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Astronomy Books and Star Maps

David Levy's Guide to the Stars Planisphere

   These planispheres are easy to find and easy to read in the dark. They're made from moisture proof plastic stock for years of outdoor use. They come in two sizes, an 11 inch personal size and a monstrous 16 inch size suitable to use with small groups.

What's Out Tonight?
By Ken Graun

   This book is a must for lovers of the sky. It features hundreds of easy-to-read tables, charts and illustrations. It also contains fifty years of Moon phases, as well as the positions of the planets, when eclipses will occur, and sunrise and sunset for over 200 North American cities. It features details about observing the planets, Moon and other objects and lots, lots more! 6" x 9", 4-color soft cover, Textbook stitched pages, 368 pages/2 colors pages tabbed for easy reference, 75 photos plus numerous illustrations and tables.

Our Earth and the Solar System
By Ken Graun

   Geared towards kids, this book would make a great gift along with a telescope. This well illustrated and colorful book covers the basics of our Earth and its neighbors in the Solar System. It's fact-filled with the latest pictures and data on the planets and their moons. It features an introduction by Thomas J. Bopp, codiscoverer of Comet Hale-Bopp. 8.5" x 11" with 36 pages.

Books from Sky Publishing

Astronomy for Dummies
By Stephen P. Maran

   In the tradition of the popular "Dummies" series, NASA astronomer Steve Maran introduces astronomy in simple, approachable language. After reading Astronomy for Dummies, you'll appreciate what you're seeing when you look up at the night sky and understand the concepts and theories of astronomy. You'll also learn facts, terms, myths, and theories in easy-to-understand language. Includes sections on astronomy projects, choosing equipment. 338 pages, 4.5" x 10.25", softcover.

Star Ware
By Philip S. Harrington

    The subtitle says it all: "The Amateur Astronomer's Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Buying, and Using Telescopes and Accessories." In this updated and user-friendly discussion of equipment for amateurs, Harrington compares many commercial telescopes and accessories - right down to the best bug sprays and long underwear! 3rd Edition. 432 pages, 7.5" x 9.25", softcover.

The Planet Observers Handbook
By Fred W. Price

   Viewing the solar system is now easier than ever with this informative and well-illustrated handbook of the planets. This book will help guide you through choosing, testing, and using a telescope to observe planets and record your results. The new second edition describes special techniques for studying individual planets and asteroids, and contains the latest information on CCDs, photography, and videography. 2nd Edition. 444 pages, 6.5" x 9.5", softcover.

Astronomy: A Self Teaching Guide
By Dinah L. Moche

   Learning astronomy is easy with this popular, workbook-style textbook. This guide provides instruction in basic principles and contemporary topics. It includes recent developments in astronomy, such as the Hubble Space Telescope and Galileo missions. 5th Edition. 320 pages, 7" x 10", softcover.

Wide-Field Astrophotography
By Robert Reeves

   The easiest way to capture the night sky on film is to use an ordinary 35-mm camera with interchangeable lenses. Such equipment affords a wide field of view, making easy work of imaging constellations, comets, meteors, the Milky Way, and much more. This book is a wonderful introduction to wide-field astrophotography. The techniques it describes will help you produce stunning astronomical portraits time after time. The author discusses cameras, lenses, filters, film, and photographic accessories, exploring both the theory and practice of astrophotography. The book is filled with numerous images of equipment and celestial objects. Both novice and experienced skyshooters will find it to be a valuable source of information and inspiration. 344 pages, 6.5" x 9.25", hardcover.

The New CCD Astronomy
By Ron Wodaski

   The subtitle says it all: how to capture the stars with a CCD camera in your own backyard. Ron Wodaski's in-depth guide to digital imaging covers all the hardware and software essentials. Step-by-step tutorials, extensive illustrations, and a multitude of sample images will help everyone get the most out of CCD chips and image-processing programs. 486 pages, 8.5" x 11", softcover.

Astrophotography for the Amateur
By Michael A. Covington

   This is a much expanded and fully updated edition of Covington's best-selling handbook of astronomical imaging. Suitable for beginners and advanced amateurs alike, it's a remarkably complete guide to taking pictures of celestial objects using both film and electronic detectors. Covington explains how to capture stunning views of the Sun, Moon, and planets; stars and star clusters; comets and meteors; galaxies and nebulae; eclipses and more, using readily available equipment and materials. New chapters cover CCD imaging and digital image processing, choosing a telescope and camera, and modern films. Includes exposure tables, film and filter specifications, and hundreds of photographs, many in color. 2nd Edition. 346 pages, 7.5" x 9.25", softcover.

Deep Sky Companion: The Messier Objects
By Stephen James O'Meara

   Introducing the Messier guide for the modern age! This first book in the Deep-Sky Companions series by noted observer and Sky & Telescope contributor Steve O'Meara provides a fresh perspective on these perennially favorite viewing targets. Along with pages of observing tips for novice stargazers, O'Meara presents the most recent scientific data about each object, accurate drawings done at the eyepiece, new insights on the "missing" Messier objects, and more! 308 pages, 7.25" x 10", hardcover.

Deep Sky Companion: The Caldwell Objects
By Stephen James O'Meara

   The second in the Deep-Sky Companions series, this book is the ultimate road map to Patrick Moore's catalog of 109 star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies that didn't make it into the Messier list. Superb finder charts, exquisite astroimages, detailed, hand-drawn sketches, and eloquent, provocative essays make this the definitive guide to the Caldwell catalog. Foreword by Patrick Moore. 500 pages, 7" x 10", hardcover.

Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
By Terence Dickinson

   This delightful introduction to backyard astronomy has just been updated for its 3rd edition. Complete with user-friendly sky charts, NightWatch covers observing and equipment basics, telling you just what you need to know. It also suggests where to find more information as your interest in astronomy grows. Suitable for ages 12 and older. 3rd Edition. 176 pages, 10" x 10", spiralbound.

Exploring the Moon Through Binoculars and Small Telescopes
By Ernest H. Cherrington, Jr.

   Reviews every major lunar feature in 28 night-by-night (phase-by-phase) chapters, with lots of black-and-white photographs. For intermediate-level observers. 229 pages, 8.5" x 11", softcover.

The Backyard Astronomer's Guide
By Alan Dyer

   This companion volume to Dickinson's NightWatch takes amateurs to the next level in pursuing their interest in astronomy. More than 200 astrophotos and illustrations accompany instructions on observing a wide variety of sky objects, with tips from well-known astro-experts. It also discusses observing sites and equipment selection, with special emphasis on new products. Revised Edition. 336 pages, 9.25" x 11.25", hardcover.

Practical Astrophotography
By Jeffrey R.Charles

   Whether you're an experienced astrophotographer or just getting started, this complete guide to photographing the night sky is for you. In addition to offering essential information about equipment and techniques, the author provides a wealth of practical hints to help you capture the beauty of the universe, including tips on how to prepare for an eclipse chase or other astrophoto expedition. The book covers film photography almost exclusively, but electronic imaging and image enhancing are briefly discussed. 317 pages, 6" x 9", softcover.

40 Nights to Knowing the Sky
By Fred Schaaf

   An accessible night-by-night approach to studying the sky. It begins at sunset, moves to twilight, and on to dark nighttime visions of stars and planets. Along the way Schaaf gives a thorough introduction to the sky and presents tips on using binoculars and telescopes. This book is for everyone who is naturally curious and wants to learn more about the sky. 256 pages, 7.5" x 9.25", softcover.

Turn Left At Orion, 3rd Edition
By Guy Consolmagno and Dan M. Davis

   Are you just starting out in astronomy and looking for an observing guide designed for use with your small telescope? Look no further! The 3rd edition of this popular introduction to backyard astronomy contains viewing tips as well as clear instructions on how to find 100 interesting night-sky objects - including 10 Southern Hemisphere sights. It also offers realistic sketches of what you will see in the eyepiece. 224 pages, hardcover.

Solar Astronomy Handbook
By Rainer Beck, Heinz Hilbrecht, et al.

   This observer's guide to the Sun is lavishly illustrated with black-and-white diagrams and photographs. It includes a buyer's guide to telescopes and accessories for solar astronomy, and inspiring disucssion of observations amateurs can do themselves, tips for planning eclipse expeditions, and an extensive bibliography. 516 pages, 6.25" x 9.25", hardcover.