Astronomy with a Budget Telescope

Astronomy with a Budget Telescope, 2nd Edition is a complete introduction to buying and using a low-cost amateur astronomical telescope. It provides essential hints and tips about what to look for when buying on a budget - the best are now excellent value, but they all lack an astronomer's advice about setting them up and using them.

Astronomy with a Budget Telescope was first published in 2003, since then technology has moved on substantially. The main factors are first the availability of fairly inexpensive computer-controlled "go-to" telescopes which after setting up can automatically locate any celestial objects with reasonable accuracy. Second, digital cameras have now almost completely displaced "wet" film cameras, and some of them are particularly well-suited to astronomical use. Third, prices are down and quality is up!

This new edition is revised and extended to include using a low-cost "go-to" telescope - there are various pitfalls to be avoided - and how this class of instrument can make amateur astronomy more accessible to those with limited time at their disposal. It also discusses the new breed of mid-range digital cameras that include powerful on-board processing and image enhancement software that used to be available only to people with advanced astronomical CCD cameras.

Finally, there are detailed reviews and test reports on some of the budget telescopes that are available on Main Street and by mail order.

Sir Patrick Moore, CBE, FRS is one of the world's leading popularizers of astronomy and space. He has presented his BBC TV program, The Sky at Night continuously since 1957, which has been broadcast every four weeks since, making it the world's longest running television program of any kind. Patrick has written more than 100 astronomy book. In recognition of Patrick's contribution to the popularization of science over the past 50 years, he was knighted in November 2000. He has also been made a Fellow of the Royal Society, an honor he values particularly highly. As the presenter of the record-breaking The Sky at Night, Patrick was awarded a BAFTA in 2000.

John Watson, FRAS, has been an active amateur astronomer for forty years. He retired in 2004 from Springer London, where he had been Managing Director for fifteen years, prior to which he was Editorial Director at McGraw-Hill, and before that, Senior Publisher at Macmillan. During his time at Springer he was responsible for the creation and development of Springer's amateur astronomy publishing program, the first book have been published in 1995. The author of several textbooks on electronics and electrical engineering - and one on car maintenance - he has recently contributed to various astronomy books, including those by Philip Pugh and Michael Munder, both published by Springer.

How to Buy a Budget Telescope.- How to Use a Budget Telescope.- Observing the Solar System.- Observing the Stars and Galaxies.- Photography and Imaging.- Image Processing Software.- Trying Out Two Typical Budget Telescopes.- The Next Steps.