The Backyard Astronomer's Guide (Hardcover)

~ Terence Dickinson (Author), Alan Dyer (Author)
Key Phrases: double cluster, adjustment layers, bino viewers, Milky Way, Alan Dyer, Tele Vue (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Despite the book's title, there is very little about astronomy here, i.e., lists of constellations, star charts, night sky maps, or details about planets, stars, and galaxies. However, there is a wealth of information about the equipment used in astronomy, including prices, consumer-type information, advice on when to use and when not to use binoculars, telescopes, cameras, film, lenses, filters, and other items for the amateur astronomer. Four chapters, though, concern the observation of the solar system and deep space objects. There are also several chapters discussing the photographing of all types of astronomical phenomena. Though cost may deter small-to-medium-sized libraries, there is much information here for the experienced amateur, and some useful information for the beginner as well. (Illustrations and index not seen.)-- Robert Ellis Potter, Dunedin P.L., Fla.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Dickinson and Dyer have brought their excellent guide further into the 21st century. I can't recommend it highly enough. (Sean Walker Sky and Telescope )

Magnificently illustrated and superb... a beautiful and informative resource for the amateur astronomer, both the beginner and the experienced. (Denise A. Garofalo American Reference Book Annual )

With over 500 color photographs and illustrations, this book is a valuable, beautiful and user-friendly astronomy reference. (Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin )

[Review of earlier edition:] A real treat for the eyes. It's loaded with colorful photographs, graphics and information boxes. (John McPhee Halifax Chronicle-Herald )

[Review of earlier edition:] Big colorful user-friendly book ... This book is your passport to the stars. (David Aguilar Sky and Telescope 200812)

[Review of earlier edition:] Crammed with practical information that should help you become a better observer, and have fun. (Craig Tupper Astronomy )

[Review of earlier edition:] Excellent introductory text ... completely revised... it is lushly illustrated in color throughout. (Ursula Ellis E-Streams, Vol. 6, No. 4 2004)

[Review of earlier edition:] Few books capture the spirit of the hobby so well. (American Scientist 20030501)

[Review of earlier edition:] I highly recommend this volume for most amateur astronomers and all libraries. (John O. Christensen Science Books and Films 20031015)

[Review of earlier edition:] Indispensable tool for any serious naturalist. (Pierre R. Gauthier Canadian Camera 08-09)

[Review of earlier edition:] Its nontechnical language makes astronomy an avocation accessible to everyone. (Library Journal 20090401)

[Review of earlier edition:] Lively, accessible style; is comprehensive; and is lavishly illustrated... highly recommended for any library. (Mark Wilson American Reference Books Annual, Volume 35 20030104)

[Review of earlier edition:] More than any other guide to backyard observing, this excellent book focuses on equipment. (Astronomy 200411)

[Review of earlier edition:] One of the most attractive practical astronomy works ever produced. (Russ Francis Monday Magazine 200301)

[Review of earlier edition:] Recommended for all libraries and for experienced or inexperienced amateur astronomers. (A.R. Upgren Choice 20030201)

[Review of earlier edition:] This all-encompassing reference provides practical advice. (Science News 200305)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books; Enlarged 3rd edition (September 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554073448
• ISBN-13: 978-1554073443
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,805 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

179 of 181 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do not consider buying this book, June 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Backyard Astronomer's Guide (Hardcover)

You should not consider buying this book. You should just buy it. I held off purchasing it since I already knew a fair bit (or so I thought) about amateur astronomy, had already bought a great telescope and a bunch of accessories, and I knew of many other more specialized resources for specific topics (what to look at, astrophotography, physics of the objects we look at, where to find star parties and so on). Plus, published in 1991, it seemed like the book was bound to be outdated soon. However I ended up purchasing it, and reading this thing is a truly eye-opening experience. It is hard to imagine a more well-rounded, well-written, enjoyable and authoritative text on amateur astronomy. It covers many topics but somehow manages to avoid treating them superficially. Sure, if you get deeply into photography or optical design you'll want to get single-topic references. And you still need a star chart! But this book will help you get off and running in all phases of amateur astronomy. If you read this, you'll be transformed immediately from a beginner to one of the people "in the know" in your astronomy club and your enjoyment of the hobby will be heightened greatly.

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amateur's Guide gets a celestial makeover, February 26, 2004

By	Brian Tung (Marina del Rey, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Backyard Astronomer's Guide (Hardcover)

Terence Dickinson is perhaps the leading writer of English-language amateur astronomy books; his Nightwatch is rightly considered one of the best introductions to the night sky and how to observe it. It covers the broad range of amateur astronomy admirably, from science to equipment to observing tactics. One of the only glaring drawbacks to the book is that it is simply too short.

The Backyard Astronomer's Guide is an able sequel. Written with fellow Canadian amateur Alan Dyer, it goes further in depth than does Nightwatch. Because it also goes into specifics in recommending telescopes and accessories, however, it quickly grew out of date. A somewhat updated and revised edition came out in 1994, but more than eight years have passed since then, and most of the models described there have been discontinued, although a few workhorses have continued to the present day.

Now, at last, this book is available in a true second edition. The changes are at once obvious and subtle. Obvious, in that the production is stunning: the old photos, mostly black-and-white, have been replaced by beautiful full-color images of the night sky and detailed diagrams of equipment. Subtle, in that the table of contents reads almost the same; it's not so much the inherent content that has changed so much as how it's presented.

One chapter from the first edition that has disappeared is one entitled "Ten Myths About Telescopes and Observing." In the first edition, this chapter was praised by reviewers and readers alike (and excoriated by some other readers, too!); it undoubtedly surpassed Dickinson and Dyer's expectations in terms of the amount of discussion it engendered. Whether you agree with them or not, they have at least educated their readers about the dispute over these myths. It's hardly the case that anyone makes claims like "Images Appear Brighter in Fast Telescopes" (Myth #2 from the 1994 edition) without being challenged.

Perhaps because of that, and also because Dickinson and Dyer may have felt that it was more important to make sure that beginners (who might buy this book without buying Nightwatch first) were able to use their equipment effectively, the myths chapter has been replaced by an introduction to using telescopes. Like all the other chapters, this one is lavishly illustrated and finely detailed, enough so that one can follow along, step-by-step, in assembling and orienting a telescope and its mount. For example, nearly a full page is devoted to getting a telescope on a GEM, or German Equatorial Mount, to cross the meridian, a tough task for beginners to figure out on their own.

Also substantially changed in presentation is the chapter on finding your way around the night sky. The vagaries of navigation, the celestial sphere, and the nightly movements of the planets, are here illustrated by several pages of diagrams, printed from a number of different planetarium programs. This book has definitely felt the impact of computer visualization of the sky.

Elsewhere, the material has been updated more than changed. New equipment has replaced old equipment, and some of that old equipment now appears in a "classics" category--things to look for in the used telescopes bin. There is a new spin on the chapter on accessories: these have been divided into must-haves, nice-to-haves, and don't-haves. (Much to my surprise, the two-dollar eye patch that I find so handy to relieve strain on my right eye--I'm left-eyed--has been unceremoniously dumped in the don't-have category.)

Should you buy this book? If you don't have it yet, and you'd like a comprehensive, easy-to-understand reference, this is the one. There really is nothing else like it on the market today. If you have one of the older editions, the decision is harder. Certainly, there's enough overlap that you can probably find out newer information from various sources without spending the same amount of money. But it's hard to get it all in one place, and the new edition certainly is a visual treat.

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book before you buy any astronomy equipment!, July 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Backyard Astronomer's Guide (Hardcover)

I picked this book up and didn't put it down until I had read it from front to back. It covers everything from equipment and star atlases, to techniques for finding objects and photographing them. Every page has wonderful illustrations, all photographed or drawn by backyard astronomers

Rather than spreading itself too thin, "The Backyard Astronomer's Guide" concentrates on backyard astronomy as a hobby, staying away from much of the science behind the objects we view. This is one of the book's best qualities. The science and naturalization of objects in the sky is important, but there are plenty of other books dealing with this subject.

The authors have a lot of experience in backyard astronomy, and it shows.