"This book is the next best thing to having an experienced club member chatting you through interesting things to see."
Tonkin, Stephen: Discover the Night Sky through Binoculars
A systematic guide to Binocular Astronomy
Discover the Night Sky through Binoculars is for the beginning amateur astronomer (or anyone else) who has been given the advice to "start with binoculars", and wants further guidance on how to go about it. Anyone who follows this year-long systematic approach will acquire a sound basic knowledge of the night sky (as seen from northern temperate latitudes) and will gather useful snippets of astronomical miscellany along the way.
"All binocular astronomy enthusiasts need to add this one to their collection. It contains unique information, which I've never read in any book or astronomy magazine before, including:
Unique observing methods/approaches.
Simple and effective methods for finding objects.
Lots of interesting facts about the stars themselves, as well as some DSO's.
I'm enjoying the book overall. You owe it to yourself to check it out. If you're a fan of binocular Astronomy (as I am), then it's a no-brainer!"
Urban Astronomy
"I find this book a true pleasure to read – information is presented in a way that both new observers and experienced astronomers can appreciate... the myriad of great objects that are in this book one will come to again and again. The seasonal targets are well thought out, and useful for virtually anyone to find. Also an excellent resource for those doing public star parties wanting some great “eye candy” to show off the night sky..." Reader Comment
"I think it is fantastic. Easy to follow and an ideal book to accompany every binocular and small telescope session. It really is very readable." Reader Comment
"Naturally, a good intro for those starting off, but I would also say a useful reference as well." Reader Comment
Unto those Three Things
which the Ancients held to be impossible, there should be added this Fourth: to
find a Book printed without Errors. —
Alfonso the Wise (1221 - 84)
p35 line 2 up delete: Mon insert: CMi corrected: Nov 2018
p 143, line 9 down insert: α CMi 5.2 corrected: Nov 2018
Tonkin, Stephen: Binocular Astronomy, 2nd Edition
It would seem odd not to recommend my own book!
The first edition of this title was praised for its suggested objects for observation and especially for the finder charts for each object. In this second edition, this section is expanded in three ways. There are new objects, more information on each object, and a re-organization of the objects for binoculars for easier selection.
Binocular Astronomy 2nd Edition puts an emphasis on understanding binoculars and their use. The additional content reflects the latest developments in technology, new testing techniques, and practical ideas for binocular use. It also responds to the substantially positive reviews of the first edition, and is now even better suited to its target readership.
Click the subheadings to toggle their content on/off.
"Binoculars are an often-overlooked lower-cost alternative for introductory astronomy students and
beginning amateur astronomers. … The detailed information on buying and maintaining binoculars will be
particularly useful for those who have always used telescopes. … Photographs and drawings are excellent
and enhance the usefulness of the book; the appendixes contain additional information to enable proper selection
and expert use of binoculars in astronomy. An excellent addition to the well-regarded Practical Astronomy series.
Summing Up: Highly Recommended. General reader; lower-division undergraduates; faculty/professionals."CHOICE, Vol. 44
"What a fine book ... it goes down as one of the most enjoyable and
informative astronomy books I've purchased ... there was a real need for a book
like this that raises our level of knowledge about the use of astronomical
binoculars. "Reader Comment
"I'm so impressed ... congratulations on a TREMENDOUS work."Reader
Comment
"What a great book. Easy to read, a wealth of bino information,
excellent illustrations, pictures and star charts. This book is a must have for
anyone getting into binocular astronomy."Reader Comment
"I'm pleased with all the drawings of objects thru the 50mm and 100
mm binoculars. A real plus."Reader Comment
"...a really nice book. Very, VERY impressive!"Reader
Comment
Unto those Three Things
which the Ancients held to be impossible, there should be added this Fourth: to
find a Book printed without Errors. —
Alfonso the Wise (1221 - 84)
p 33, Fig 2.27 caption delete: Amend text at top of image to read: “ delete: ” make remaining text non-italic
p 44, line 12 up delete: 16
insert: 15
p 55, line 4 down delete: roof
insert: Porro Type 2
p 176, line 17 up delete: Kemble's Cascade
p 177, between lines 13 and 14 up insert: NGC 253
NGC 288
p 177, between lines 12 and 13 up insert: 56 Andromedae
NGC 752
p 177, between lines 4 and 5 up insert: Kemble's Cascade
p 178, between lines 8 and 9 down insert: NGC 2477
p 178, between lines 19 and 20 down insert: M5 (NGC 5904)
M4 & NGC 6144
p 178, between lines 15 and 16 up insert: M55 (NGC6809)
Barnard 142, 143 (Barnard's E)
p 178, between lines 14 and 15 up insert: 61 Cygni
p 178, line 2 up delete: NGC 253
p 178, line 1 up delete: NGC 288
p 179, line 7 down delete: 56 And
p 179, line 8 down delete: NGC 752
p 179, line 22 down delete: NGC 2477
p 180, line 18 up delete: M5 (NGC5904)
p 180, line 15 up delete: M4 (NGC 6161)
p 181, lines 12 and 13 down delete: Barnard 142, 143 (Barnard's E)
M55 (NGC6809))
insert: M71 (NGC 6838)
NGC 6934
Struve 2809
p 268, line 5 up delete: M84
insert: M49
p 284, heading and line 4 up delete: 2065
insert: 6025
p 432, Melotte 15 delete: 272
insert: 374
Cook, William J.: Understanding and Attaining 3-axis Binocular Collimation
Astonishingly useful little book.
If you tweak binoculars, you'll want this book. It is a no-nonsense, high SNR, exposition on binocular collimation that explodes the myths promulgated by ultracrepidarian internet experts and sets you on the path to being able to achieve full collimation by making a simplified Mk5-type collimator.
This is the book that other people wanted Bill Cook to write, before his insights and wisdom were lost forever.
Every chapter is written with the clarity, directness and economy that those who know him have come to expect from Bill Cook; it is born of a thorough familiarity with his subject. There is a vast amount of knowledge, wisdom and insight encapsulated in these pages and there is nothing that I did not find interesting. You will find stuff here that you just won’t find elsewhere. If you use, or intend to use, binoculars, you should read this book.
This little "gem" is often overlooked
by serious astronomers, but its small format (8cm x 11.5cm) gives you a star
atlas in your shirt pocket! Separate chart for each constellation, down to mag
5. Lots of DSOs, including the Messiers, are marked.
The new edition of this excellent book,
packed with viewing tips and clear instruction. Also realistic drawings of what
you can expect to actually see.
