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Philip's Astronomy
Stargazing With Binoculars
Reviews for the previous Among the many good books on binocular astronomy, Stargazing with Binoculars stands out as one of the best. [Scagell and Frydman] pack an amazing amount of information into a volume that's clearly written, entertaining, attractive, and portable.
--Sky and Telescope A serious contender for the title of best all-around introduction to binocular astronomy.
--Sky and Telescope Stargazing with Binoculars is the ideal guide for newcomers to astronomy. The authors review the range of the latest binoculars on the market and provide advice on features to consider before making a purchase. Then they lead the beginner through the first steps of using binoculars to observe the night sky, describing what will be visible and how to find specific objects. This edition has been thoroughly updated to incorporate the latest binocular technology. Illustrated throughout and packed with handy tips and tricks, the book Binoculars are portable and financially accessible, whereas a telescope can be costly and unwieldy. Even binoculars without bells and whistles will give the viewer an exciting look into the night sky. This introduction is the ideal guide in that pursuit.
--Sky and Telescope A serious contender for the title of best all-around introduction to binocular astronomy.
--Sky and Telescope Stargazing with Binoculars is the ideal guide for newcomers to astronomy. The authors review the range of the latest binoculars on the market and provide advice on features to consider before making a purchase. Then they lead the beginner through the first steps of using binoculars to observe the night sky, describing what will be visible and how to find specific objects. This edition has been thoroughly updated to incorporate the latest binocular technology. Illustrated throughout and packed with handy tips and tricks, the book Binoculars are portable and financially accessible, whereas a telescope can be costly and unwieldy. Even binoculars without bells and whistles will give the viewer an exciting look into the night sky. This introduction is the ideal guide in that pursuit.
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 6, 2010
Basic guide for amateur stargazers using binoculars. Includes basic map of constellations and useful tips about how to select the best binoculars for specific needs. Ideal for all my needs.
January 10, 2009
The monthly star charts are very helpful. This books is a very basic giude. Perfect for beginners.
Currently Reading
February 19, 2013page 50
June 15, 2021
Every astronomer should have a decent pair of binoculars, and Chapter 5 of this book should be required reading before you purchase your first pair. Many astronomy books aimed at newcomers to the hobby address using binoculars, but binocular-specific books will have the best coverage of the options available and what you should take into consideration. Other than the two chapters specific to the selection and use of binoculars, the contents of this book are pretty typical. If you don’t have a telescope you should definitely pick up this awesome little book because the coverage is perfect. However, if you have both a binocular and a telescope, you’ll probably be better served by a less focused book.
April 27, 2022
I like it but it was wasn’t about deepspace
February 7, 2020
As typical for guides like this, I've been reading this off and on in pieces depending on my interest, time, and need. Given spring clouds and COVID-19 quarantines, I've had more time to read about astronomy than actually doing it.
I found this to be one of the better guides I've picked up from the library, and probably the best of the Firefly guides I've seen so far. Basically, that's because it's brief and focused on practical matters: what to look for, and how to choose binoculars.
I had already owned a pair of binoculars before I got this, but I think that section will be useful for many newcomers. At first glance, the idea of astronomy with binoculars (vs a telescope) may seem limited. However, most guides and tips for beginners actually suggest starting with binoculars before getting a telescope; in fact, depending on your level of interest and commitment, you may not ever need a telescope. You can also use binoculars for other activities (sporting events or wildlife observation, for example), and this book will help you weigh the pros and cons of different types depending on your needs.
But the book isn't just about how to buy binoculars. Indeed, once you've bought your binoculars, what good would a book like this be? Fortunately, as a guide, it offers more than that.
The centerpiece, in terms of enduring content for stargazers, are the monthly guides to the night sky. The maps and inset pictures of stars and constellations were easy to read. I started with Orion in January, for example. Scagell picks out a few other objects in each month, mainly those observable with binoculars. This is a shorter and more focused (and therefore maybe more easier-to-follow) walk-through than Scagell provides in his larger, longer Complete Guide to Stargazing.
Beyond that, the book contains obligatory, science-y sections on the solar system and a glossary. Wherever I turn, I find some tip or section I overlooked the first time. For example, Scagell provides some suggestions on things like sketching and binocular mounts, which I personally found helpful.
At the same time, I continue to be mystified by the apparent absence of anything related to integrating smartphones into this hobby. I've found some useful star charts apps, and given that most people will bring smartphones and other mobile devices into the hobby (and not optics), it seems like a good bridge to connect people to astronomy.
No doubt Scagell will one day write a book on astronomy from that angle. Until then, this book provides a useful introduction for a beginner looking to make a low-cost investment in astronomy, and to learn how to start observing.
I found this to be one of the better guides I've picked up from the library, and probably the best of the Firefly guides I've seen so far. Basically, that's because it's brief and focused on practical matters: what to look for, and how to choose binoculars.
I had already owned a pair of binoculars before I got this, but I think that section will be useful for many newcomers. At first glance, the idea of astronomy with binoculars (vs a telescope) may seem limited. However, most guides and tips for beginners actually suggest starting with binoculars before getting a telescope; in fact, depending on your level of interest and commitment, you may not ever need a telescope. You can also use binoculars for other activities (sporting events or wildlife observation, for example), and this book will help you weigh the pros and cons of different types depending on your needs.
But the book isn't just about how to buy binoculars. Indeed, once you've bought your binoculars, what good would a book like this be? Fortunately, as a guide, it offers more than that.
The centerpiece, in terms of enduring content for stargazers, are the monthly guides to the night sky. The maps and inset pictures of stars and constellations were easy to read. I started with Orion in January, for example. Scagell picks out a few other objects in each month, mainly those observable with binoculars. This is a shorter and more focused (and therefore maybe more easier-to-follow) walk-through than Scagell provides in his larger, longer Complete Guide to Stargazing.
Beyond that, the book contains obligatory, science-y sections on the solar system and a glossary. Wherever I turn, I find some tip or section I overlooked the first time. For example, Scagell provides some suggestions on things like sketching and binocular mounts, which I personally found helpful.
At the same time, I continue to be mystified by the apparent absence of anything related to integrating smartphones into this hobby. I've found some useful star charts apps, and given that most people will bring smartphones and other mobile devices into the hobby (and not optics), it seems like a good bridge to connect people to astronomy.
No doubt Scagell will one day write a book on astronomy from that angle. Until then, this book provides a useful introduction for a beginner looking to make a low-cost investment in astronomy, and to learn how to start observing.
May 20, 2015
(Technically I read the Firefly 2014 edition)
I found this more accessible, useful and enjoyable than the Urban Stargazing book. This one was also questionably structured and certainly more useful as a reference manual than any kind of teaching text to work straight through.
Still, sections on specific times of year and what the binocular showpieces are in the sky at that time, and the explanation of binoculars functions, components etc. were quite good.
Also, they slipped in a clever Star Trek joke or two, which lightened the reading experience. Nice.
I found this more accessible, useful and enjoyable than the Urban Stargazing book. This one was also questionably structured and certainly more useful as a reference manual than any kind of teaching text to work straight through.
Still, sections on specific times of year and what the binocular showpieces are in the sky at that time, and the explanation of binoculars functions, components etc. were quite good.
Also, they slipped in a clever Star Trek joke or two, which lightened the reading experience. Nice.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews