Resources - Books and Magazines

Books.

General and observing guides

• "Turn Left at Orion" by Guy Consolmagno, Dan M. Davis.
  Fantastic beginner book focused on observing, not hardware. A must have for any beginner amateur, it gives a list of objects with descriptions, information on how to find them and what to expect. I used to use it in the days of 4.5" Dobsonian ... I think it is the best first book for a starting astro amateur.
   

• Astronomers' Observing Guides - a very good series mixing popular science and observing guide. Each book gives a solid and up-to-date overview of current understanding of the objects discussed, followed by tips and techniques for amateur astronomer observing session and finished with actual observing lists. The lists usually contain fine examples from all variations of the objects discussed, some overlooked in many other observing guides. For me it is very important to understand what I am seeing, so this series is highly recommended!

  • "Galaxies and How to Observe Them" by Wolfgang Steinicke, Richard Jakiel

  • "Star Clusters and How to Observe Them" by Mark Allison

  • "Double & Multiple Stars, and How to Observe Them" by James Mullaney

  • "The Moon and How to Observe It" by Peter Grego

  • "Saturn and How to Observe It" by Julius Benton
     

• "The Urban Astronomer's Observing Guide" by Rod Mollise
  A very good general guide for an urban amateur. First part discusses equipment and techniques from the point of view of (sub)urban observing, the second part presents observing lists. The lists are provided in a good, narrative style showing what to expect and what the objects are. The author is very active on the Internet (SCT_User and other Yahoo groups among others).
   

• "Choosing and Using a new CAT" by Rod Mollise
  As the title says it is a guide for current and future SCT users. It is a very useful guide, especially for beginners, and can be followed with participation in SCT-User Yahoo group. In addition to being an excellent source of information on all aspects of an SCT telescope use it is a very good read. All popular accessories, modifications and applications are discussed, and since the book was first published in 2009 it is still up to date. This book is a new version, expanded and revised, of his previous CAT book "Choosing and Using a Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope".
   

• "Night Sky Observer's Guide" by George Robert Kepple, Glen W. Sanner
  This is the ultimate source of observing lists, the best available. Objects are sorted by constellations, each of them is discussed with emphasis on what telescope size is suitable for observing. A must have for anyone!
   

• "Deep Sky Wonders" by Walter Scott Houston
  The classical observing guide based on Walter Scott Hudson column in "Sky and Telescope". Each chapter corresponds to one month. Must read.
   

• "Celestial Sampler" by Sue French
  This is a compilation of Sue French articles to "Sky and Telescope" published in her "deep Sky Wonders" column. A very good source of observing ideas, and you can subscribe to S&T and have a new one delivered monthly.
   

• "Star Ware: The Amateur Astronomer's Guide to Choosing, Buying, and Using Telescopes and Accessories" by Philip S. Harrington
  This is the ultimate guide to astronomy hardware.
   

• "Astronomy Hacks" by Robert Thompson, Barbara Fritchman Thompson
  A nice book filled with tips and tricks useful for any amateur, but clearly biased toward Dobsonian telescopes.
   

• "Backyard Astronomer's Guide" by Terence Dickinson, Alan Dyer
  A very solid introduction to all aspects of amateur astronomy, especially good for beginners. It was first published in 2002, so some information is outdated.
   

• "NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe" by Terence Dickinson
  A very good introduction to amateur astronomy, it even includes a set of sky charts.