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 Great Addition To Dickinson & Dyer
Summary: 4 Stars
"Astronomy Hacks" is a fine book that will serve as a useful reference for both the neophyte as well as more experienced observer. It is filled with many excellent ideas and suggestions and is laid out in a very readable format.
For those with a little seasoning the book can serve as a useful and enjoyable guide to various tweaks and projects that will ultimately make observing more rewarding.
For those who are truly new to astronomy and observing, this book will serve as a fine companion to such books as "Nightwatch" (Dickinson) and "The Backyard Astronomer's Guide" (Dickinson & Dyer).
There is a lot of useful information compiled in "Astronomy Hacks". The kind of information that one would have to spend a lot of time gathering on their own both under the night sky as well as online via some of the premier astronomical websites.
The book is not without some minor caveats. The authors do have their opinions and some of them may appear to be expressed as fact rather than opinion. One or two may (in my humble opinion) have been overstated (in multiple sections of the book) to the point of causing some concern or confusion on the part of novice telescope and equipment purchasers.
Still, this is a minor blemish in the overall scheme of things and I believe the book would be a fine addition to the library of those of us who enjoy spending time observing the wonders of the night sky.
Book Review: Tips, tricks and other insider info
Summary: 5 Stars
The title "Astronomy Hacks" may confuse some people. Usually when we think of hacks we think of hackers, people who break into computer systems. Well they do it with insider knowledge. They know how the system works and how to gain entrance.
Astronomy Hacks lets you in on the insider secrets. There are two ways to gain this knowlege. You can enjoy the Astronomy hobby for many years and slowly gain knowledge by the very helpful people in this hobby. The other way is to read this book.
In a short time you learn the tricks, tips that usually takes years to aquire. I've found the advice to always be sound. Sometimes it's pretty obvious, but it's still truthful, helpful. Maybe what is obvious to me isn't to others, and vice versa.
I find the book to be easy reading full of fascinating information. I feel much more comfortable enjoying my hobby after reading this book than I did before. There are parts that were a little advanced for me at the beginning. After a few months I re-read them and now better understand them.
I would recommend this book to any amateur astronomer. It's most useful to people like me, the beginning amateur. I think the intermediate astronomer will also gain useful insights.
My copy is dog eared and I'm still reading parts of it. If your interested in this hobby this is the primer for you!
Book Review: The Beginners Bible for Inexpensive Dob Owners
Summary: 4 Stars
If you're just starting out, using an inexpensive Chinese or Taiwanese Dobson scope, this is the book you're looking for. If you own a Starmaster, Obsession, etc., this book is of less interest. It is primarily a collection of very useful and concise collection of tidbits of information that are scattered all over the place. My main objection to the book is the almost total concentration on Orion products. I own six telescopes, including a number of Orion products and am SVD 8 myself, but I don't consider Orion products to all be that great or even cost effective. Their products are usually acceptable. Some of their products are good values, but in general, with some exceptions, I avoid Orion. You can often buy equivalent products for less elsewhere. The only exception seems to be when the hacks get to eyepieces. Now they advocate eyepieces that may cost almost as much as the telescope, especially if the scope is fast. I understand the point, but it seems contradictory (cheap scope with an expensive eyepiece).
I don't want to give the impression that I think this is a less than useful book. It is very useful. Just note, as the authors often do, that, while trying to be fair, their personal preferences are woven into the fabric of the book. It should appeal to the widest possible entry level readership who more often than not buys Orion (or equivalent) equipment.
Book Review: Informative book
Summary: 5 Stars
This book contains a wealth of general observing information. While it is true (as other reviewers have said) this book does have a lean toward Dobsonian mounted telescopes, I did not find the information to be heavily weighted in that direction. Most of this book is on general observing information, and it isn't presented from a Dobsonian perspective. Some of the "hacks" are for dobsonian mounted telescopes and many are for general observing. One obvious point in this book is the Authors affinity for Orion products. I have never seen a book that was so heavily weighted toward one manufacturers products, unless that manufacturer wrote the book. Still, the Authors did mention any apparent negative aspects of a product they were referring to, even if it was an Orion product. It seemed when the Authors were covering a topic on equipment, wherever possible they mentioned that Orion had a product.
Although there are 65 "hacks" in the book, each hack has many tips. Tips that a beginner will appreciate as well as many experienced amateur astronomers. There are no chapters on "the moon", "the planets", "deep space objects", etc. Just A LOT of information on general observing. My advice: If you're looking for a book that has a lot of information that anyone, from beginner to advanced can find valuable, this book is one of them.
Book Review: Good and interesting, better used as a modern complement to other books
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a good and informative book that is amusing to read. It is hard to add anything to what has already been written in these reviews but here comes my little contribution. There is a wealth of information in this book, although, as other stated, biased towards dobsonians. My favourite parts are the good description of modern type of oculars and on urban observing skills. I think that Sidgwick's "Amateur Astronomer's Handbook" contains much more substance than this book, but as it is badly dated, I find the combination of both a very complete set of information for the amateur astronomer.
My only negative comment on this book is on the opening sentence in hack 27 ("Maintain an observing notebook"): "Being organized makes your observing sessions more productive". Of course the importance of a logbook cannot be overestimated in science (I am a scientist and know what I am talking about) and it is also central for the serious amateur astronomer. However, I was struck by the mentioning of the concept "productivity", as it seems to me extraneous and disquieting in the context of a hobby. Beware that this is my personal opinion, I really do not want to care about "productivity" in my hobby. As an amateur astronomer I observe the skies for the only sake of enjoyment and the feeling of awe about nature (although I do have an sketch- and logbook!).