Customer Reviews

Secrets of Stargazing: Skywatching Tips and Tricks (Sky & Telescope: Astronomy for Everyone)

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This is an excellent and complete survey of all the little tricks and big lessons that will turn a novice stargazer into a wise observer in no time. I've been an amateur astronomer for 50 years and it took many of those years for me to learn the secrets that are painlessly shared in this book. If you are interested in astronomy and want to quickly learn more, you can't beat this book for an amazing jump-start. Highly recommended!

the book is one that should be read before buying a telescope. easily readable, many helpful hints for novices and how to get started without the many fustrations that could take away the enjoyment possibilities. a good guide to use befor you began stargaZing and many helpful information to proceed from a novice to higher levels.

Got this book while I was helping my daughter work on her sky searcher badge for girl scouts. Great book for a beginner. My daughter read it cover to cover.

If you read this before buying gear, you can expect months of fun out late in the quiet of the night, peering deep into the heavens. Becky Ramotowski is a practical-minded science journalist with a wonderful way of conveying her passion to get you going in stargazing. In about two hours' read, she will not stall you out in ultra-techy nuance. This is a primer with just enough of the nuts and bolts of choosing gear and getting your logistics sorted that you're guaranteed to start off well-orientated.

After you get through Ramotowski, you might then check out another solid intermediate book, the Thompsons' "Astronomy Hacks: Tips and Tools for Observing the Night Sky" from O'Reilly. It's not exhaustive, but has great practical advice, and is a good next lesson.

Ramotowski also, thankfully, dispenses with the too-often-patronizing overview of the science of the sky -- The ever-so-ho-hum "Here's what makes a star glow" chapters -- which you practically pick up by osmosis from any of the thousands of books available on the subject. If you're looking for a book that will both get you started with that and keep you engrossed for just as many months, the standout book is still Martin Rees' "Universe." It's easily the most breathtaking coffeetable read ever published by DK.