General and Observational Astronomy

• Bone, Neil Aurora: Sun-Earth Interactions Beautifully illustrated book which fills an important gap in many astronomers' bookshelves.

• Bone, Neil Meteors Practical guide, covering naked eye observation, photography and radio detection. Very good.

• Burnham, Robert Burnham's Celestial Handbook : An Observer's Guide to the Universe Beyond the Solar System Volume 1 (Andromeda through Cetus) Volume 2 (Chameleon through Orion) Volume 3 (Pavo through Vulpecula) An absolute treasury of information, including related history and mythology. This book is very obviously a work of love for astronomy.

• Consolmagno, Guy & Davis, Dan Turn Left at Orion The new edition of this excellent book, packed with viewing tips and clear instruction. Also realistic drawings of what you can expect to actually see.

• Crossen, Craig & Tirion,Wil Binocular Astronomy A constellation by constellation guide to interesting objects visible with normal (i.e. up to 10x50) binoculars, which includes Tirion's Bright Star Atlas 2000.0, which shows all naked-eye stars plus a host of DSO's. Tirion has also created seasonal and other finder charts specifically for this book.

• Dickinson, Terence (et.al.) The Backyard Astronomer's Guide The next step up from Nightwatch(below) with details of how best to observe a number of different types of object. Also covers choice of equipment.

• Dickinson, Terence Nightwatch: An Equinox Guide to Viewing the Universe An excellent introduction to backyard astronomy, suitable for about age 12 to adult.

• Gribbin, John Companion to the Cosmos An excellent reference, arranged alphabetically. Thoroughly worth getting.

• Harrington, Philip Eclipse! Details on planning your observation of both solar and lunar eclipses for the next two decades.

• Harrington, Philip Touring the Universe through Binoculars Over 1,100 objects, arranged by constellation, in this excellent book on observation with medium and large binoculars.

• Karttunen, Hannu et.al. Fundamental Astronomy An undergraduate level book with marvellous breadth and depth, and whichis very readable. Not for the novice amateur.

• Kitchin, Chris Photo-Guide to the Constellations: A Self-Teaching Guide to Finding Your Way Around the Heavens The photographs of the sky as it actually looks under a variety of conditions, coupled with a detailed guide to star-hopping and other useful techniques, will enable you to quickly and easily gain a working knowledge of the constellations.

• Kitchen, Chris & Forrest, Robert Seeing Stars: The Night Sky Through Small Telescopes Superior to other guides to the night sky in that its photographs show you what you can actually expect to see with different instruments (naked eye to 12" - 300mm - telescope) from a variety of locations.

• Levy, David H. Observing Variable Stars: A Guide for the Beginner A good introduction to this fascinating branch of astronomy, where the amateur still makes a valuable contribution. Has good charts and seasonal observing suggestions.

• Levy, David H. Skywatching An attractive and comprehensive introduction for the beginner, with charts by the lauded Wil Tirion. Suitable for about age 12 to adult.

• Lynch, David and Livingstone, William Colour and Light in Nature A marvellous book which answers many questions which arise from naked-eye optical phenomena.

• Malin, David & Frew, David Hartung's Astronomical Objects for Southern Telescopes This exquisitely illustrated handbook is a must-have for those able to observe the magnificent sights of the southern skies.

• Malin, David A View of the Universe Fantastic book with stunning astrophotography, as one would expect from David Malin. He explains the difficulties and procedures relating to these images.

• Minnaert, Marcel The Nature of Light and Colour in the Open Air Compulsive examination of the naked-eye optical effects which produce some of the most beautiful sights in the sky. You'll never again look at a humble shadow in the same way!

• Moore, Patrick Atlas of the Universe Some 500 illustrations in this beautiful book, covering observational and historical astronomy. Includes charts and practical guidance for observers. (This is a new edition of an out-of-print book)

• Moore, Patrick Exploring the Night Sky With Binoculars Comprehensive guide, covering choice of instrument and constellation by constellation guide to suitable binocular targets.

• Moore, Patrick (ed) The Observational Amateur Astronomer A multi-contributor book in the Practical Astronomy series, covering solar system and deep sky objects, atmospheric phenomena and artificial satellites. Each contributor is an expert in his field.

• Newton, Jack & Teece, Philip The Guide to Amateur Astronomy This highly regarded book is packed with practical advice and hints from everything from chosing your first telescope to CCD imaging techniques. Of interest to beginners and experienced amateurs.

• Pasachoff, Jay M. & Covington, Michael A. The Cambridge Eclipse Photography Guide: How and Where to Observe and Photograph Solar and Lunar Eclipses The things you need to know to observe and photograph eclipses.

• Pennington, H.C. The Year-Round Messier Marathon Field Guide

  Maps, charts and advice on attaining this observing feat.

• Ridpath, Ian Dictionary of Astronomy A very thorough quick reference, written in the clear, understandable style that we have come to expect from Ridpath. Highly recommended.

• Ridpath, Ian and Tirion, Wil Collins Gem: Stars This little "gem" is often overlooked by serious astronomers, but its small format (8cm x 11.5cm) gives you a star atlas in your shirt pocket! Separate chart for each constellation, down to mag 5. Lots of DSOs, including the Messiers, are marked.

• Rükl, Antonin Atlas of the Moon A must-have for the serious lunar observer.

• Scagell, Robin City Astronomy The UK edition is entitled Astronomy from Towns and Suburbs Yes, it's possible, even with all that light about!

• Schaaf, Fred Wonders of the Sky: Observing Rainbows, Comets, Eclipses, the Stars and Other Phenomena Readable book on naked-eye astronomy -- from shooting stars to parhelia.

• Steel, Duncan Rogue Asteroids and Doomsday Comets: The Search for the Million Megaton Menace That Threatens Life on Earth Latterly topical subject matter whose content is more soberly covered than the title (or cover) suggest.

• Tirion, Wil Sky Atlas 2000.0 26 large (15" x 19") Star Charts, covering both hemispheres down to mag 8. This is an excellent atlas for the intermediate and advanced amateur.

• Tonkin, Stephen AstroFAQs THE quick reference to get you up and running in practical astronomy.

• Upgren, Arthur Night Has a Thousand Eyes Thiis is, quite simply, the best introduction to naked eye astronomy yet written. Upgren weaves a remarkable book that takes the reader to a greater depth of understanding and knowledge than any other book aimed at a similar readership. The style is captivating and the explanations have a simplicity that comes from a mastery of the subject matter. Highly recommended.

• Van Zyl, J.E. Unveiling the Universe This is, perhaps, one of the most complete introductory astronomy books ever published. Very good indeed.

• Verschuur, Gerrit L. The Invisible Universe Revealed: The Story of Radio Astronomy Excellent account of the story of radio astronomy, this well illustrated ans very readable book is an excellent introduction to the ideas, discoveries and techniques in this field. Recommended.

• Wlotzka, F. & Heide, Fritz Meteorites: Messengers from Space Concise and comprehensive work covering all aspects of the origin of meteorites including an insight into extraterrestrial geology.

• Zeilik, Michael & Gregory, Stephen Introductory Astronomy & Astrophysics An extremely good advanced text. The "prelude" addresses the mathematics and physics necessary for the rest of the book. The authors have a knack of making complex concepts easy to understand without trivialising them. Highly recommended!

• Zombeck, Martin B. Handbook of Space Astronomy and Astrophysics A scholarly work of interest to the advanced amateur.