Hello

I was just wondering if any of you had a favorite book on astronomy that you would recomend I buy. I've always been interested in astronomy, but I've only really become serious in the last two weeks. Any recomendations would be greatly appreciated.

I've already been doing quite a bit of web research, and I bought the latest issue of Astronomy magazine (incidentally how I found out about Bad Astronomy), but I rather enjoy reading books so I thought I might buy a couple on astronomy.

Thanks

~Atticus05

We're all just going to assume that you've already read Bad Astronomy by Phil Plait. Right?

duh!

Well no actually I haven't, I only just found out about Bad Astronomy this Monday. But yeah that's a fine idea, perhaps I'll check the local library.

~Atticus05

The library???!!! {swoon}

I guess my daughter will have to eat lint again this month. "Sorry, honey, we were just one book sale short of being able to get real food again this month." 8)

Hey the BA does have a sense of humor! =D>
Just so your daughter doesn't have to eat lint (nutritious or otherwise) I have purchased a copy.

Hey BA!

No worries, I just wanted to check it out, and since the library is a bit closer to my house, I figured I'd go there first. I'll probably buy a copy in the end anyway

Besides perhaps the library won't have a copy, and I can tell them to purchase one, how about that :wink:

Also going to look at the other books that were listed on the BA book page.

Thanks

~Atticus05

The first book on or about astronomy I ever read was Cosmos by Carl Sagan and I loved it to death. I read it so many times over the years. The College I went to uses a book called the The Cosmic Perspective for its freshman classes so it is rather easy to read but it reads like a textbook and is priced like one.

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Inspected by #13

are you looking for a general astrono0my text or something more in depth?

For new telescope owners (or those contemplating a purchase) I've always recommended ""Turn Left at Orion"" and "Nightwatch" Neither is overly technical or expensive, but enough to allow you to identify the constellations/asterisms and major objects of the night sky. Both were required reading for my kids when they got their first telescope (after their binoculars). You can both from Amazon for $40.

Another recomendation would be Cartes du Ciel software, a planetarium program you can download and install on your PC, with as much or as little information as you desire - and it's free.

Stephen Hawkings universe is a good place to start

If you can get a copy, "365 Starry Nights" by Chet Raymo.

Thanks to those who replied

I was thinking more along the lines of a genaral astronomy text for now. Once I figure out what aspects of the subject interest me, then I'll go more in depth.

~Atticus05

Abell's Exploration Of the Universe was a standard intro Astronomy text for a long time. I think its latest revision was in 1993, and it may now be out of print. You might be able to find a used copy for short money, though.

"Seeing in the dark" by Timothy Ferris. Not a lot on details but an enjoyable read.

atticus05.
I agree with tuffel999, Cosmos by Carl Sagan is a great beginners book.

And I have to say that Sagan is my alltime favorite writer.

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I enjoyed 'Blind Watchers of the Sky'

You have a library near your house that has books less than ten years old?!

We do. Ours had a 6 month waiting list for the new harry potter book.

Ooh, ooh, ooh! I know this one!

Pale Blue Dot by Carl Sagan. You have to get the version with pictures. It really loses its purpose otherwise, since the entire point is discussing the views of the universe and our place in it, as imaged by various people and probes. I'll admit it is rather philosophical and introspective, but it is so uplifting and enjoyable that I don't care one whit!

A wonderful book and it even got me, jaded as I am, excited about things when I read it. The book title is based off of a picture that was taken by Voyager I of the Earth (and other inner planets) as it was on its way out of the Solar System. There is a short excerpt from his discussion of this picture here:
http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/pale_blue_dot.html

Also (skimming over the BA's list), if you are in the mood for more pictures, and less explanation, Hubble Space Telescope : New Views of the Universe by Mark Voit is a gem. It is also great to show to friends who are wondering what the big deal is: I have yet to see someone who was not at least a little wowed by it. I should try to dredge up my copy. hmmm, I wonder where I put it.....

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Hi again

Yep my library has pretty new books on a regular basis. Of course they may not be getting the latest astronomy books. Then again with all the Mars hype, maybe they will. At any rate you'd be surprised how accomidating a library will be when you request that the purchase an educational type text.

Heck I even read a letter in Wizard Magazine from a person who asked his library to start buying comic books and graphic novels, and they ended up adding a whole section.

~Atticus05

My first astronomy book: "The Dynamic Universe" (a college textbook I stumbled upon when I was 8). Weird, huh?

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