Star Ware : The Amateur Astronomer's Guide to Choosing, Buying, and Using Telescopes and Accessories

by Harrington, Philip S.

• ISBN13: 9780471750635
• ISBN10: 0471750638
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-04-20
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

Praise for Star Ware "Star Ware is still a tour de force that any experienced amateur will find invaluable, and which hardware-minded beginners will thoroughly enjoy." - Robert Burnham, Sky & Telescope magazine "Star Ware condenses between two covers what would normally take a telescope buyer many months to accumulate." - John Shibley, Astronomy magazine Whether you're shopping for your first telescope or your fifth, don't be surprised if you feel overwhelmed by the dazzling array of product choices, bells and whistles, and the literature that describes them all. That's why you need Star Ware. In this revised and updated Fourth Edition of the essential guide to comparing and selecting sky-watching equipment, award-winning astronomy writer Philip Harrington takes you telescope shopping the easy way. He analyzes and explains today's astronomy market and compares brands and models point by point. Star Ware gives you the confidence you need to buy the telescope and accessories that are right for you and the knowledge to get the most out of your new purchase, with: * Extensive, expanded reviews of leading models and accessories-including dozens of new products * A clear, step-by-step guide to every aspect of selecting telescopes, binoculars, filters, mounts, lenses, cameras, film, star charts, guides and references, and much more * Ten new do-it-yourself projects for building your own astronomical equipment * Easy tips on setting up, using, and caring for telescopes and other astronomical equipment * Lists of where to find everything astronomical, including Web sites and resources; distributors, dealers, and conventions; and corporate listings for products and services

Author Biography

Philip S. Harrington holds degrees in mechanical engineering and science education. As a contributing editor for Astronomy magazine, he writes reviews of astronomical equipment as well as a monthly column on binocular astronomy. He is the author of the three previous editions of Star Ware as well as Star Watch, Touring the Universe through Binoculars, and Eclipse!

Table of Contents

Preface to the Fourth Edition	p. vii
Acknowledgments	p. ix
Parlez-Vous "Telescope"?	p. 1
In the Beginning...	p. 10
So You Want to Buy a Telescope!	p. 23
Two Eyes Are Better Than One	p. 53
Attention Shoppers!	p. 80
The "Eyes" Have It	p. 173
The Right Stuff	p. 210
The Homemade Astronomer	p. 278
Till Death Do You Part	p. 303
A Few Tricks of the Trade	p. 329
Epilogue	p. 349
Specs at a Glance	p. 351
Eyepiece Marketplace	p. 371
The Astronomical Yellow Pages	p. 381
An Astronomer's Survival Guide	p. 399
Astronomical Resources	p. 401
English/Metric Conversion	p. 405
Star Ware Reader Survey	p. 407
Index	p. 411
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