The Lawnchair Astronomer

Rating:
Summary: Beginners book to what you can find in the night sky
Review: This chatty book is a great introduction to what you can see from your backyard at night. The author doesn't go into much detail as he discusses each object (the planets and a few of the more prominent deep-sky galaxies and nebulas.) There are a few sidebars that give interesting historical trivia. A great book to interest someone in astronomy or an arm-chair astronomer, but not a good book to use while actually looking at the stars. The b&w photos is the book are a waste of ink given that they are so dark. And, the star chart included is really nothing more than a constellation chart. Few stars are included and no deep sky objects. A nice chart for the wall, but not a good reference.

Rating:
Summary: Beginners book to what you can find in the night sky
Review: This chatty book is a great introduction to what you can see from your backyard at night. The author doesn't go into much detail as he discusses each object (the planets and a few of the more prominent deep-sky galaxies and nebulas.) There are a few sidebars that give interesting historical trivia. A great book to interest someone in astronomy or an arm-chair astronomer, but not a good book to use while actually looking at the stars. The b&w photos is the book are a waste of ink given that they are so dark. And, the star chart included is really nothing more than a constellation chart. Few stars are included and no deep sky objects. A nice chart for the wall, but not a good reference.