Book Review: Sky & Telescope- Observer's Guides: City Astronomy by Robin Scagell
Title: Sky & Telescope- Observer's Guides: City Astronomy
Author: Robin Scagell
ISBN: 0-933346-75-1
Year: 1994
Summary/Back Cover: Believe it or not, you do not need pitch black, rural skies to enjoy the hobby of astronomy! In City Astronomy, you'll learn
This was a great book to read. I have wanted to have a better idea of what type of telescope and equipment to get for a beginner star gazer like me. I live in a very light polluted city and the idea of getting a telescope and not using it near home was a huge deterrent in buying a telescope.
Beginner star gazers can read it (the book is great for those living in the city, as per title of the book) but beginners should start with a book of what's out there, have some star charts, show some constellations, differences between telescopes, etc. Although this book can be read by beginners (I am one), one should not use it as the comprehensive guide to beginner stargazing.
The author gives a very short explanation and review of "other essentials" (non-telescopes, non-binoculars equipment). I think it is a bit too short. Also, it was written in 1994, so a lot of the camera explanations were in reference to film, as opposed to now, digital. However, it still has good explanations on why shoot certain pics with level of ISO and other things like that.
Bonus point: In page 114, there is a photograph of Saturn as viewed from a 10" reflector. This photograph gave me a really good idea of how well I'd see Saturn (the planet that I want to watch the most) with an approx. (good) beginner/intermediate telescope. It gave me a realistic expectation of the telescope that I was thinking of buying.
The 2nd con that I can think of so far, is that since the author lives in the U.K., there is much bias for European (especially U.K.) locations (meaning that European locations are solely mentioned, as far as I can remember). However, his advice can be very well used anywhere (city and suburbs-wise).
I love that the book tells you why & what a certain telescope is better in the city as opposed to suburbs (and vice versa). Some beginner's books don't even talk about weather and how it affects one's stargazing experience. This one does.
Overall: his book shows that you don't have to be in area with dark skies to be able to enjoy stargazing. You just need to "know your enemy & choose your target". A great book for what it is meant to be: a guide to city astronomy.
Author: Robin Scagell
ISBN: 0-933346-75-1
Year: 1994
Summary/Back Cover: Believe it or not, you do not need pitch black, rural skies to enjoy the hobby of astronomy! In City Astronomy, you'll learn
- how you can enjoy amateur astronomy from cities and suburbs
- which celestial objects are best for viewing in light-polluted skies
- what telescope types are most useful for urban astronomy
- how to take terrific astrophotographs from metropolitan sites
- the benefits of light-pollution filters and other accessories
- how CCD cameras cut through skyglow to reveal incredible cosmic images
This was a great book to read. I have wanted to have a better idea of what type of telescope and equipment to get for a beginner star gazer like me. I live in a very light polluted city and the idea of getting a telescope and not using it near home was a huge deterrent in buying a telescope.
Beginner star gazers can read it (the book is great for those living in the city, as per title of the book) but beginners should start with a book of what's out there, have some star charts, show some constellations, differences between telescopes, etc. Although this book can be read by beginners (I am one), one should not use it as the comprehensive guide to beginner stargazing.
The author gives a very short explanation and review of "other essentials" (non-telescopes, non-binoculars equipment). I think it is a bit too short. Also, it was written in 1994, so a lot of the camera explanations were in reference to film, as opposed to now, digital. However, it still has good explanations on why shoot certain pics with level of ISO and other things like that.
Bonus point: In page 114, there is a photograph of Saturn as viewed from a 10" reflector. This photograph gave me a really good idea of how well I'd see Saturn (the planet that I want to watch the most) with an approx. (good) beginner/intermediate telescope. It gave me a realistic expectation of the telescope that I was thinking of buying.
The 2nd con that I can think of so far, is that since the author lives in the U.K., there is much bias for European (especially U.K.) locations (meaning that European locations are solely mentioned, as far as I can remember). However, his advice can be very well used anywhere (city and suburbs-wise).
I love that the book tells you why & what a certain telescope is better in the city as opposed to suburbs (and vice versa). Some beginner's books don't even talk about weather and how it affects one's stargazing experience. This one does.
Overall: his book shows that you don't have to be in area with dark skies to be able to enjoy stargazing. You just need to "know your enemy & choose your target". A great book for what it is meant to be: a guide to city astronomy.