Observing the Constellations

This book is very useful to the amateur astronomer since it contains much essential information about all of the 88 constellations and has clear, readable maps. There are also some fine photographs of outstanding celestial objects in the more interesting regions of the sky. The book does not cover the mythology, which is already featured in many other books, but it is excellent as an observing guide. The charts are a great companion for stargazing with binoculars and a small telescope. By all means add this book to your astronomy library-- even if you own other books about the constellations.

I bought this book used largely on the advice of the recommendations. They were not wrong. This book gives a grand tour of the skies in a comprehensive and thoughtful manner, very thoroughly documented with three perspectives:1) actual photographs of the constellations to train your eyes or stop hop from, 2)thoughtful descriptions and explanations 3) a comprehensive star atlas that easily rivals so-called star atlases such as Norton's and Collins, etc. I coulnd't find any difference in detail between much more expensive star-atlases and this book (maybe I didn't carefully enough). In fact, the photographs were so detailed (maybe not as lovely as Akira Fuji's), that many showed details well past the normal 7.5 magnitude stars and you could use these for star-hopping (although for a beginner, this is quite difficult until you train your eye). This isn't, however, quite as easy for the beginner to use as say Turn left at Orion, but I believe most can move on from that book within a few months whereas one cannot say that of Sanford's book.

I managed to get a translated copy in Swedish of this book, "Stjärnboken" in a used-books store in Stockholm. The charts by Wil Tirion are excellent. Clear and accurate but not overly simplified. Sanford's narration is very pleasant with a good balance between the different DSO's that are interesting for people with different equipment. What really impressed me even more are the full colour pictures of *every* constellation in the night-sky. A tremendous effort, which provides great help in learning the constelations and the relative positions of deep-sky objects. I can't understand why this book is out of print. Someone should buy the rights for this book and publish it again. If you find a used-copy, grab one for me too =).

It's truly amazing that this book is no longer in print. How is this possible? I have found it to be the best general constellation guide for naked eye, binocular or telescopic observing that I have seen. It provides very good star charts and photos of each constellation and summarises the most prominent objects (multiple and variable stars, deep sky objects, etc) in each constellation, providing locations (on star chart and coordinates), basic information and data on each object. I take it with me on every observation session. The book is well organised, easily understood and its setup/content caters for the beginner, intermediate and even more advanced observer. I believe it would take a long time for a beginner to "outgrow" (if it's even possible) the usefulness of this book. I believe it's a must have in the astronomical library. Again, I ask..."Why is this book no longer being published!?!" David, Astronomy Enthusiast

Sanford's book is without doubt the best general observing guide to the constellations I have ever used, and I've used a lot of them. His star maps are excellent. He provides concise summaries of all the most interesting objects in each constellation, and he covers both hemispheres. I have been looking for additional copies of this wonderful, out-of-print book for a year.