Michael Swanson’s online discussions with literally thousands of NexStar owners made it clear that there was a desperate need for a book such as this – one that provides a complete, detailed guide to buying, using and maintaining NexStar telescopes. Although this book is highly comprehensive, it is suitable for beginners – there is a chapter on "Astronomy Basics" – and experts alike. Celestron’s NexStar telescopes were introduced in 1999, beginning with their first computer controlled "go to" model, a 5-inch. More models appeared in quick succession, and Celestron’s new range made it one of the two dominant manufacturers of affordable "go to" telescopes.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
SKY & TELESCOPE (DECEMBER 2004) "I knew all I needed to know about my scope, didn’t I? … The NexStar User’s Guide by Michael Swanson answers that question with a resounding No." … Swanson includes thorough, model-specific descriptions of the all the telescope functions, care and maintenance, accessories, and numerous advanced topics. You’ll find advice on how to fine-tune your alignment so that a new target will fall within the eyepiece’s field of view every time you slew. I used to be pleased if that happened two or three times in a night. And are you tormented by backlash? Do you hit the hand paddle’s arrow keys to nudge the aim and have to count to four before the scope actually moves? I was vaguely aware that my 8-inch had backlash compensation settings, but I had never bothered trying to adjust them. And now? Oh, the joy of (almost) backlash-free observing! I was surprised by the difference these small improvements made in the pleasure of my observing experience. Besides owning two NexStars, Swanson’s major credential for writing this book is his NexStar Resource Site (www.nexstarsite.com), which is the precursor to the Guide … The author suggests, and I concur, that the book and the Web site be used in tandem. … [The book’s] true advantage comes from its friendly approach and sound advice based on the personal experiences of the author and other avid NexStar users."
About the Author
Michael Swanson's day job is Technical Manager of Information Systems at the U.S. Navy hospital in Okinawa, Japan. His night jobs have included teaching computer science at the local community college and raising two sons.A chance association via an Internet discussion group lead to an introduction to members of the management team at Celestron, providing a valuable technical resource that made this book possible.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is excellent. This text provides all the information you will need to troubleshoot your nexstar system. I have recommended that it be shipped with each nexstar telescope sold.
Celestron could save a lot of time answering questions if they would do so.
Celestron could save a lot of time answering questions if they would do so.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I recently purchased a Celestron 9.25" Nexstar telescope. The scope is great but the owner's manual that came with it leaves a lot to be desired. After just a quick scan of Swanson's book, I discovered several useful tips that I have already put to use (e.g., how to position the index marking decal that had come off; the Nexstar Resource site; and the availability of a template from Starizona for making it easier to put the scope on the tripod). Anyone thinking about buying a Celeston Nexstar scope should consider purchasing this book.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a must have for all Celestron Nexstar owners. The book is very well written, including plain English descriptions of many astronomy terms and concepts. The book covers a lot, and includes information for all models. Its an excellent reference guide and provides a very complete set of instructions for many of the difficulties that a user is likely to encounter while using their scope. It looks like a lot of research went into writing it, and has the potential of saving the reader hours and hours of time researching how to get the most out of their telescope.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Dept of Redundancy department
This is essentially a regurgitation of the owner'e pamphlet. and a rehash of fundamentals of Astronomy....total waste of $$$
Published 19 months ago by Roger O. Campbell
Good but very very dated
The content of the book may be relevant and useful if you own or are interested in any of the older model Celestron telescopes discussed. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Garvey
Go to telescopes
Found the NexStar Users Guide to be extremely helpful in setting up and using a "Go To" telescope. Most of the information can be applied to any telescope brand that uses this... Read more
Published on September 14, 2009 by Marine 61
out of date
I bought this with NexStar 6SE which is not covered in the book. I know most of the contents still applies to mine. Read more
Published on August 2, 2009 by Baby Astronomer
Good Information for NexStar owners
This review is only for owners of NexStar telescopes, or those thinking about purchasing one. If you are not in this class of people, then there are other books that you might... Read more
Published on June 3, 2009 by Kenny
NexStar bible
A terrific resource jock full of insights on the NexStar line of scopes. Some of the material not exactly applies to my scope (NextStar 8 SE), e.g. Read more
Published on July 15, 2008 by T. Kepler
The NexStar User's Guide
A user guide which covers many aspects of the Nexstar telescope line, a must have.
Published on May 12, 2008 by Ric
The NexStar User's Guide
An excellent book because of the care and thoroughness with which it was written. However, so many new products and improved models have been developed since the book was written,... Read more
Published on March 18, 2008 by John Huntsberger
The NexStar User's Guide
The volume has tons of need to know information about Celestron NexStar Telescopes as well as general astronomy issues. Read more
Published on February 23, 2008 by David H. Jelle
should be included with the scope
Excellent book. Gives great advice on key elements for using this scope. Helped a lot in understanding how to select appropriate eyepieces. Read more
Published on February 17, 2008 by Francois Coutlee
Inside This Book
(learn more)
First Sentence:
It was a dark and stormy night... Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
computerized hand control, telescope replies, bino viewers, corrector cell, nut underneath the base, second alignment star, focuser tube, first alignment star, two alignment stars, dew strip, manual hand control, new hand control, pinched optics, two star alignment, eyepiece projection adapters, focuser knob, slew limits, remove this nut, wedge alignment, fork arm, break cleaner, optical tube, altitude axis, nylon disks, dew shield Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Virtual Sky, Southern Hemisphere, Northern Hemisphere, User's Guide Figure, Auto Alignment, Baader Planetarium, Resource Site, Time Skip, Scope Setup, Ray's Bracket, Auto Guide, Setup Time-Site, Tele Vue, South Alignment, Heavy Duty Tripod, Great Red Spot, Mario Mariani, Star Pointer, Alpine Astronomical, Astronomy Basics, Baader Bracket, Skip Increment, Software Bisque, Vernon Riley, View Time-Site New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
It was a dark and stormy night... Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
computerized hand control, telescope replies, bino viewers, corrector cell, nut underneath the base, second alignment star, focuser tube, first alignment star, two alignment stars, dew strip, manual hand control, new hand control, pinched optics, two star alignment, eyepiece projection adapters, focuser knob, slew limits, remove this nut, wedge alignment, fork arm, break cleaner, optical tube, altitude axis, nylon disks, dew shield Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Virtual Sky, Southern Hemisphere, Northern Hemisphere, User's Guide Figure, Auto Alignment, Baader Planetarium, Resource Site, Time Skip, Scope Setup, Ray's Bracket, Auto Guide, Setup Time-Site, Tele Vue, South Alignment, Heavy Duty Tripod, Great Red Spot, Mario Mariani, Star Pointer, Alpine Astronomical, Astronomy Basics, Baader Bracket, Skip Increment, Software Bisque, Vernon Riley, View Time-Site New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 20
books:
See all 20 books this book cites
- Star Ware: The Amateur Astronomer's Guide to Choosing, Buying, and Using Telescopes and Accessories by Philip S. Harrington on page 45, and page 173
- Astrophotography for the Amateur by Michael A. Covington on page 193, and page 194
- Astronomical Equipment for Amateurs (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) by Martin Mobberley in Front Matter
- Light Pollution: Responses and Remedies (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) by Bob Mizon in Front Matter
- Practical Amateur Spectroscopy by Stephen F. Tonkin in Front Matter
See all 20 books this book cites
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