Good book of astronomy photos?

[SJANSELL]

Hi,

Hope you don't mind an intruder from the bird forum!

I have recently bought my husband a good Skywatcher telescope for his birthday. He has always been interested in astronomy and I thought he might be able to combine this interest with photography and begin a proper hobby.

He absolutely loved it, and we have already been looking at the moon through it and are looking forward to doing more.

I know this sounds a bit sad, but I thought I might buy him a really nice book of astronomy photos OR a good book on taking astronomy photos for Valentines's day. We have been though all the usual presents over the years and now get presents we think the other person might really like!

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Many thanks,

Sarah

[loripo]

There is Patrick Moore's Yearbook of Astronomy 2010. Review says..

This fully updated 2010 edition features a range of specially commissioned articles by some of the world's top astronomers, an authoritative collection of charts and astronomical data, and a month-by-month guide to events in the coming year: planets, eclipses, comets, meteors, nebulae and phases of the moon

That might whet his appetite

[nytecam]

I'd suggest these fabulous pictured volumes...sometimes at discount...

The Stargazer's Handbook - atlas of the night sky by Giles Sparrow

Universe - a journey to the edge of the cosmos by Nicolas Cheetham

Galaxy - exploring the Milky Way by Stuart Clark

[carlos_dfc]

I'll also add a few things......

For great astrophotos.....
'Cosmos' by Giles Sparrow
Cosmos: A Field Guide - Giles Sparrow
It's a HUGE tome (you could put legs on it and turn it into a coffee table - LOL) with wonderful full-colour pics taken by the big pro observatories such as Hubble, SOHO, Keck, Subaru, etc...

A great new guide to astrophotography. Full of up-to-date info.
'Making Every Photon Count' by Steve Richards
Beginners guide to astro-photography
Steve is a very active amateur imager, really knows his stuff, and is currently 'Sky at Night' magazine's 'Scope-Doctor'


Also - If your hubby is a beginner.....
I HIGHLY recommend a couple of books (I always recommend these two to beginners) if he doesn't already have them:-

'Turn Left at Orion' by Guy Consolmagno & Dan Davis
Turn Left at Orion : Guy Consolmagno, Dan M. Davis
I honestly think this book should be included in all telescope packages aimed at beginners.
It lists over 100 objects for the beginner to look at - How to find them - What to expect to actually see in the eyepiece, with expalnations of exactly what you are seeing. I can't praise this book enough - all beginners should own it.

'NightWatch' by Terence Dickinson
Nightwatch - A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe : Terence Dickinson
While 'Turn Left' concentrates on finding and viewing things - 'NightWatch' gives background on just about every other aspect of amateur sky observing, and also includes a set of basic all-sky charts (the maps in Turn Left mostly concentrate on local areas of sky.

These two books in conjunction give a brilliant intro into the hobby.


I'd also suggest he joins an astronomy-specific forum too - such as:-
Sky at Night forum
Stargazers Lounge - Astronomy Forum
Society for Popular Astronomy :: forum
Progressive Astro-imaging Group (PAIG)
Or my own friendly little forum (shameless plug )
ASTRO-CHAT - Astronomy Forum

[SJANSELL]

Many thanks for all those suggestions. I've had to go with what I can get delivered quickly, so have ordered the Cheetham and Patrick Moore, but the others all look really useful, and could provide me with presents for some time to come! I think I will certainly get the photo one by Richards and Turn Left at Orion, although I'd personally be happy looking at the photos in books like Universe and Cosmos.

I'll also recommend the forums to him as well.

My next campaign is to get him to take early retirement or at least cut down at work, so he can stay up late to stargaze!

Cheers,
Sarah