Astronomy Hacks: Tips and Tools for Observing the Night Sky
by Barbara Fritchman Thompson, Robert Bruce Thompson
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Book Reviews of Astronomy Hacks: Tips and Tools for Observing the Night Sky
Book Review: A book to grow with as your skills/experience/interest grow
Summary: 4 Stars
Gazing at the night sky is part of our nature. Whether for scientific and/or aesthetic purposes, we humans are fascinated by the enormity and beauty of the heavens.
The authors explain how astronomy gives them an "unchanging framework that places us in context within the universe. We look at the Great Orion Nebula, for example, and realize that the light we see tonight began its journey about 1,550 years ago, when the Roman Empire was in its final days."
This book is a comprehensive (almost 400 pages) guide to getting the most out of your nocturnal viewings. It will be useful for the complete amateur, the hobbyist and even offer some tips for the seasoned astronomer.
Don't be frightened by the word "Hacks" in the title. Like other O'Reilly Hacks books, this is not a compilation of illegal or unethical computer programs. It is a reclaiming of the original meaning of the word "hacks." Before the media started using the term hackers for everyone from mischievous teens to dangerous criminals, a Hacker was someone who used a creative workaround or discovered a more elegant, or quick-and-dirty, solution to a problem.
You probably won't read this book from cover to cover. Depending on where you are starting from and where you want to go, you will find sections that pertain to your interest and experience. Early in the book is a guide to choosing binoculars and telescopes. I like the hack that explains how to measure your "entrance pupil size" using Allen wrenches. This will suggest the optimal telescope for my eyes.
The book also gives tips, guidelines and even etiquette for venturing out alone or with others on an observation trip.
There is some solid information as to how our eyes function in the dark. If you are eager to see stars, you can skip some of this but I found it interesting. Especially the explanation of why all cats are gray in the dark.
After about 100 pages you will get into star identification and cataloging. It begins with the Bayer Catalog, (Johann Bayer published the first comprehensive star atlas in 1603) and then includes more modern catalogs.
The authors provide lists of, say, the 88 modern constellations and include a pronunciation guide so you don't sound like a newbie.
As an "urban observer" (about 8 miles from downtown), I have different equipment needs and techniques than a country dweller. There is a whole section dedicated to Urban Observing Skills.
For the adventurous, there is a game plan to complete a Messier Marathon (seeing and logging all 110 Messier Objects in one night.
Astronomy has long been linked to photography and there are a lot of hacks dealing with taking pictures of the images you observe.
Those who have gone beyond the beginner stage will appreciate all the hacks and modifications you can make to your telescope and other equipment to improve your experience. And the book concludes with hacks to make your PC a better tool in your observations.
This book provides a nice starting point for people interested in the night sky. But it's not a beginner's book. As your skills and interest grow, you will continue to uncover new and useful ideas from this book.
Book Review: An excellent guide to getting the most out of amateur astronomy
Summary: 5 Stars
As a boy, I remember often sleeping out in our back yard on warm summer nights in the small Southern Utah town where I grew up. More often than not, I slept under the stars, with nothing to obstruct the excellent views of the sky (largely unobscured by the ever-encroaching city lights that now cloud most nightime skies). I think it must have been those evenings when I learned from my brothers about the different constellations, and the milky way, that my appreciation for the broad expanse of a star-studded night sky must have grown.
As a teenager, I received a small, cheap telescope for Christmas one year, out of which I milked the best possible views of the planets I possibly could. The first time I was miraculaously able to pinpoint the tiny disk of Saturn flanked by its rings through that wobbly scope was a magical moment.
As an adult, I have far less time to devote to the hobby, but I still enjoy looking out into the very depths of eternity on a dark night when the milky way paints a broad swath across the sky. Despite the limited time I spend under the stars I still enjoy reading about the topic. When I heard O'Reilly was creating a Hacks book on astronomy, I was eager to get my hands on a copy.
Imagine being able to cull the best information and guidance out of years of attending star parties, years of tips gleaned from rubbing shoulders with the 'old-timers', and putting it all into one book. Such a book would probably be something like Astronomy Hacks, in which long-time amatuer astronomers Robert and Barbara Thompson and their colleagues share a number of useful tips and hints devoted to helping you get the most enjoyment and fulfillment out of amateur astronomy.
The book contains 65 'hacks', each a short article about a particular topic in amatuer observing. A wide range of topics is covered, from selecting equipment, to guidance on observing tactics, to software you can use to enhance your experience. Some of my favorite topics included selecting the right set of eyepieces for your scope, working your way through a single constellation to become more familiar with that particular piece of sky, tips for completing a successfule Messier marathon, and recommendations on how to get the best scope without breaking your bank. You'll find useful information regardless of whether you've got a lot or a little to spend.
The book's authors do a very good job at providing lots of detailed and useful information in each hack. The book is authoritative and its suggestions are backed by plenty of experience in the field. In addition to the technical nitty-gritty, the book also provides a good introduction to the culture of amatuer astronomy and will help you "ease-in" as you get acquainted with your local group of astronomy enthusiasts.
Overall, the book provides heaps of practical information and tips that might take you years of experience to gain otherwise. The book repects its audience, there's no dumbing down here, just plenty of what's useful to help you get more of your time under the heavens. If there's one thing lacking from the book it's that there's only 65 hacks, whereas most of the Hacks series have 100. But nonetheless, what's there is very good.
Book Review: Astronomy Hacks to the Rescue!
Summary: 5 Stars
In this hectic world of rushing around, some of us are lucky enough to get outside and enjoy the night sky from time to time. This book will help you get the most out of your time practicing amateur astronomy. It's a collection of advice, short essays, tips and tricks that will help you get up to speed without many of the frustrations typically encountered when learning this hobby.
The authors jump right in with invaluable tips that every amateur astronomer should know. The first chapter is loaded with goodies that will help you get geared up and understand basic safety, observing site etiquette, preparation, and offers advice on choosing the right equipment.
From there, you are taken into the field with a heap of great observing hacks. Starting with the basics like how to keep your night vision, you'll learn how to describe the brightness of an object, identify stars by name and understanding the various celestial coordinate systems. Fundamentals like learning to locate objects geometrically, star hopping, and learning to see both deep & shallow space objects are also covered here.
Urban observing skills, organized logging, and how to prepare for and run a Messier Marathon are included as well. The book closes with chapters covering scope and accessory hacks like collimation, tricking out your Dobsonian, aligning and upgrading your finder scope, and help on choosing planetarium software for your computer.
The hacks vary in length from quick single-pagers up to some very thorough ten-plus page hacks. The book contains many black & white photographs that compliment the text. When you decide it's time to clean your primary mirror for example, several photos of the multi-step process help guide you through. Icons accompany each hack, indicating the relative complexity of the hack, from beginner to expert. Each hack is numbered (from 1 to 65) and cross references are shown where related hacks are mentioned.
Other reviews of this book mention the authors' bias towards Dobsonian scopes. The authors don't have blinders on; they thoroughly describe many types of telescopes (and binoculars) and the advantages and disadvantages of each type. They have spent a huge amount of time in the field and they are simply reporting their observations when they say "If you attend a large star party, you'll probably see more Dobs than all other types of scopes combined." The reason so many people buy them is simple: Dobs offer arguably the best bang for the buck. If you're a beginner, you'll do well to learn the basics of star hopping and celestial navigation without relying on the crutch of a go-to scope. Have the batteries in your GPS ever died when you were in an unfamiliar area? Good thing you know how to read a map. ;)
Astronomy Hacks is the second book I've read by the dynamic duo of Robert & Barbara Thompson. Their book Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders was an excellent read and continues to be a great resource. I highly recommend both of these books.
Book Review: Top-notch for serious beginners and intermediate observers
Summary: 5 Stars
This latest in the Hacks series contains 65 "tips and tools for observing the night sky". The lay-flat binding stays put on the table for easy reference, and the clean and well-organized appearance of the text complements the clear and concise style of the prose itself. Well-illustrated with photographs and charts, this book contains a wealth of practical information, including the all-important bang-for-the buck comparisons that are important to everyone whose budget is not unlimited.
Astronomy is one of the most demanding and technical of hobbies. There is simply no way to avoid the necessity of understanding and using physics and mathematics in order to be a successful observer. Likewise, the mechanical nature of the telescopes and the related equipment requires a degree of basic familiarity with the tools needed to adjust and maintain them. The Thompson's have an admirable talent for adequate explanation of theory combined with a sound grounding in practice, and their obvious enthusiasm for the subject is apparent, from introduction to index.
The hacks are divided into four chapters, each with a strong hands-on emphasis. Advise for the beginner in "Getting Started" ranges from how to prepare for success in the hobby to succinct advise on choosing equipment from current (Spring 2005) offerings. For the budding astronomer, this section alone is worth the price.
"Observing Hacks" is an introduction to the nuts-and-bolts of observing. Understanding the nomenclature of the hobby and being able to read charts and use them to navigate the night sky are explained clearly and methodically, as are the skills necessary for viewing a variety of objects, and the all-important record keeping needed to document your progress.
The authors own a 10-inch Dobsonian reflector, and their preference for that type of instrument is shown in the rest of the book. Many hacks are instrument-specific, with the Dobson the most frequent subject. Other instruments are represented, but not in as much detail. This is less a weakness than a limitation of the space available.
"Scope Hacks" provides a variety of tips for getting the most out of the equipment through proper maintenance and inexpensive methods of improving the optical performance.
"Accessory Hacks" is a compendium of useful tips related to accessories on and off the telescope. Most notable is the practical advice on choosing and using eyepieces.
If everyone who reads this book recommends it to their fellow astronomy enthusiasts, then we should be able to look forward to a sequel. Here's hoping.
Book Review: Astronomy in 65 "Hacks"
Summary: 5 Stars
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.