Exploring the Solar System with Binoculars: A Beginner's Guide to the Sun, Moon, and Planets
"The six chapters straightforwardly cover the Sun, Moon, Eclipses, planets, comets, and meteors. I was particularly impressed with the chapter on the Moon, which gives photographs at a scale really to look like the binocular Moon, at various stages of illumination, with a key to the formations. The author actually goes into a great deal of detail on his subjects, including both interesting historical sidelights and the very latest information (which is always assiduously attributed - a rarity in a book of this kind). I found very few errors indeed.  ... I would recommend this book to all beginning observers. Don't consider the low page count: this is a large-format book that is excellent value." - Astronomy Now"While the descriptions and facts should ably answer the many questions of the beginner, the book's anecdotal passages make this publication shine. The author shares his passion through selections describing his emotions such as 'I saw the spirit of the fireball dancing on its grave' when describing an aerial explosion. The mood is continually heightened such a Tolstoy character who in 'rapture and his eyes wet with tears, contemplated the radiant stare' for the comet of 1812 or Agesinax's 'all round about environed with fire she is illumined' to describe the Moon. These historical connections and the many references to ongoing research tells the reader that they share the wonder of the grandeur and complexity of Earth's immediate neighbourhood.A passion to explore the night sky burns in the hearts of many. Not knowing where to start or how to share this longing is no impediment. With bare eye or inexpensive binoculars, Stephen James O'Meara's book 'Exploring the Solar System with Binoculars' will guide you to satisfy your feelings." - Universe Today"The naked-eye or binocular observer could hardly hope for a better guide to exploring the Solar System than Stephen J. O'Meara. A skilled visual observer of vast experience and international repute, he is also an engaging and imaginative writer capable of firing the enthusiasm of observers at all levels of ability....thoroughly recommended to those wishing to maximize the potential of naked-eye and binocular observation" -