Why use the traditional approach to study the stars when you can turn computers, handheld devices, and telescopes into out-of-this-world stargazing tools? Whether you're a first timer or an advanced hobbyist, you'll find Astronomy Hacks both useful and fun. From upgrading your optical finder to photographing stars, this book is the perfect cosmic companion. This handy field guide covers the basics of observing, and what you need to know about tweaking, tuning, adjusting, and tricking out a 'scope. Expect priceless tips and tools for using a Dobsonian Telescope, the large-aperture telescope you can inexpensively build in your garage. Get advice on protocols involved with using electronics including in dark places without ruining the party. Astronomy Hacks begins the space exploration by getting you set up with the right equipment for observing and admiring the stars in an urban setting. Along for the trip are first rate tips for making most of observations. The hacks show you how to:

• Dark-Adapt Your Notebook Computer

• Choose the Best Binocular

• Clean Your Eyepieces and Lenses Safely

• Upgrade Your Optical Finder

• Photograph the Stars with Basic Equipment

The O'Reilly Hacks series has reclaimed the term "hacking" to mean innovating, unearthing, and creating shortcuts, gizmos, and gears. With these hacks, you don't dream it-you do it--and Astronomy Hacks brings space dreams to life. The book is essential for anyone who wants to get the most out of an evening under the stars and have memorable celestial adventures.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 59 Ratings

Astronomy Hacks to the Rescue! - 2009-03-27
Reviewer Rating:
In this hectic world of rushing around, some of us are lucky enough to get outside and enjoy the night sky from time to time. This book will help you get the most out of your time practicing amateur astronomy. It's a collection of advice, short essays, tips and tricks that will help you get up to speed without many of the frustrations typically encountered when learning this hobby.

The authors jump right in with invaluable tips that every amateur astronomer should know. The first chapter is loaded with goodies that will help you get geared up and understand basic safety, observing site etiquette, preparation, and offers advice on choosing the right equipment.

From there, you are taken into the field with a heap of great observing hacks. Starting with the basics like how to keep your night vision, you'll learn how to describe the brightness of an object, identify stars by name and understanding the various celestial coordinate systems. Fundamentals like learning to locate objects geometrically, star hopping, and learning to see both deep & shallow space objects are also covered here.

Urban observing skills, organized logging, and how to prepare for and run a Messier Marathon are included as well. The book closes with chapters covering scope and accessory hacks like collimation, tricking out your Dobsonian, aligning and upgrading your finder scope, and help on choosing planetarium software for your computer.

The hacks vary in length from quick single-pagers up to some very thorough ten-plus page hacks. The book contains many black & white photographs that compliment the text. When you decide it's time to clean your primary mirror for example, several photos of the multi-step process help guide you through. Icons accompany each hack, indicating the relative complexity of the hack, from beginner to expert. Each hack is numbered (from 1 to 65) and cross references are shown where related hacks are mentioned.

Other reviews of this book mention the authors' bias towards Dobsonian scopes. The authors don't have blinders on; they thoroughly describe many types of telescopes (and binoculars) and the advantages and disadvantages of each type. They have spent a huge amount of time in the field and they are simply reporting their observations when they say "If you attend a large star party, you'll probably see more Dobs than all other types of scopes combined." The reason so many people buy them is simple: Dobs offer arguably the best bang for the buck. If you're a beginner, you'll do well to learn the basics of star hopping and celestial navigation without relying on the crutch of a go-to scope. Have the batteries in your GPS ever died when you were in an unfamiliar area? Good thing you know how to read a map. ;)

Astronomy Hacks is the second book I've read by the dynamic duo of Robert & Barbara Thompson. Their book Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders was an excellent read and continues to be a great resource. I highly recommend both of these books.

Boring and nearly useless - 2009-08-19
Reviewer Rating:
I don't know which is sadder, that this miserable and embarrassing book exists - or is it a marketing brochure for the eyepiece industry? - or the overwhelmingly positive reviews of equally dubious merit that is has received. If you know nothing about astronomy and telescopes, do NOT read this book and put down this review - get thee to Sidgwick, Muirden, Menzel and the like from earlier days. In the past, astronomy had a dignity that placed it beyond "hacking" and consisted of a solid body of knowledge that was passed on from one generation to the next. Today, the books likely to be found are either exercises in hyperbole and logorrhea over pure speculations, rather than solid presentations of established facts which demand some effort on the part of the reader beyond a gaping mouth - or else marketing pamphlets for the cheap Dobsonian and ultra expensive eyepiece market. These modern books (and the one under consideration is one of the worst) impart neither knowledge nor ability, and tend to be inadvertent confessionals of the author's ignorance and worse, his lack of even understanding the intellectual ethos in which astronomy once was, and properly should be, surrounded. He knows neither the facts nor the rules, and acts an embarrassing oaf among good company.

I will not even begin to list the countless whoppers in this horrible work, starting with its smart-aleck title. It may as well have been gracelessly copied directly from the author's note pads, which might have been filled with "star party" and online folk wisdom, something that exists solely to justify the endless chase after equipment at the expense of developing observing skill. I would be frankly embarrassed to be associated with it in any way.

-antimatter33

Stellar (pun intended) - 2009-05-01
Reviewer Rating:
I ordered this book encouraged by enthusiastic user reviews, and it actually surpassed my wildest expectations. The book will guide, teach and even entertain you. One doesn't expect a sense of humor in a collection of highly specialized technical advice - yet there it is! I've had my first telescope (an 8" Dobsonian) for less than a month, yet thanks to this book I'm already achieving wonderful things with it.

The authors state that one of their goals in writing this book was wanting to "pay forward". In other words, they can't pay back the many experienced astronomers who helped them learn the ropes, so now they're helping others to learn and enjoy the hobby. This reminded me of something that happened to me when I was a student. I hitched a ride, and the guy who pulled over told me: "But you must return this favor". When he saw the puzzled expression on my face, he continued: "Not to me, just give someone else a ride, when you have a car". And that's what I've done. Many times. And I truly appreciate gifts such as delivered by Robert and Barbara, the authors of this book.

Useful Book - 2008-05-14
Reviewer Rating:
This book has lots of good ideas in it.

Well worth the money.

The second book you need for your telescope, after a good observing guide - 2008-04-08
Reviewer Rating:
I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered this book. I was amazed at how well thought out the "hacks" were and the authors take the time to explain the why of the "hack" with plenty of detail. Their handling of the different topics are from the perspective of what they found works well, but they take the time to address alternate viewpoints and the relative merits of each (an example is their handling of the red-dot sight vs Telrad vs Rigel Qwikfinder debate, some very useful information there!).

This is a definite "must have" book for any telescope owner (they handle dobs extremely well in this book), and is the second book you need to buy after choosing a good observing guide.

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