The Light-Hearted Astronomer

by Ken Fulton

Book Overview

Paperback. AstroMedia, 1985. 115 pages. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0913135011
• ISBN13: 9780913135013
• Release Date: January 1984
• Publisher: Kalmbach Publishing Company
• Length: 115 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Good, Sound Advice

I revisited The Light Hearted Astronomer after reading it some 20 years ago. I'm pretty sure I passed it on to another person who was in the early stages of becoming enamored with the night sky. In this current time with "go-to" scopes and aperture fever run rampant, I hoped to get back in touch with the simple pleasure of looking up with modest equipment, involving the mind as much as the eye. Fulton's book is very conversational and I guess I'd even say dated, but the advice rings true and I got what I wanted: a rekindling of my early days of observing. The book has me even more fond of my 80mm Refractor, though I also have 6 and 10-inch reflectors to observe with. Halloween 2009, my neighborhood was having a post trick-or-treat party with hot chocolate and a fire. The moon and Jupiter were well situated in the night sky. I had been observing the moon a lot in the previous few days so it was on my mind. The party was a few blocks away and slung the scope and tripod (all attached) over my shoulder, a la the image I remembered from Fulton's book. I sauntered to the party, smiling all the way. After 10-seconds to set-up, I shared the views with people who may have glimpsed these objects for the first time. Hooks were set. Many modern books will discuss telescope purchasing and observing in greater detail with more specific info. Fulton's does it with an attitude and easygoing method that I found comfortable and useful, then and now. Casual astronomy at it's best.

Witty and Insightful - an Enjoyable and Educational Read!

Though written in 1984, Ken Fulton's book, The Light-Hearted Astronomer is as up-to-date as can be, for the advice he gives budding amateur astronomers is timeless. He cautions that once bitten by the astronomy bug, serious complications can ensue -- and he happily warns how to avoid the pitfalls of the "jungle" that's out there. The title tells all about Fulton and his happy-go-lucky attitude toward life and astronomy. He writes with a light heart, and with gentle humor to get his points across. Astronomers are a strange breed according to him. "Strange things turn them on", he says; "dismal points of light . . . playing cosmic peek-a-boo . . . quiet parties on a starlit mountaintop," and more. For some, astronomy is a science; for others, an escape from everyday life. He cautions newbies who start out to beware of the temptations and snares in the astronomy jungle. Don't run out and buy a telescope, and above all don't buy one in a department store. He says to do your homework, read magazines, books, talk to other astronomers, and don't believe all the advertisements. Don't be bamboozled by the hype and the colorful pictures. He describes the different types and sizes of telescopes and compares relative costs, and why they may vary. He suggests you go easy on buying accessories. Start out with a couple of decent eyepieces and a Barlow lens, and decide later what else you really need. "Beware of telescope fever," he says, and gives eight "survival tips" on how to brave the wilds of the jungle. The author warns, with a twinkle in his eye, "You do not need that set of 64 eyepieces." He advises, "Face it, unless you're gonna use them for chess pieces, you don't need that many." The chapters are short, and the book is thin, only 115 paperbacked pages, but he covers a lot of ground. Like deciding what type of astronomer you really want to be; a do-it-yourselfer, into amateur telescope making, or a gadget-lover, or a shutterbug, an aesthetic, or a casual scientific astronomer. And the question of whether to specialize . . . on planets, deep-sky objects, meteors . . . ? "You don't have to make a decision right away, just go out and have fun." With easy humor he tells of mistakes, like money spent foolishly, things broken and lost, getting in trouble with the spouse, and says, "I can laugh now -- even while crying -- at my blunders and bloopers." Fulton advises, "Get mad, and kick and spit -- but don't quit. And don't forget to laugh." He sums up the book with some final thoughts. Be patient and understanding -- with yourself and your neighbors and family. Don't feel guilty for NOT observing on a clear night; and don't become an astroholic and lose your family. Cut your family and your neighbors some slack, even when they leave lights on and do not appear to appreciate your passion. Even when things that didn't bother you "B. T." (before telescope) really bug you now. Take it easy, lighten up. "No one ever said astronomy wa

A real gem of a book. Laugh out loud funny!

A newbie's guide written by a cynic. Extremely helpful information to the newcomer wanting to buy a telescope, even useful for the experienced observer thinking of buying a second scope. But what REALLY makes this book special are the hilarious anecdotes and on-target descriptions of familiar companies with the names thinly disguised. Far and away the funniest book on amateur astronomy ever published. A must read!

A great cloudy night read for fledgling amateur astronomers

This is the book that kept the hobby in perspective for me when I first was captured by the wonders of the night sky. This is a fun, quick read and should be mandatory reading before someone can buy a telescope.