Binocular Stargazing

I have both the Kindle and paperback editions of this book, and I give it credit for being the only Kindle book I could find on binocular stargazing! There is a lot of interesting "backstory" information on binocular design and evolution, how our eyes work for stargazing, and practical tips for working with binoculars. Makes for interesting reading, and includes stuff I've not seen in other astronomy books. The charts and graphics are easier to read in the paperback version, and I appreciated having all the binocular targets listed by season and constellation. Makes preparing an evening's "hit list" much easier.The star charts are in circular frames, rather than rectangles, which I've not seen before and rather like. You don't "see" rectangles with binoculars, you "see" things in a circular frame, after all. The angular diameter of the circular frame is several times wider than a binocular field of view, to cover an entire constellation, for instance, but it still gives the feeling of looking through binoculars, rather than a "star chart."The book also provides guidance on observing programs and resources to help you go deeper into the practice of binocular stargazing.This is a book I will be using over and over, and I think it's a good addition to anyone's astronomy library.

This is an adequate book only for those that already know their way around the sky. Those new to astronomy will likely have trouble. There is information on many objects, but no charts on where these objects can be found. There's a handy table of Messier objects with RA and dec. coordinates, but for binocular astronomy, those are not likely to be helpful. There are also a number of photographs clearly taken through telescopes, and large telescopes at that. Anyone expecting to see similar images through binoculars will likely end up frustrated and disappointed. For those new to bino astronomy, look elsewhere.

This book is all theory! It is not the book you take with you, it is the book you read to decide what objects you want to hunt for. This book is your pre game, the star chart (NOT INCLUDED) with your highlighted points is your main event. At first I thought this book was useless, and it might be, but I bought it so I figured I better use it, and there is a good 50 pages worth of potentially useful information. In particular he lists things to look for and tell you their location. There is also a good description of the size and brightness of objects so you know what you are getting into. The other 150 pages are just filler information- for example there is a bit on how the eye works! Oh yeah, Its that awesome! (there is a nice bit on the moon though) On the scale of books, if a Five-Star was a book that hovered in the air, held the binoculars to my face and turned my head, and a One-Star was a book that kept spontaneously catching on fire - I guess this would be some where in-between.

This book tells you all about binoculars - how they are made, different types, which ones are good for astronomy, and the benefits and joys of using binoculars for star gazing. It has information on lunar and solar observing, information on stars, and discusses objects that you can target during each season of the year. The book is illustrated with diagrams and pictures. The back of the book contains appendices that include the Messier objects, observing programs, and examples of how to keep logs, to name a few. This is a well thought-out book that is enjoyable to read and has lots of information. Take advantage of the "Look Inside!" feature!

Great information and pictures. We are just entering the hobby and needed a little guidance. I would recommend this book for anyone just getting into astronomy. The book helps you get started cheap with binoculars you already have.

Superb book. I went with an Amateur Astronomy theme for Christmas for my girlfriend, and we've used the book to prepare for our future outings. I will provide updates as we use it during better weather (It's been too cloudy for the comet this week) but the information I've gleaned from this book has been priceless.

Gets a bit more into the subject than I was interested in at this time.

While the tables are valuable the resources are not. It would be a better Kindle value of you could save the feature tables for field use.

Lo que más valoro de este libro es la selección de objetos de cielo profundo, estrellas dobles y variables. Es una muestra muy fidedigna de a lo que realmente pueden llegar unos prismáticos de 10X50. Algunos otros objetos, como la M97 en Ursa Major, es muy difícil que estén al alcance de binoculares de 50 mm de apertura. El libro adolece de unas buenas cartas celestes en las que poder ubicar los objetos, solo tiene unos simples dibujos que hacen las veces de esbozos y que no son de gran ayuda. También se echan en falta las coordenadas de ascensión recta y declinación, ya que permitirían buscarlos en los mapas estelares, de los cuales no hubiera estado de más dar algunas referencias.La parte introductoria es muy escasa y un aficionado que empieza esperaría alguna explicación más, pero lo que se dice es el mínimo necesario. La forma en la que se divide el libro, según las estaciones del año es de gran ayuda para el astrónomo aficionado. Una buena colección de apéndices, con un listado de fabricantes al final, es de gran ayuda para el amateur. Un buen libro para empezar pero que necesita de otros más para completar la búsqueda de objetos.