The Observer's Book Of Astronomy

The Observer's Pocket Series #32

by Patrick Moore

222 pages

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

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name.

Sir Alfred Patrick Caldwell-Moore, CBE, Hon FRS, FRAS, known as Patrick Moore, was an English amateur astronomer, who is the most well known English promoter of astronomy. Moore wrote numerous books on the subject, as well as make public, television and radio appearances, over the course of his long life. He is credited as having done more than any other to raise the profile of astronomy among the British general public.

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 The fist is as a historical document - it is wonderfully out of date, questioning when if if man might reach the moon, for example.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!

[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.