The Observer's Book Of Astronomy

The Observer's Pocket Series #32

by Sir Patrick Moore

222 pages

Genres: Astronomy, Science, Nonfiction, Reference, Space, Textbooks, Nature

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1962

Reviews

[Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good star maps in here. Pluto is still referred to as a planet, and there are assumptions of moon bases and manned missions to Mars within a couple of decades.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book which was already in the house as I fancied I should try a bit harder to look up at the night sky and better identify the stars. It is also by Patrick Moore who hosted The Sky at Night for a long time and was generally a very memorable person.

It is designed for beginners and does a good job in relatively quickly running through the constellations and other things you can see in the night sky. In that sense it did the job and hopefully I will be able to use some of it to better observe and identify stars, planets etc. in the night sky. On the other hand the version I have is very dated (lots of references to the war and old money), the pictures are extremely basic, and there is a lot of stuff about making your own microscope out of bits and pieces lying around as ones you can buy are either no good or too expensive - which I hope is no longer the case.

Anyway, I like Patrick Moore and this did the basic job I wanted so I can't complain, but I imagine there is something much more up to date that might better suit anyone else looking to quickly get to grips with the initial elements of astronomy.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are two reasons to read this book other than a desire to learn astronomy. The fist is as a historical document - it is wonderfully out of date, questioning when if if man might reach the moon, for example.

The second is that was written by Patrick Moore. Britons of a certain age will remember his excitable, mad scientist persona well from "The Sky at Night". You can't read this without hearing his voice!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This handy little book gives a good grounding of the basics; it's easy to read and easy to understand. I especially enjoyed the constellation section and reading about the legends which inspired their names.

[Neo M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for beginner's

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that sparked my own interest in astronomy. Written by the legendary British astronomer Patrick Moore, and aimed at total beginners and younger readers. Moore's restrained enthusiasm is from a bygone age, but I'm sure he retains the ability to delight today's budding stargazers.

[Luke Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite dated now in many respects, but a useful little guide to the constellations and planets.