Intro; Dedication; Foreword; Acknowledgments; About the Authors; Contents; Chapter 1: Seeking Out the Dark; From Messier to the Modern Day; A Companion for Observers Based in Suburban Skies; Bronze, Silver and Gold Designations; Tools, Techniques and Other Astronomical Phenomena; A Society Project; Chapter 2: Observing in Suburban Skies; Making the Most of Your Location; Observing from a Flat or Apartment; Garden Astronomy; Backyard Observatories; Observing in Town and With Others; Holidays and Hotels; Making the Most of the Sky; Starter Objects; Which Equipment Helps?
Constellations and AsterismsOpen Star Clusters; Globular Clusters; Double and Multiple Stars; Variable Stars; Nebulae; Galaxies.
Dew Heaters and Dew BandsThe Red Flashlight; Cameras and Imaging; Notebooks and Sketching; Observing Chairs; Filters; Deep Sky Filters; Moon and Planetary Filters; Filter Wheels; Atmospheric Dispersion Corrector (ADC); Barlow Lenses and Powermates for Imaging; Using Laptops and Phone-Driven Equipment; Final Word: Keeping It Simple; Chapter 4: Observing the Deep Sky; How to Use the Guide and Charts; Orientation; Location Data; Views in Different Types of Instruments; Star Names and Designations; Constellation-Naming Conventions; The Star-Hopper's Guide Objects; Stars.
Star-Hopping: Triangles, Squares and DiamondsUnderstanding Field of View and Degrees; Imaging; Some Helpful Suggestions; Making the Most of You; Keeping Your Eyes in Observing Shape; Give Your Eyes a Chance to Dark Adapt; Keep Comfortable and Warm; Take Plenty of Breaks; Practice, Practice, Practice!; Chapter 3: Equipment for Suburban Skies; What's Best?; The Naked Eye; Binoculars; Refracting Telescopes; Reflecting Telescopes; Newtonians; Other Catadioptrics; Telescope Mounting Systems; Eyepieces; Equipment Maintenance; Star Diagonals; The Finder Scope Alternative -- Red Dot Finders (RDF).
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Anyone interested in astronomy battles with the conveniences of modern living - street lights, advertising and security lighting, tall buildings, and even the occasional tree. More than 85% of the population now lives in crowded and light-polluted towns and cities. This book is for those who live in or near towns and cities and own relatively modest equipment, although observers with larger instruments will still find many of the target objects of interest. The book encourages the use of star-hopping techniques to find objects in the night sky. Included is a list of 100 popular deep sky objects, ranked according to how difficult they are to find. Each object is described and has companion star-hopping charts, images and sometimes sketches. As a result, readers can gain a sense of their own backyard view from Earth. There is also a top 30 list of lunar objects, a section on planetary observing, annotated lists of popular astronomy apps and software, and tips on how to make the most of your location. Stargazing Under Suburban Skies: A Star-Hopper's Guide is the essential companion to what can be seen and how, regardless of the obstacles.