however, for his books on SCTs; especially his latest one, _Choosing and Using a New CAT_ (Springer), which has become the standard reference for these popular instruments.
Rod's previous book, _The Urban Astronomer's Guide_ was designed to help the many amateurs who must do most of their observing from light polluted urban and suburban backyards enjoy the deep sky, and has proven to be very popular with both novice and veteran astronomers.
Rod's writings can also be found in astronomy magazines including _Sky and Telescope_, Amateur Astronomy Magazine, Astronomy Technology Today, and on numerous online forums including his website, Rod's Astro Land:
http://skywatch.brainiac.com/astroland
Uncle Rod is an engineer by profession, but he also finds time to teach astronomy to undergraduates at the University of South Alabama in Mobile.
When he's not on the road speaking at star parties and astronomy clubs, Rod shares a rambling old Victorian home,"Chaos Manor South," in Mobile's historic Garden District, with his wonderful wife, Dorothy, three cats and, at last count, twelve telescopes.
