This very complete and very useful book answers practical questions such as: What type of telescope is best for beginners? Do I need a computerized “go-to" telescope? How do I decode those cryptic instructions that came with my new scope? How can I use my camera to take photographs through a telescope? Do I need to buy a CCD camera to take serious photographs through a telescope? What charts, books, software and other references do I need to get into astronomy ? What can I see through my telescope? How do I learn how to observe? And much, much more.This revised edition of The Backyard Astronomer's Guide is an indispensable reference to the equipment and techniques used by the modern recreational stargazer. Authors Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer – both full-time astronomy writers – bring decades of experience to the task of telling everything you need to know to get started in astronomy. They explain why telescopes often perform much differently from what the novice expects. They recommend the accessories that will enhance the observing experience and advise what not to buy until you become more familiar with your equipment. They name brands and sources and compare value so that you can be armed with practical information when deciding on your next purchase. Sections on astrophotography, daytime and twilight observing, binocular observing and planetary and deep-sky observing round out this comprehensive guide to personal exploration of the universe. Dickinson and Dyer's elegant yet straightforward approach to a complex subject makes this book an invaluable resource for astronomers throughout North America. With more than 750 photographs (many in full color), charts, diagrams, and illustrations, The Backyard Astronomer's Guide is also one of the most useful and user-friendly astronomy books ever produced. Terence Dickinson has more than one million copies of his astronomy books in print in three languages. Alan Dyer is a contributing editor of Sky & Telescope magazine. He is widely regarded as an authority on commercial telescopes, and his reviews of astronomical equipment appear regularly in major North American astronomy magazines. Together, they have decades of practical experience in navigating the night skies. Reading the book is like having both authors at your elbow to help you navigate those skies yourself. Hardbound, 336 9" x 11" pages.
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