Stargazing For Dummies

I have read quite a few books on Astronomy over the years but have always felt that I had miissed a couple of chapters because they introduced terms and information which I prehaps should have known. I was therefore really pleased when I began reading this book as it starts from the very beginning and assumes nothing. That being said, it introduces the basics quickly and with good detailed explanations which are easy to follow and doesn't bog you down with too much technical jargon. It manages to cover a lot of ground given the size of the book and gives some really worthwhile practical advice to the novice stargazer.

Exactly what I needed. I’ve just started to learn all about stargazing, and knew absolutely nothing about it. Saw this on Amazon, and thought YES, just what I needed. It’s perfect for what I need. It explains things very clearly, even for me, who is clueless. It even advised me how to choose what telescope to get. I found this book great and I would recommend it to absolute beginners.

Really good book, laid out very simply so easy to understand. Has great hints and tips on setting up a telescope, where to start when looking up at the stars. It has diagrams inside to help understand what is being talked about. Would definitely recommend as a starter book for anyone interested I'm stargazing

A fab easy guide to what your looking at, my adhd husband thinks it's brilliant a good mix of pictures and information

Good for explaining what equipment is all about and what to expect as a beginner

Great book for a beginner. Has helped me to start out as I learn my constellations and some challenges for me too. Easy to understand, easy to follow and exactly as the title says. Clear explanations of terms, and I now sound a bit like a pro. Well, to non star gazers I definitely do!

It is now around 12 years old and misses a lot of the advances in apps and other technologies that have made astronomy much easier. There are also a lot of typos and quite a few oddities for a UK publication (like calling the Plough the Big Dipper throughout).

Fab

Stargazing has always been one of those things I have found interesting. However, gazing up at the night sky, I could only ever make out a few constellations and not much else. I quickly found out that I didn't have the patience to learn the night sky from star charts and such. This book was the perfect solution. This book does a good job of covering many topics essential to stargazing without being a bore. It discusses the different methods of stargazing (e.g. naked-eye, telescope) and how to do each one well. There are guides for purchasing binoculars and telescopes, and then how and where to use them. It talks about some of the science behind stargazing and astronomy without going over anyone's head. It also discusses the different constellations and how to find them, how to distinguish a planet from a star, the different types of twilight, and even how to determine how good a spot is for stargazing. The author does a good job of making his point without rambling on and on. Like all "For Dummies" books, this one is meant for pick-up and put-down. There is no need to sit down and read it cover-to-cover. If you want to find out how to find Orion in the sky, just look it up - you don't need any prior knowledge. There is one minor thing - in the Kindle edition, at least - that may take away from the reader's comprehension. The author is obviously British and writes with British English. While most words may simply pop out as an apparent misspell ("colour" instead of "color;" "practise" instead of "practice"), there are some words that stop you dead in the middle of a sentence ("manoeuvre" as opposed to "maneuver"). Overall, if you are interested in learning about the magnificent gift we are given every night - the nighttime sky - buy this book. Whether you want to be a casual naked-eye stargazer or buy a telescope and take it up as a hobby, you will find what you need to know here.

Clearly written for those interested in learning more about astronomy. Sparks interest and enthusiasm in my grand children.

Definitely helps to locate the stars up there. But a book on Astronomy without pictures is kind of dumb. You wouldn't like to go back again.

A nice and simple to read guide to the night sky which is perfect for a beginner astronomer. It also makes a great present.

The book came in good condition