Astronomy Hacks

by Robert Bruce Thompson and Barbara Fritchman Thompson

Book Overview

Why use the traditional approach to study the stars when you can turn computers, handheld devices, and telescopes into out-of-this-world stargazing tools? Whether you're a first timer or an advanced... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0596100604
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Oreilly & Associates Inc
• Length: 388 Pages
• Weight: 1.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.9" x 0.9" x 6.1"

Customer Reviews

Outstanding Practical Book on Astronomy

This is an excellent book. It contains information about choosing an eyepiece, how to tune your telescope for best results, and observing tips among many, many others. What I liked best is that the authors are very specific--on eyepieces, for example, they discuss which models of which brands will do what best, and what the difference between a $30 and a $600 eyepiece is. You could spend quite a bit of time in the hobby before you figure this kind of thing out on your own. This book will save you time, and save you money especially if you are just starting out. The authors are careful to state that they are offering their opinions, and opinions differ (sometimes between the authors). Most of the "hacks" are a page, or a couple of pages long, so this book lends itself well to bathroom reading. There is an excellent table of contents that will help you find the information you are most interested in. It's also fun just to browse this excellent book.

This Book is a must for the Amateur Astronomer!

I have been all over the Internet and have perused just about every bookstore in the Dallas area searching for books and information on amateur astronomy. I was very fortunate to make this book one of my first purchases. The authors are very experienced and passionate amateur astronomers and they provide a wealth of valuable information from purchasing telescopes and equipment all the way through observation techniques and astronomical concepts. This book is a very recent publication and is filled with ideas or "hacks" that center around the very latest technology and equipment that is available in the field of amateur astronomy. The main philosophy around the book is that one does not have to spend thousands of dollars on telescopes, mounts, lens', etc in order to enjoy the hobby at a very high level. This was something that was very important to me since I do not have a very large budget for purchasing my first serious amateur telescope. It is also worth mentioning that the authors are very biased torwards using Newtonian Reflector telescopes with Dobsonian style mounts, however they do cover all of the telescope types and thier respective advantages, disadvantages, etc. Overall, this book is a must purchase for anyone who is interested in amateur astronomy and who is looking for that first step. There is information in this book that will also appeal to the more experienced telescope enthusiasts, especially where the telescope modifications are concerned. Amateur Astronomy can get quite expensive and this book will certainly save many beginners from needlessly wasting money on telescopes and equipment!

A great book and resource

If you've ever wanted to learn astronomy as a hobby or as a serious amateur you'll find everything you need to get started and well along the path in this book. In addition to the things you would expect to find in a book like this (star names, constellations, Messier objects, etc.) the authors also cover things like etiquette when observing with groups, how to choose binoculars and the right telescope for you. The tips on how to choose the right telescope and how to avoid being cheated is well worth the price of the book by itself. Of course it is filled with information on identifying stars and constellations, using the celestial coordinate system, observing in different environments, observing shallow-space and deep-space objects, and photographing the stars. But the tips on things like eliminating astigmatism, eliminating diffraction, and tuning your telescope are some of the most interesting as well as the most likely to make your hobby really enjoyable. Astronomy Hacks is highly recommended to anyone interested in astronomy and can move you from novice to advanced amateur.

The astronomy book I was looking for

I really enjoyed this book. Where other Astronomy books focus exclusively on the hardware, or on the heavens, this book covers a wider range of topics. From telescope tricks, to how to meet up with astronomy buffs, to what to drink (or not drink) on your viewing nights. While the other books are helpful to teach the theory, this book is the glue that binds the night sky theory with the telescope in the back of the car on a mountain side reality.

Astronomy in 65 "Hacks"

Astronomy Hacks The Thompson writing team have moved to a new subject from their usual subject of evaluating computer components and assembling one's own computer. As they write, "Our editor emailed us one day to say that O'Reilly was thinking about doing an astronomy book and to ask if we knew any amateur astronomers who might be interested in writing it. We sent a one-sentence reply, "Other than us, you mean?" In this book they again demonstrate their ability to cut "to the chase" and clarify a complex and often confusing subject. The title of this books sounds as if it would interest mainly young Geeks who would like to subvert the universe by hacking the "code" of the universe. However, O'Reilly is attempting to return the definition of the work "hack" to its original meaning. They state: "Hacks are tools, tips, and tricks that help users solve problems. They are aimed at intermediate-level power users and scripters." This book is actually aimed primarily at those who think they might be interested in astronomy, but have a rudimentary knowledge of the hobby. That said, there are many pearls in the book that will also enlighten the intermediate to advanced hobbyist. Subject matter ranges from prevention of hypothermia, with practical tips on dressing for early morning observing sessions, to planning observing sessions, to hacks to improve the performance and accuracy of your scope. An area I found helpful is a section on deriving magnification, field of view, and exit pupil size of different scopes and eyepieces. I have all the equations somewhere, but here they're all listed in a convenient "hack," with the importance and application of the various parameters listed. In all, there are 65 chapters or hacks, generally covering the most important areas for the beginning astronomer. The Thompsons have never been shy about naming names, particularly brand names. The newcomer to astronomy is often overwhelmed by the choices that they face, what scope do I buy, what eyepieces do I buy, what type of mount is best, is it worth buying a GoTo scope, how much do I need to spend, and what can I actually see with my choice? They name brand names, and give a clear idea of the capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses of various types and apertures of telescopes and eyepieces. Necessarily, these recommendations are based on their own personal likes, and would likely create a lively discussion in an astronomy club. But they are an excellent place to begin developing one's own opinions on the subject. This book is highly recommended.