Choosing and Using a Dobsonian Telescope

Preface.- Part I: The Dobsonian Telescope.- Chapter 1: John Dobson, The Man and His Legacy.- Chapter 2: Know Thy Dob!.- Chapter 3: The Mini-Dobs.- Chapter 4: Getting Serious.- Chapter 5: The Planetary Dobs.- Chapter 6: The 12-inch to 16-inch Dobs.- Chapter 7: Different Strokes.- Chapter 8: Here Be Monsters!.- Part II: Using Your Dobsonian.- Chapter 9: Accessorizing Your Dob.- Chapter 10: Adjusting, Maintaining, and Testing Your Dob.- Chapter 11: Sketching and Imaging with Your Dob.- Chapter 12: Where Next, Columbus?.- Appendix A: References.- Appendix B: Useful Formula.- Appendix C: Glossary.- Index.

Dr. Neil English has a BSc in Physics and Astronomy and a PhD in Biochemistry. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a regular contributor to Astronomy Now (the UK's major astronomy magazine), as well as to Ireland's Astronomy and Space Magazine. He is the author of the book Guide to Mars (Pole Star Publications, 2003). Neil's astronomical images have been published in various magazines and journals, including a full page in the June 2006 issue of Astronomy. Neil has made, and continues to make, contributions to the publication Cloudy Nights in the form of detailed telescope reviews. His latest Springer title is due out October 2010 and is titled "Choosing and Using a Refracting Telescope." Neil owns a large 12-inch truss tube Dobsonian. He lives with his wife and two sons in central Scotland.

From the reviews:

"If you are considering purchasing a Dobsonian telescope ... this book would be a very wise investment. 'Choosing and Using a Dobsonian Telescope' is split into 2 sections, Part One deals with choosing which Dob is most likely to satisfy your requirements, Part 2 progresses to using your Dob once you have taken ownership. ... this book is an absolute must. ... If, like me, you are not currently considering joining Dobson's revolution ... then this book is still a really enjoyable, interesting read." (Paul Rumsby, Best Astronomy Books, October, 2011)

"This book opens with a brief history of the inventor of this simple telescope design ... followed by a study of the main elements of the scope. Like the rest of the book, this section is well-illustrated and the text is easy to follow. The main chapters feature thorough reviews of popular commercial examples, and the contributors combine quantitative date with qualitative experiences, which are invaluable. ... It is informative and successfully conveys the passion many astronomers feel for these impressive, yet affordable instruments." (Mark Parrish, Sky at Night Magazine, February, 2012)

"This is a welcome addition ... and is equally useful to the first-time buyer of a Dobsonian telescope and the existing owner of an older instrument. ... the problems and challenges faced by photographers together with their solutions are a very useful guide to the subject. ... Whether you are looking for simplicity or wish to embrace modern technology this book gives you all the information you need to make the right choice and to get the most out of your observations." (Valerie Stoneham, The Observatory, Vol. 132 (1227), April, 2012)

From the reviews:

"If you are considering purchasing a Dobsonian telescope ... this book would be a very wise investment. 'Choosing and Using a Dobsonian Telescope' is split into 2 sections, Part One deals with choosing which Dob is most likely to satisfy your requirements, Part 2 progresses to using your Dob once you have taken ownership. ... this book is an absolute must. ... If, like me, you are not currently considering joining Dobson's revolution ... then this book is still a really enjoyable, interesting read." (Paul Rumsby, Best Astronomy Books, October, 2011)

"This book opens with a brief history of the inventor of this simple telescope design ... followed by a study of the main elements of the scope. Like the rest of the book, this section is well-illustrated and the text is easy to follow. The main chapters feature thorough reviews of popular commercial examples, and the contributors combine quantitative date with qualitative experiences, which are invaluable. ... It is informative and successfully conveys the passion many astronomers feel for these impressive, yet affordable instruments." (Mark Parrish, Sky at Night Magazine, February, 2012)

"This is a welcome addition ... and is equally useful to the first-time buyer of a Dobsonian telescope and the existing owner of an older instrument. ... the problems and challenges faced by photographers together with their solutions are a very useful guide to the subject. ... Whether you are looking for simplicity or wish to embrace modern technology this book gives you all the information you need to make the right choice and to get the most out of your observations." (Valerie Stoneham, The Observatory, Vol. 132 (1227), April, 2012)