Books, magazines, DVDs, links--
what we have used and loved or wouldn't be without.
what we have used and loved or wouldn't be without.
Some of these may be available to be purchased at our programs.
Books
365 Starry Nights : An Introduction to Astronomy for Every Night
of the Year by Chet Raymo
365 Starry Nights is a unique and fascinating introduction to
astronomy designed to give you a complete, clear picture of the sky every night
of the year. Divided into 365 concise, illustrated essays, it focuses on the
aesthetic as well as the scientific aspects of stargazing. It offers the most
up-to-date information available, with hundreds of charts, drawings, and
maps-that take you beyond the visible canopy of stars and constellations into
the unseen realm of nebulae and galaxies.
Simple Stargazing: A First-Time Skywatcher's Guide by Anton Vamplew
Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope - and How to Find Them by Guy Consolmagno, Dan M. Davis
Exploring the Night Sky: The Equinox Astronomy Guide for Beginners by Terence Dickinson
Binocular Highlights is a tour of 99 different celestial sights - from softly glowing clouds of gas and dust to unusual stars, clumps of stars, and vast star cities (galaxies) - all visible in binoculars. Each object is plotted on a detailed, easy-to-use star map, and most of these sights can be found even in a light-polluted sky. Also included are four seasonal all-sky charts that help locate each highlight. You don't need fancy or expensive equipment to enjoy the wonders of the night sky. In fact, as even experienced stargazers know, to go beyond the naked-eye sky and delve deep into the universe, all you need are binoculars - even the ones hanging unused in your closet. If you don't own any, Binocular Highlights explains what to look for when choosing binoculars for stargazing and provides observing tips for users of these portable and versatile mini-telescopes.
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Find the Constellations by H. A. Rey
Containing star charts, a guide to the constellations, and details about
seasons and the movement of the objects we see in the sky, this classic
book makes H. A. Rey’s passion for astronomy evident on every page.
Second edition updates concentrate on the planetary and solar system
information in the latter part of the book. Facts and figures for each
planet have been revised, and new scientific information has been added,
such as Pluto’s reclassification as a dwarf planet. (Children's book)
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The Stars by H. A. Rey
Containing star charts, a guide to the constellations, and details about
seasons and the movement of the objects we see in the sky, this classic
book makes H. A. Rey’s passion for astronomy evident on every page. Second edition updates concentrate on the planetary and solar system
information in the latter half of the book. Facts and figures for each
planet have been revised, and new scientific information has been added,
including sections on earth-asteroid collisions, black holes,
supernovas, the Kuiper Belt (asteroid belt beyond Neptune), Pluto’s
reclassification, and how the moon was formed.
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Star Watch: The Amateur Astronomer's Guide to Finding, observing, and Learning about Over 125 Celestial Objects by Philip S. Harrington
Your Passport to the Universe
The night sky is alive with many
wonders—distant planets, vast star clusters, glowing nebulae, and
expansive galaxies, all waiting to be explored. Let respected astronomy
writer Philip Harrington introduce you to the universe in Star Watch, a
complete beginner's guide to locating, observing, and understanding
these celestial objects. You'll start by identifying the surface
features of the Moon, the banded cloud tops of Jupiter, the stunning
rings of Saturn, and other members of our solar system. Then you'll
venture out beyond our solar system, where you'll learn tips and tricks
for finding outstanding deep-sky objects from stars to galaxies,
including the entire Messier catalog—a primary goal of every serious
beginner.
Star Watch features a detailed
physical description of each target, including size, distance, and
structure, as well as concise directions for locating the objects, handy
finder charts, hints on the best times to view each object, and
descriptions of what you'll really see through a small telescope or
binoculars and with the naked eye.
Star Watch will transport you to the farthest depths of space—and return you as a well-traveled, experienced stargazer.
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A fun and informative skywatcher's guide for the astronomy novice
This book will make sense of the
night sky for beginners of all ages. And contrary to popular belief, you
don't need expensive equipment to start skygazing. The author
introduces the night sky just as if he were by your side, pointing out
all the things you can discover with the naked eye.
The book begins with a
getting-started section and then takes you through the northern and
southern hemispheres, covering what you can see from wherever you are in
the world. With full-color illustrations and clear, informative text, Simple Stargazing is the perfect tool for the budding skywatcher. Inside
you will find photographs, charts, and
illustrations to help you explore the night sky; sources for further reading and
research; and a glossary of terms.
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Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope - and How to Find Them by Guy Consolmagno, Dan M. Davis
A guidebook for beginning amateur astronomers, Turn Left at Orion
provides all the information you need to observe the Moon, the planets
and a whole host of celestial objects. Large format diagrams show these
objects exactly as they appear in a small telescope and for each object
there is information on the current state of our astronomical knowledge.
Revised and updated, this new
edition contains a chapter describing spectacular deep sky objects
visible from the southern hemisphere, and tips on observing the upcoming
transits of Venus. It also includes a discussion of Dobsonian
telescopes, with hints on using personal computers and the internet as
aids for planning an observing session. Unlike many guides to the night
sky, this book is specifically written for observers using small
telescopes. Clear and easy-to-use, this fascinating book will appeal to
skywatchers of all ages and backgrounds. No previous knowledge of
astronomy is needed.
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Exploring the Night Sky: The Equinox Astronomy Guide for Beginners by Terence Dickinson
Exploring the Night Sky is aimed at novice star gazers anxious to
expand their astronomical repertoire beyond the Big and Little Dippers.
Dickinson has designed a superb introduction to astronomy that is
clear, concise, beautifully illustrated, and very "user friendly" no
matter what the child's age. (Children's book)
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Binocular Highlights is a tour of 99 different celestial sights - from softly glowing clouds of gas and dust to unusual stars, clumps of stars, and vast star cities (galaxies) - all visible in binoculars. Each object is plotted on a detailed, easy-to-use star map, and most of these sights can be found even in a light-polluted sky. Also included are four seasonal all-sky charts that help locate each highlight. You don't need fancy or expensive equipment to enjoy the wonders of the night sky. In fact, as even experienced stargazers know, to go beyond the naked-eye sky and delve deep into the universe, all you need are binoculars - even the ones hanging unused in your closet. If you don't own any, Binocular Highlights explains what to look for when choosing binoculars for stargazing and provides observing tips for users of these portable and versatile mini-telescopes.
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The Year-Round Messier Marathon Field Guide: With Complete Maps, Charts and Tips to Guide You to Enjoying the Most Famous List of Deep-Sky Objects by H. C. Pennington
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Sky & Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas by Roger W. Sinnott
This
80-chart atlas contains more than 30,000 stars to magnitude 7.6 and
approximately 1,500 deep-sky objects (including 675 galaxies to magnitude
11.5). Included are extra close-up charts of the Orion Nebula, Pleiades, Virgo
Galaxy Cluster, and Large Magellanic Cloud.
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A Walk through the Heavens: A Guide to Stars and Constellations and their Legends by Roger W. Sinnott
A Walk through the Heavens is a
beautiful and easy-to-use guide to the constellations of the northern
hemisphere. By following the unique simplified maps, readers will be able to
easily find and identify the constellations and the stars within them. Ancient
myths and legends of the sky are retold, adding to the mystery of the stars.
Written for the complete beginner, this practical guide introduces the patterns
of the starry skies in a memorable way. No equipment is needed, apart from
normal sight and clear skies. Milton D. Heifetz is a clinical professor of
neurosurgery at the University of Southern California and visiting professor at
Harvard Medical School. This is his first astronomy book. Wil Tirion is the
author of numerous sky guides, including The Cambridge Guide to Stars and
Planets (1997), The Cambridge Star Atlas (1996), and The Monthly Sky Guide
(Cambridge, 2003).
Magazines
SkyWatch, the annual companion to Sky & Telescope magazine,
is a complete guide to observing the night sky. It's easy for beginners
to understand, but also contains lots of information that's useful to
the most experienced observers, including capsule summaries and maps
showing the main sky events for each month of the year. It also includes
observing guides to the Moon, Sun, planets, and deep-sky objects.
The theme of SkyWatch 2012 is astronomy in motion. We explain how
to observe and capture the universe's dynamic nature through
observation, still photography, and video.
The world's best-selling astronomy magazine offers you the most
exciting, visually stunning, and timely coverage of the heavens above.
Each monthly issue includes expert science reporting, vivid color
photography, complete sky coverage, spot-on observing tips, informative
telescope reviews, and much more! All this in an easy-to-understand,
user-friendly style that's perfect for astronomers at any level.
Let our experts teach you the magic of the night sky. With Sky & Telescope
you'll receive in-depth information about the latest eyepieces,
telescopes, and CCDs. Learn the sky with our easy-to-use charts. And our
science coverage will keep you up-to-date on the latest discoveries.
Links
http://icastro.org
Iowa County Astronomers meet monthly in Dodgeville, WI, for stargazing. The club calendar at the website lists stargazing events for this year and beyond.
Iowa County Astronomers meet monthly in Dodgeville, WI, for stargazing. The club calendar at the website lists stargazing events for this year and beyond.
http://heavens-above.com
Tells you where and when to look for the International Space Station and other satellites passing overhead in your location.
Tells you where and when to look for the International Space Station and other satellites passing overhead in your location.
http://www.astro.wisc.edu/the-public/universe-in-the-park/
Universe
in the Park brings UW astronomers to Wisconsin state parks for a presentation and
stargazing in the summer.
A
"latest news" site.
