Beginner Reading Materials

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ChrisP90
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Beginner Reading Materials

#1

Post by ChrisP90 »


Hey All,

I’ve been looking online at some reading material to give me some basic knowledge before my first scope arrives. I’ve seen some good reviews mainly on “turn left at Orion”.

Is this the go to book for a beginner or are there alternatives that people recommend?

Is it worth paying £25.00 for edition 5, over paying £4 for edition 4.
I know it’ll have updates but as a beginner, how important will updated tables and charts be?

Thanks again guys!
Telescope: Skywatcher Heritage 130P
Camera: Canon EOS 450D
Complete Novice, hoping to build my collection and in turn my signature! :D
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Re: Beginner Reading Materials

#2

Post by Lady Fraktor »


The books is a good one and an enjoyable read, depending on how many years have past the updated charts are good.
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ChrisP90
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Re: Beginner Reading Materials

#3

Post by ChrisP90 »


Thank you, much appreciated!
Telescope: Skywatcher Heritage 130P
Camera: Canon EOS 450D
Complete Novice, hoping to build my collection and in turn my signature! :D
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Re: Beginner Reading Materials

#4

Post by pakarinen »


I really like TLAO. Once you're ready to move to deeper, more complex things, Sue French's Deep Sky Wonders is a great book.

I also think that binocular observing books are great resources for beginners with small scopes, especially Sir Patrick Moore's book. They don't have the details you'd find in a scope-centric book, but in the beginning too much detail might be a little overwhelming.
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I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
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Re: Beginner Reading Materials

#5

Post by ARock »


ChrisP90 wrote: Thu Sep 12, 2019 4:00 pm Is it worth paying £25.00 for edition 5, over paying £4 for edition 4.
I know it’ll have updates but as a beginner, how important will updated tables and charts be?

Thanks again guys!
Stars don't change much so older editions are fine. I think newer editions of TLO have more DSOs but you will have enough DSOs in an older edition. Most of my astro books are bought used from ebay.
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Re: Beginner Reading Materials

#6

Post by Bigzmey »


For the most parts older editions are just fine. I would go with one for £4.
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Re: Beginner Reading Materials

#7

Post by Larry 1969 »


Turn Left at Orion is a great book!

You don't need to start at the beginning either. It's broken down into seasons.

It also gives you "best viewed with" suggestions and inverted finder scope views.

I think edition 4 would be fine also.

Larry
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ChrisP90
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Re: Beginner Reading Materials

#8

Post by ChrisP90 »


Thanks all!
Book has been ordered! I ended up going for edition 5, thought I’d would last be longer. May feel less inclined to upgrade it as soon.
Looking forward to having a browse before my Scope is delivered for my birthday! The other half refuses to let me have it early!
Telescope: Skywatcher Heritage 130P
Camera: Canon EOS 450D
Complete Novice, hoping to build my collection and in turn my signature! :D
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Re: Beginner Reading Materials

#9

Post by pakarinen »


Should mention that TLAO has a web page with more charts - bino, finder, etc.
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I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
=============================================================================
AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
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Re: Beginner Reading Materials

#10

Post by Markmjm »


This is another reason why I like this forum. I had never heard of the book "Turn Left At Orion". However, after seeing the posts recommending the book, I checked it out on Amazon, and now I'm going to order it. Thanks 👍😊
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Re: Beginner Reading Materials

#11

Post by Baurice »


There is a book section here also some of us here are writers and advertise in the Vendors section.
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Re: Beginner Reading Materials

#12

Post by jwnrw »


Nightwatch is another great volume. When I first bought it a year ago, I sat down and read it cover to cover twice. It is now my #1 resource. TLAO is one I am also considering, but I think there is a lot of duplication across the two.
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Re: Beginner Reading Materials

#13

Post by pakarinen »


If you're learning the constellations, Barry's "Discover the Stars" is good. Nice charts and goes into a little detail on some objects.

More advanced is Sue French's "Deepsky Wonders".

BTW, I just saw a clean copy of TLAO at my local Half Price Books. $13 cheap!
=============================================================================
I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
=============================================================================
AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
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Re: Beginner Reading Materials

#14

Post by raybiker73 »


I'm just getting started as well, and in addition to TLAO, which is really good, I also picked up a copy of "50 Things to See with a Small Telescope" by John A Read. It's a great book and seems to have gotten me off on the right foot. Hope this helps!
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Re: Beginner Reading Materials

#15

Post by helicon »


I think you'll enjoy TLAO. The sketches of what one sees at the eyepiece are very helpful.
-Michael
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Re: Beginner Reading Materials

#16

Post by pakarinen »


helicon wrote: Fri Oct 11, 2019 2:12 pm I think you'll enjoy TLAO. The sketches of what one sees at the eyepiece are very helpful.
Definitely helps manage your expectations so you're not expecting to see Hubble-quality views.
=============================================================================
I drink tea, I read books, I look at stars when I'm not cursing clouds. It's what I do.
=============================================================================
AT50, AT72EDII, ST80, ST102; Scopetech Zero, AZ-GTi, AZ Pronto; Innorel RT90C, Oberwerk 5000; Orion Giantview 15x70s, Vortex 8x42s, Navy surplus 7x50s, Nikon 10x50s
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Re: Beginner Reading Materials

#17

Post by LDW47 »


ChrisP90 wrote: Thu Sep 12, 2019 4:00 pm Hey All,

I’ve been looking online at some reading material to give me some basic knowledge before my first scope arrives. I’ve seen some good reviews mainly on “turn left at Orion”.

Is this the go to book for a beginner or are there alternatives that people recommend?

Is it worth paying £25.00 for edition 5, over paying £4 for edition 4.
I know it’ll have updates but as a beginner, how important will updated tables and charts be?

Thanks again guys!
Get a copy of NightWatch a very comprehensive book that explains all aspects of this great hobby in laymans terms not just where to find sky objects. It does incl. excellent sky maps of both the northern and southern hemispheres. I believe the latest is the 4th or 5th edition ?
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