List of Contents

Introduction by Jeff Medkeff;
Part I. Background:
1.1 The cosmic backdrop;
1.2 Positional astronomy;
1.3 Time and the calendar;
1.4 The magnitude system;

Part II. Equipment:
2.1 Telescopes;
2.2 Mounts and drives;
2.3 Eyepieces;
2.4 Filters;
2.5 Telescope accessories;
2.6 Binoculars;

Part III. How to Observe:
3.1 Sketching what you observe;
3.2 Astrophotography;
3.3 Digital and video cameras;
3.4 The CCD;
3.5 Photometry;
3.6 Spectroscopy;

Part IV. Observing Tips.

Part V. References and Other:
5.1 Books and atlases;
5.2 Catalogues of the deep sky;
5.3 Software;
5.4 Observatories;
5.5 The social astronomer;
5.6 Light pollution;

Part VI. What to Observe:
6.1 Nightfall;
6.2 The Sun;
6.3 The Aurora;
6.4 The Moon;
6.5 Eclipses and transits;
6.6 Mercury and Venus;
6.7 Mars;
6.8 Jupiter;
6.9 Saturn;
6.10 The outer planets;
6.11 Asteroids;
6.12 Comets;
6.13 Meteors and meteor showers;

Part VII. Deep Sky Objects:
7.1 Double stars;
7.2 Variable stars;
7.3 Supernovae;
7.4 Occultations;
7.5 Nebulae;
7.6 Star clusters;
7.7 Galaxies;

Appendices
Glossary
Index