Skyguide, a Field Guide for Amateur Astronomers

Don't let the small size fool you, this is a complete college level introductory textbook on Astronomy! For amateur astronomers, you won't need anything else for theory. Using it in the field, might be rather cumbersome, as it is so loaded with information, it might be hard to sift out what you want "On the Fly". Excellent book!

This little book is a great reference that handles most any issue an amateur astronomer might encounter in his gazing exploits. There is a thorough yet concise treatment of Basic Astronomy, followed by sections on Astronomical Instruments, Stars, The Various planets, and other celestial bodies. The illustrations and charts are wonderful and there is a very thorough treatment of each constellation, many tables, a good bibliography, and index of observatories and planetariums. It amazing what has been packed into this very small book!

The one and only knock against this great field guide (and kudos to the others who have pointed out that it's NOT a children's book, but simply the best introductory handbook to astronomy ever published) is that it will fall apart with regular use within a couple of years. This is inexcusable in a field guide, but the book is so wonderful and user-friendly that it still gets my five stars. If I could split the review: the book would get 5 stars, the publisher 0 stars.But it's so cheap compared to other guides, like the lousy Norton's Star Atlas, that you can afford another when it shreds in your hands after a couple years use at the scope.Bottom line: great book, but should be sewn-bound!!!

The definitive field guide for astronomers. It covers everthing from telescopes, to star types, to star charts, to the constellations, and our solar system. Full color pictures, illustrations, formulas, and definitions make this book a serious resource.

I concur with Barry Johnson's thoughtful review of Skyguide. I would like to point out that the book's "grey pages" are it's finest feature. The constellation charts and their accompanying descriptions are superb, and are the most useful of any that I have seen in this size format. Contrary to the publisher's reading level description at he top of the page - the level is NOT 4 to 8 -- this is not a "children's" book. The reading level is 8 to adult. For a much more basic and simplified introduction to astronomy with younger enthusiasts in mind I would recommend Herbert S. Zim's "Stars" by the same publisher. By the way both of these books have been revised for the "90's".