Sky Atlas for Small Telescopes and Binoculars [Paperback]

David S. Chandler; Billie E. Chandler (Author), Billie Chandler (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2002

This is the Atlas for sky observing begginers. The constellations are easy to locate, and all the objects in the atlas are within reach of binoculars or a small (2 inches or less) telescopes. The forward gives a basic overview of celestial motion. The selection of objects insures success for the beginner with the easiest to find objects in the sky. Many beginners do not know which objects are within reach of their equipment and end up frustrated and unsuccessful. This atlas describes if the object is viewable in binoculars, or a small telescope, or with the unaided eye. Descriptions of objects on a page are given on the opposing page. A

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In clear prose, the Chandlers offer a vast array of knowledge from their own experience. ... A distinguished excursion." -- The Book Reader, Fall 1996

About the Author

David Chandler has taught astronomy, physics, and mathematics at the high school and college levels since the early 1970's and is an active amateur astronomer. He has a BS in Physics from Harvey Mudd College, an MA in Education from Claremont Graduate School, and an MS in Mathematics from California Polytechnic University. He has published a number of charts and books designed to help beginners become successful in observational astronomy. Billie Chandler became interested in astronomy when her children were given a telescope by a relative. She subscribed to astronomy periodicals, took an astronomy course at a local college, and started looking into what could be seen with amateur-sized equipment. About the time Halley's Comet (1985-86) she bought a 10" Dobsonian telescope and started observing regularly, first with the Idyll Gazers in Idyllwild CA, then with the Pomona Valley Amateur Astronomers. There she met, and later married David Chandler. She is one of the first women in the United States to earn the Herschel award from the Astronomical League. She has sketched hundreds of astronomical objects at the eyepiece. Most of the descriptions in Sky Atlas for Small Telescopes and Binoculars are based on her observing notes. She currently operates David Chandler Company, which publishes astronomy software, and astronomy-related charts and literature. [e-mail]

Product Details

• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: David Chandler Co. (June 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891938061
• ISBN-13: 978-1891938061
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,849,044 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for binocular and low-power telescope observing, January 10, 2011

By 

C. S. Roy (Falls Church, Virginia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sky Atlas for Small Telescopes and Binoculars (Paperback)

Divides up the sky into north circumpolar, south circumpolar, and six swatches, the same as Norton's, which I favor as an occasional binocular observer, since it is so easy to find the map you need. (Compare 80 maps in Sinnott's Pocket Sky Atlas.) Maps are on the right page with a selection of concise data and descriptions for deep-sky objects facing on the left page. (The maps are half the size of Norton's two-pagers, therefore.)

By itself, I doubt the brief introductory material supplies enough background for a beginner. However, I would highly recommend this light weight little book to a beginner with binoculars or a small telescope as a companion to something like Richard Berry's "Discover the Stars." Berry is the best thing I know of in print to recommend to someone who wants to learn the sky, but his maps are optimized for naked eye observing under good (but not necessarily outstanding) conditions. Chandler's atlas has fainter stars you will need to assist in "hopping" your way to a deep sky object.