Terence Dickinson is the author of Night Watch and 13 other astronomy books, among them The Universe and Beyond, Summer Stargazing and Exploring the Night Sky. He is also editor of SkyNews.
Alan Dyer is program producer at the Calgary Science Centre Planetarium and a contributing editor to Sky and Telescope magazine. An authority on commercial telescopes, his reviews of astronomical equipment appear regularly in major astronomy magazines.
[Review of earlier edition: ] Besides its practical benefits, this
book is a real treat for the eyes. It's loaded with colorful
photographs, graphics and information boxes.--John McPhee "Halifax
Chronicle-Herald" (2/1/2003 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] Big colorful user-friendly book ... I
recommend this book for anyone who is contemplating buying a
telescope, has one but does not quite know how to use it, or wants
to learn more about accessories and fun activities to supplement
his or her stargazing. If you teach observational astronomy, run a
public observatory, or conduct community stargazing classes, put
this magazine down and order it right now ... This book is your
passport to the stars.--David Aguilar "Sky and Telescope" (8/1/2003
12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] Crammed with practical information
that should help you become a better observer, and have fun doing
it.--Craig Tupper "Astronomy" (5/1/2003 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] Excellent introductory text ...
completely revised... it is lushly illustrated in color
throughout.--Ursula Ellis "E-Streams, Vol. 6, No. 4"
[Review of earlier edition: ] Few books capture the spirit of the
hobby so well -- the pleasures and the pitfalls of the equipment
you might need, and the simple joy of watching the universe go
by.-- "American Scientist" (1/1/2003 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] I highly recommend this volume for
most amateur astronomers and all libraries. I wish I had read it
before I purchased my first telescope.--John O. Christensen
"Science Books and Films" (10/15/2003 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] If an amateur astronomer could afford
one book, this would be the one to get ... one of the most
attractive practical astronomy works ever produced.--Russ Francis
"Monday Magazine"
[Review of earlier edition: ] Its nontechnical language makes
astronomy an avocation accessible to everyone.-- "Library Journal"
(5/1/2003 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] Lively, accessible style; is
comprehensive; and is lavishly illustrated with hundreds of
photographs, diagrams, and charts... highly recommended for any
library.--Mark Wilson "American Reference Books Annual, Volume 35"
(1/1/2004 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] More than any other guide to backyard
observing, this excellent book focuses on equipment.-- "Astronomy"
(11/1/2004 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] Recommended for all libraries and for
experienced or inexperienced amateur astronomers.--A.R. Upgren
"Choice" (4/1/2003 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] This all-encompassing reference
provides practical advice.-- "Science News" (1/4/2003 12:00:00
AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] This book is an indispensable tool
for any serious naturalist who wants to understand and experience
the full expanse of the world and universe around us.--Pierre R.
Gauthier "Canadian Camera" (6/1/2003 12:00:00 AM)
A magnificently illustrated and superb guide to astronomy is
contained in the newest edition of The Backyard Astronomer's
Guide.... Overall, this title is a beautiful and informative
resource for the amateur astronomer, both the beginner and the
experienced.--Denise A. Garofalo "American Reference Book
Annual"
Dickinson and Dyer provide considerable information that amateur
astronomers will appreciate... Complementing the informative text
are hundreds of colour photographs and illustrations as well as a
20-page, full-colour atlas of the Milky Way that includes 10
charts. This revised and expanded third edition will be of interest
to serious amateur astronomers.--Glenn Perrett "Simcoe.com"
(10/2/2010 12:00:00 AM)
I fondly remember haunting my favorite bookstore as a college
student in the early 1990s, ogling the big, full-color astronomy
texts, when I happened upon The Backyard Astronomer's Guide. It
wasn't as flashy as the other books, but I was quickly taken by its
practical information, covering all the subjects I was interested
in as a fledgling amateur. Now in its third edition, Terence
Dickinson and Alan Dyer have completely rewritten large sections to
keep in lockstep with the evolving trends. Like an old friend who
has grown wiser over time, this compendium has become better with
age. It's good-looking too--though chock-full of useful
information, none of the full-color layouts appear cramped or
confused. Immediately from the first chapter the authors' fluid
writing style draws you in, casually introducing you to the pursuit
of the night sky. As in previous editions, the flow comfortably
builds with each page, easing you into progressively challenging
subjects without missing a step. The text builds though each
successive chapter, describing today's plethora of binoculars,
telescopes, mounts, eyepieces, and other accessories. We then move
on to delve deeply into everything of interest in the sky, from the
planets to deep-sky objects. The detailed yet accessible
explanation of celestial mechanics should be required reading for
everyone. The third part introduces digital astrophotography. Yes,
digital--it starts out by stating that film is dead. This new
section covers everything you need to get started taking pictures,
including some useful parts of Adobe Photoshop. The Backyard
Astronomer's Guide closes with a set of beautifully rendered charts
of the Milky Way by Glenn LeDrew. Opposing pages display a color
version and a labeled, black-on-white version plotted to magnitude
9. Dickinson and Dyer have brought their excellent guide further
into the 21st century. I can't recommend it highly enough.--Sean
Walker "Sky and Telescope" (4/1/2009 12:00:00 AM)
The Backyard Astronomer's Guide continues to impress, offering a
little something for everyone. If you have never seen this book
before, now is the time to add it to your collection. It is one
book you will never tire of opening, always finding something of
interest in the world of astronomy.-- "Shelf Life" (4/1/2011
12:00:00 AM)
With over 500 color photographs and illustrations, this book is a
valuable, beautiful and user-friendly astronomy reference.-- "Lunar
and Planetary Information Bulletin" (12/1/2008 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] Besides its practical benefits, this
book is a real treat for the eyes. It's loaded with colorful
photographs, graphics and information boxes.--John McPhee "Halifax
Chronicle-Herald" (2/1/2003 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] Big colorful user-friendly book ... I
recommend this book for anyone who is contemplating buying a
telescope, has one but does not quite know how to use it, or wants
to learn more about accessories and fun activities to supplement
his or her stargazing. If you teach observational astronomy, run a
public observatory, or conduct community stargazing classes, put
this magazine down and order it right now ... This book is your
passport to the stars.--David Aguilar "Sky and Telescope" (8/1/2003
12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] Crammed with practical information
that should help you become a better observer, and have fun doing
it.--Craig Tupper "Astronomy" (5/1/2003 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] Excellent introductory text ...
completely revised... it is lushly illustrated in color
throughout.--Ursula Ellis "E-Streams, Vol. 6, No. 4"
[Review of earlier edition: ] Few books capture the spirit of the
hobby so well -- the pleasures and the pitfalls of the equipment
you might need, and the simple joy of watching the universe go
by.-- "American Scientist" (1/1/2003 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] I highly recommend this volume for
most amateur astronomers and all libraries. I wish I had read it
before I purchased my first telescope.--John O. Christensen
"Science Books and Films" (10/15/2003 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] If an amateur astronomer could afford
one book, this would be the one to get ... one of the most
attractive practical astronomy works ever produced.--Russ Francis
"Monday Magazine"
[Review of earlier edition: ] Its nontechnical language makes
astronomy an avocation accessible to everyone.-- "Library Journal"
(5/1/2003 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] Lively, accessible style; is
comprehensive; and is lavishly illustrated with hundreds of
photographs, diagrams, and charts... highly recommended for any
library.--Mark Wilson "American Reference Books Annual, Volume 35"
(1/1/2004 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] More than any other guide to backyard
observing, this excellent book focuses on equipment.-- "Astronomy"
(11/1/2004 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] Recommended for all libraries and for
experienced or inexperienced amateur astronomers.--A.R. Upgren
"Choice" (4/1/2003 12:00:00 AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] This all-encompassing reference
provides practical advice.-- "Science News" (1/4/2003 12:00:00
AM)
[Review of earlier edition: ] This book is an indispensable tool
for any serious naturalist who wants to understand and experience
the full expanse of the world and universe around us.--Pierre R.
Gauthier "Canadian Camera" (6/1/2003 12:00:00 AM)
A magnificently illustrated and superb guide to astronomy is
contained in the newest edition of The Backyard Astronomer's
Guide.... Overall, this title is a beautiful and informative
resource for the amateur astronomer, both the beginner and the
experienced.--Denise A. Garofalo "American Reference Book
Annual"
Dickinson and Dyer provide considerable information that amateur
astronomers will appreciate... Complementing the informative text
are hundreds of colour photographs and illustrations as well as a
20-page, full-colour atlas of the Milky Way that includes 10
charts. This revised and expanded third edition will be of interest
to serious amateur astronomers.--Glenn Perrett "Simcoe.com"
(10/2/2010 12:00:00 AM)
I fondly remember haunting my favorite bookstore as a college
student in the early 1990s, ogling the big, full-color astronomy
texts, when I happened upon The Backyard Astronomer's Guide. It
wasn't as flashy as the other books, but I was quickly taken by its
practical information, covering all the subjects I was interested
in as a fledgling amateur. Now in its third edition, Terence
Dickinson and Alan Dyer have completely rewritten large sections to
keep in lockstep with the evolving trends. Like an old friend who
has grown wiser over time, this compendium has become better with
age. It's good-looking too--though chock-full of useful
information, none of the full-color layouts appear cramped or
confused. Immediately from the first chapter the authors' fluid
writing style draws you in, casually introducing you to the pursuit
of the night sky. As in previous editions, the flow comfortably
builds with each page, easing you into progressively challenging
subjects without missing a step. The text builds though each
successive chapter, describing today's plethora of binoculars,
telescopes, mounts, eyepieces, and other accessories. We then move
on to delve deeply into everything of interest in the sky, from the
planets to deep-sky objects. The detailed yet accessible
explanation of celestial mechanics should be required reading for
everyone. The third part introduces digital astrophotography. Yes,
digital--it starts out by stating that film is dead. This new
section covers everything you need to get started taking pictures,
including some useful parts of Adobe Photoshop. The Backyard
Astronomer's Guide closes with a set of beautifully rendered charts
of the Milky Way by Glenn LeDrew. Opposing pages display a color
version and a labeled, black-on-white version plotted to magnitude
9. Dickinson and Dyer have brought their excellent guide further
into the 21st century. I can't recommend it highly enough.--Sean
Walker "Sky and Telescope" (4/1/2009 12:00:00 AM)
The Backyard Astronomer's Guide continues to impress, offering a
little something for everyone. If you have never seen this book
before, now is the time to add it to your collection. It is one
book you will never tire of opening, always finding something of
interest in the world of astronomy.-- "Shelf Life" (4/1/2011
12:00:00 AM)
With over 500 color photographs and illustrations, this book is a
valuable, beautiful and user-friendly astronomy reference.-- "Lunar
and Planetary Information Bulletin" (12/1/2008 12:00:00 AM)
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