The Amateur Astronomer

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiii

   PDF

2. Astronomy as a Hobby

   Pages 1-2

3. The Unfolding Universe

   Pages 3-16

4. Telescopes and Observatories

   Pages 17-30

5. The Solar System

   Pages 31-40

6. The Sun

   Pages 41-49

7. The Moon

   Pages 51-66

8. Occultations and Eclipses

   Pages 67-75

9. Aurorae and the Zodiacal Light

   Pages 77-81

10. The Nearer Planets

    Pages 83-92

11. The Outer Planets

    Pages 93-103

12. Comets and Meteors

    Pages 105-118

13. The Stellar Sky

    Pages 119-125

14. The Nature of a Star

    Pages 127-131

15. Double Stars

    Pages 133-138

16. Variable Stars

    Pages 139-147

17. Star Clusters and Nebulae

    Pages 149-158

18. Galaxies

    Pages 159-165

19. Beginnings and Endings

    Pages 167-167

20. Back Matter

    Pages 169-293

    PDF

any popular books upon astronomy have been written during the Mpast few years, but most of them cater either for the casual dabbler who is content to learn from the depths of his armchair or else for the serious amateur who already knows the main facts.What I have done, or tried to do, is to strike a happy mean. This book has been aimed at the needs of the beginner who knows nothing whatsoever,but who is nevertheless anxious to make a start with what equipment he can collect at limited cost. All astronomers,professional or amateur,were beginners once,and all have had to draw upon the experience of those who have learned before them.I feel some dif?dence about offering myself as a guide,but at least I have one quali?cation: in my early days as an observer I made almost every mistake that it is possible to make! This explains the frequent occurrence of such phrases as “I once saw.…”and “I rem- ber that when I.…” I hope therefore that what I have written may prevent others from falling into the same ridiculous traps.

• Observation
• Observatories
• astronomy
• nature
• stars

From the reviews of the twelfth edition:

"The Amateur Astronomer is aimed at both novice and experienced amateur, although evidently biased towards the former. … should be mandatory reading for anyone thinking of buying a first telescope. … We find here useful statistical data, cartographies, catalogues, and notes relevant to the owners of small to medium telescopes. … Now approaching 50 years old … this 12th edition continues the book’s long tradition of providing an invaluable handbook for those requiring a broad introduction to amateur astronomy. A classic; absolutely recommended." (Steve Ringwood, Astronomy Now, June 2005)

"Classic text that covers the basics of all the major areas of astronomical observing, from lunar and planetary studies to observing and measuring double and variable stars. The high-quality black & white illustrations and images in this book bring together the old and the new in a way that is refreshingly different. … This highly recommended book will have pride of place on my bookshelf and I will continue to dip in and out of it for many years to come." (Neil English, Astronomy and Space, January, 2007)

Policies and ethics