I can't recommend Night Watch enough for a beginner. Dickinson's information is essential in beginning to understand how to observe the sky (day or night), how to select and purchase astronomical gear, and it comes with many sky charts to get you started with observation and with astrophotography. It is a delight to read and packed with useful and interesting information that is easy to understand even for those with little or no previous knowledge of astronomy. And the photographs are many and marvelous!
The "but..." in my title refers to that fact that, as a few reviewers have noted, Night Watch is very much a BOOK in addition to a guide. This means that the charts and the tips on how to actually use them are surrounded by lots of TEXT. I love the text and think it is helpful and interesting, but it is important to read Night Watch BEFORE heading out to your backyard to stargaze. Otherwise you might be jaded like a reviewer or two I have seen who wait to crack open the book until their are outside itching to locate the Whirlpool Galaxy. If you already have some knowledge of stargazing and are looking for a quick grab-and-go handbook with long, detailed lists of objects to locate, you aren't looking for Night Watch.
In conclusion, BEGINNERS - purchase with confidence! Dickinson can help anyone start stargazing, understand the mysteries of the objects in our skies, and purchase their first pair of binoculars or telescope. Night Watch may be the only observing guide you'll need. For the truly hard-core and those who own/will buy a telescope, I recommend also investing in a subscription to Astronomy magazine or Sky & Telescope. Don't forget your red flashlight - red to preserve your night vision. Dickinson mentions wrapping a flashlight in "red plastic," but he should add my very favorite old tip - buy a roll of red tail light tape and stick it on one of the old flashlights you've got lying around. Very cheap and effective!
NON-BEGINNERS, if you're just looking for a long list of objects to find and how to find them, look elsewhere.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
There is a newer edition of this item:
Frequently bought together
This item: NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
$25.58
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Aug 7
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
+
+
$29.94
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Reviews with images
This is my second purchase of this book. It's ...
This is my second purchase of this book. It's so colorful I had to buy it again. To give to a friend thank you again
Top reviews from other countries
Matheus
Livro sensacional!
Reviewed in Brazil on May 20, 2024
Matheus
Reviewed in Brazil on May 20, 2024
Images in this review
Henry Tonkin
I highly recommend this book to anyone thinking of buying a telescope.
Reviewed in Canada on November 16, 2022
Uday C.
A must buy for Amateur Astronomers
Reviewed in India on July 10, 2022
Uday C.
Reviewed in India on July 10, 2022
I have completed the 1st 4 chapters to confidently say that it was the right decision to start the journey. Book begins with fascination of the night sky, continues to explain the scale of our solar system, galaxy & finally the entire visible universe of now.
The explanation of the scale give a good foundation to begin to grasp the scope & scale of the stars while looking at the then in the night sky either it be naked eye, binoculars or with telescope.
Next comes the guide on how to identify the Star with maps. Didn't get to see anything till now due to cloudy sky locally but, am confident that I will know where and how to look for them. 5 Star for the book.
Images in this review
SimonM
One of the best astronomy books
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 18, 2022
