A superb guidebook described in Bookwatch as 'the home astronomer's "bible"', Turn Left at Orion provides all the information beginning amateur astronomers need to observe the Moon, the planets and a whole host of celestial objects. Large format diagrams show these objects exactly as they appear in a small telescope and for each object there is information on the current state of our astronomical knowledge. Revised and updated, this new edition contains a chapter with ten new spreads describing spectacular deep sky objects visible from the southern hemisphere, and tips on observing the upcoming transits of Venus. It also discusses Dobsonian telescopes, with hints on using personal computers and the Internet as aids for planning an observing session. Also new to this edition are redrawn "Guidepost" figures at the beginning of each season chapter that allow readers to visualize a three-dimensional view of the sky's dome; redesigned seasonal object layouts that provide more space for the naked-eye charts; a new spread on double stars near Boötes has been added to Spring, replacing the "Shrinking Double" spread; and a unique "When and Where to Look" table has been added to the last page, among other new features. Unlike many guides to the night sky, this book is specifically written for observers using small telescopes. Clear and easy to use, this fascinating book will appeal to skywatchers of all ages and backgrounds. No previous knowledge of astronomy is needed.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"...an excellent book for small telescope users...As the resurgence in small telescopes continues, this book will be of use to all users of such instruments. Since many of the objects covered in Turn Left at Orion can be seen from light-polluted skies, this book is a valuable asset even if you live in a large urban area." Deep Sky
"...should be packaged with every first telescope. It's as nearly perfect as such a book can be." Sky & Telescope
"...for those intent on doing some serious observing with a small telescope, Turn Left at Orion has much to recommend it." Stardust
"I think the format is perfect for beginners but even more advanced observers may learn a thing or two. It's like having one of the KAS's many experts right next to you at your 'scope! It is commonly available in bookstores and libraries (including the KAS library). Two thumbs up (both of mine)." - Robert Havira, Cloudy Nights Telescope Reviews
"...should be packaged with every first telescope. It's as nearly perfect as such a book can be." Sky & Telescope
"...for those intent on doing some serious observing with a small telescope, Turn Left at Orion has much to recommend it." Stardust
"I think the format is perfect for beginners but even more advanced observers may learn a thing or two. It's like having one of the KAS's many experts right next to you at your 'scope! It is commonly available in bookstores and libraries (including the KAS library). Two thumbs up (both of mine)." - Robert Havira, Cloudy Nights Telescope Reviews
Book Description
Turn Left at Orion is a guidebook for beginning amateur astronomers, containing all the information needed to find over a hundred celestial objects. This revised edition includes tips on observing the upcoming transits of Venus and describes spectacular deep sky objects visible from the southern hemisphere. It also includes hints on using personal computers and the internet as aids for planning an observing session. Unlike many guides to the night sky, this book is specifically written for observers using small telescopes and will appeal to skywatchers of all ages and backgrounds.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
244 of 245 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Too many amateur astronomy books are haughty, if not insulting, about the mass of small telescopes that people buy or receive as gifts. Sidebars like "Trash Scope Blues" are an example.
This book, written by two professional astronomers, points out that the small telescope of today is the magnificent instrument beyond the dreams of Galileo or Messier*. With that foundation in place they proceed to lead you through the night sky to view the most interesting objects for small telescopes.
They begin with the deepest coverage of the moon that I have encountered yet. There are separate sections for each phase of the moon detailing highlights of what is unique at that time of the month.
Then they tour the night sky, season by season. Their directions to find items of interest don't presume that you know the constellations. Instead, in "Where to Look" they start with the bright, easy to find stars, and from there walk you over to the item. They assist your search by describing what you'll see in the finder scope and the telescope and have illustrations of what you will actually see in the telescope. (Not some picture taken by an observatory or the Hubble telescope.) In "Comments" they describe what you'll see, suggest the eyepiece to use to get the most of the view, and give details about just what that thing is.
All objects are given a 1 to 4 telescope rating to help you choose the fun ones first. The Orion Nebula is an exception that receives a 5 telescope rating: easy to find, viewable in city light haze, with different interesting views at low and high power.
Of the half dozen astronomy books I've looked over this is the hands down best book for the new owner of a telescope to have. More than any other book, it will help you get the most from your telescope. *Never heard of Messier? Most non-astronomers haven't Charles Messier hunted the skys for comets and kept coming across things that, at first glance, might be a comet. After figuring out that they weren't comets, he kept a record of them so he wouldn't waste time on them again. As it turns out this list contains some of the neatest things to see in the night sky.
112 of 113 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had a telescope sitting in a corner looking pretty but gathering dust for three years, until I found this book. "Turn Left at Orion" has turned me on to amateur astronomy because of its straightforward, assume-nothing presentations. Using this book at my own pace, I've begun to learn the night sky and get excited about using my scope. Even though I live in the city, I find myself gazing skyward every clear night, browsing a now-familiar sky. There are other aids you'll need as an amateur astronomer, but nothing I've seen is more perfect for a beginner.
95 of 101 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
In the Belmont Society, Turn Left at Orion is one of those enduring staples that eventually becomes an icon of eminent preservation. It's been handed down through the membership as a benchmark of highly valued works, which we've long ago earmarked for its educational value. Back on the lecture circuit some years ago, this was one of those books we always recommended as "required reading" for the beginner, along with (among others) Sagan's Cosmos, and The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Dickinson. Each became tremendously popular for different reasons, and each could hold its own as a reference for different levels of interest. Over the years the "List" has grown to include six books, and although none have been added in recent times, a few have come very close (i.e. - O'Meara's Messier Objects deserves Honorable Mention).
As a result, Turn Left at Orion remains after all these years, one of the six essential works, which we regard as required reading by the beginning amateur astronomer. Though not part of my personal collection until recently, it has been at my disposal for many years. I keep meaning to review it, but something always comes up, not the least of which was the recent printing of a 3rd edition.
The work is co-authored by Guy Consolmagno, a Jesuit Brother at the Vatican Observatory; and Dan M. Davis, professor of geophysics at the State University of New York. Between them they conspired to create a work that reflects a singular passion for viewing celestial objects with small telescopes (emphasis on small). In fact, the combined aperture of both authors' instruments is somewhat less than the singular average among beginning-amateur telescopes. One is a 3.5-inch Cassegrain, and the other is a 2.5-inch refractor. Nevertheless, with these small instruments they were able to create a first-rate work of impressive magnitude. Simplistic means to extraordinary ends.
I was introduced to the order of Jesuits as a youngster growing up in New England. Even at that young age I was profoundly inspired by the notion that science could be passionately embraced (and accurately promoted) in concert with unwavering religious faith. Almost any science buff knows full well that astronomy and religion run like oil and water through the veins of history. And because this work represents such a remarkable beacon of parallel encounter, I am somewhat disappointed in myself for not doing this earlier. But now, so much has been said about this book that there seems a trite redundancy in plugging it. Oh well.
Pioneers and discoverers like Galileo and Messier were themselves saddled with equipment that can easily be considered pathetic by today's standards (both optically and mechanically). However, countless thousands of celestial objects were acquired, catalogued, and studied using archaic equipment of the sort. The point being, that you don't have to bribe the evening sky with money or fat-free technology to see what it's hiding. You merely need to coax it slightly to reveal some of its treasures. The knowledge of what places to do your coaxing is where Turn Left at Orion excels so remarkably.
On page 202, authors Consolmagno and Davis re-endorse one of life's most poorly understood allegations - "There is no such thing as a bad telescope". If you find yourself in conflict with that statement then you're missing out on a golden tenet of amateur astronomy, and most likely some of the fun that goes along with it. Because it really doesn't matter what caliber of instrument you use to enhance your view of the night sky. For even some of the most tenuous tidbits in the Messier catalog are revealed in binoculars of moderate size - still considered far superior to anything Messier could have ever laid his hands on. Get the picture?
Turn Left at Orion begins with a basic introduction of the evening sky, and a brief overview of "how to use this book", which from experience I can honestly testify that few authors can resist. From there, we go through some discussion of the moon, and a few major planets. Then it's on to the main course, which begins with the Winter constellations Taurus and Auriga and some of their celestial wonders - including the Pleiades open cluster and the famous Crab Nebula. A hundred and eighty pages later we're looking at a double cluster in Perseus. In between, we're shown where to look for a globular cluster in Lyra and the famous double star Albireo in Cygnus. A hundred or so interesting objects are presented and illustrated. Very little is missed or left out for the beginner, or for users of small telescopes.
We are first shown where each object is located within a broad view of the sky. Minimal sky-conditions, best times of year to observe, recommended eyepieces and telescope types are graphically illustrated at each heading. We see what the object looks like in a finder-scope, plus what it looks like in the telescope's eyepiece (and at different powers). This book shows you exactly how to get each object in the eyepiece! Really good stuff.
Beyond this, the 3rd edition includes some fare from the Southern Hemisphere (Eta Carinae, 47 Tucanae, and the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds to name a few). A complete index is provided, along with a fairly good glossary for the beginner.
This is a wonderful book; a lot of fun; and extremely useful for nearly all age groups. Great for binocular users too. Recommended not just for the beginning amateur, but also as a teaching tool for some advanced observers who occasionally look for ways to entertain or educate others at the eyepiece. Then too, we've been known to pick it up and browse it just for fun. Secretaries and officers: - put a few copies in your club's library.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
One of the first books for anyone looking up at night.
One of the first books anyone new to looking up at the night with any kind of optics.
This book will let you know if you are going to be a 8" telescope person or a 16"... Read more
This book will let you know if you are going to be a 8" telescope person or a 16"... Read more
Published 2 months ago by MnWild
Obsolete edition as of Dec 2011
REVIEW OF KINDLE EDITION (WHICH IS NOT YET THE NEWLY-PUBLISHED VERSION)
Absolutely love this book - and would recommend it highly to anyone with a telescope who feels... Read more
Absolutely love this book - and would recommend it highly to anyone with a telescope who feels... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Michael R. Scott
A game-changer
There are already a large number of reviews out there for this book and these have done a great job. What to add? Read more
Published 5 months ago by R. Campbell
A must have book
If you are new to astronomy and can only afford two books then this is one of the two. The other book is titled "Through the Telescope, A Guide for the Amateur Astronomer"... Read more
Published 9 months ago by D. Hunter
Good initiation but better as paperback.
It is written in a clear style which will tell you exactly what you see like a friend would do. For that the book would deserve a 5 star. Read more
Published 14 months ago by K. Binder
An ideal companion for amatuer astronomers
I purchased this book as a recommendation from "The Internet" and I am very pleased with the purchase. Read more
Published 17 months ago by tbf2010
Good for all ages
Excellent book for those just getting started. Most books assume that you are going to be using a very big telescope or that you aspire to discover a new planet. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Kelli
Great beginner book
Turn Left at Orion is the perfect book for an astronomy newbie like myself. Starting with generalized information about astronomy and small telescopes it then goes onto detailed... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Vladimir Ilyich
Great book.
Great book for anyone with a scope, small and large alike. I have an 8" Orion dobsonian, this book is a perfect starter. Read more
Published 21 months ago by andrewski
Buy this book
This is the fourth copy of TURN LEFT AT ORION that I have purchased since it was originally purchased. Read more
Published 22 months ago by JOHN STANFIELD
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Getting Oriented: The Moon is rich and complex in a small telescope; under high power, you can get lost in a jumble of craters and all the mare regions seem to meld together. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
planetary nebula, triple star, finderscope view, finderscope field, brilliant orange star, eighth magnitude star, very bright red star, fourth magnitude star, fifth magnitude star, brilliant blue star, mare regions, good dark night, lowest power eyepiece, lumpy patch, seasonal objects, mare material, finder field, magnitude companion, averted vision, primary star, open cluster, dimmer stars, small telescope, finder charts, steady night Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Best Seen, Milky Way, Full Moon, Star Magnitude Color Location, Big Dipper, New Moon, Cor Caroli, White Primary Star, Kaus Borealis, Omega Centauri, Alpha Centauri, Sigma Orionis, Iota Cassiopeiae, Summer Triangle, Ras Algethi, Southern Cross, False Cross, Andromeda Galaxy, Locate the Great Square, Find Orion, Magellanic Clouds, Zeta Tauri, Epsilon Cassiopeiae, Zeta Boötis, The Beehive New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Getting Oriented: The Moon is rich and complex in a small telescope; under high power, you can get lost in a jumble of craters and all the mare regions seem to meld together. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
planetary nebula, triple star, finderscope view, finderscope field, brilliant orange star, eighth magnitude star, very bright red star, fourth magnitude star, fifth magnitude star, brilliant blue star, mare regions, good dark night, lowest power eyepiece, lumpy patch, seasonal objects, mare material, finder field, magnitude companion, averted vision, primary star, open cluster, dimmer stars, small telescope, finder charts, steady night Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Best Seen, Milky Way, Full Moon, Star Magnitude Color Location, Big Dipper, New Moon, Cor Caroli, White Primary Star, Kaus Borealis, Omega Centauri, Alpha Centauri, Sigma Orionis, Iota Cassiopeiae, Summer Triangle, Ras Algethi, Southern Cross, False Cross, Andromeda Galaxy, Locate the Great Square, Find Orion, Magellanic Clouds, Zeta Tauri, Epsilon Cassiopeiae, Zeta Boötis, The Beehive 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 8
books:
See all 8 books this book cites
3
books
cite this book:
- Observing the Sun (Practical Astronomy Handbooks) by Peter O. Taylor on page 211
- Cambridge Astronomy Guide by William Liller on page 211
- The Guide to Amateur Astronomy by Jack Newton on page 211
- Practical Astronomy by Storm Dunlop on page 211
- Advanced Amateur Astronomy by Gerald North on page 211
See all 8 books this book cites
- Brother Astronomer: Adventures of a Vatican Scientist by Guy Consolmagno in Back Matter, and Back Cover
- Stikky Night Skies by Laurence Holt in Back Matter
- Hands-On Astronomy: A Cambridge Guide to Equipment and Accessories by Hervé Burillier in Back Matter
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