HANDBOOK OF BINOCULAR ASTRONOMY 
HANDBOOK OF BINOCULAR ASTRONOMY 
Welcome to HBA online. The fact is, at the moment, the online version is the only one available, since the original typescript is being revised and brought up to date (it was drafted in 1994) before I try to find another mug (er... publisher) for the hard version. Speaking of updates, the most recent revision of this site (Feb 2005) features a javascript animation showing the effect of light pollution on the sky. Give it a look!
This website contains chapter 3 of the original, and is a complete and exhaustive guide to every constellation in the sky, including some objects discovered by me (as binocular-suitable views, of course, not as actual objects) during the course of the original research. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced observer, there will be something here for you; whether you use Granny's old Opera Glasses or state-of-the-art expensive binoculars (or even a telescope) you are sure to find many objects of fascination within these pages.
If you have not been here before, please take some time to read the user information and also feel free to contact me by e-mail. Suggestions, criticism (positive or otherwise) is always useful!
Note: The main part of this site uses the "Symbol" inside <font face> tags to render Greek letters, and this tag may not be supported by older versions of Netscape, though IE after about version 3 does. Therefore, if you can see the Greek letter zeta ( z ) inside these parentheses, you are OK. If not, you can download a little conversion table from here.
There are many stockists of binoculars for astronomy (you can buy them from catalogues or camera stores, but an astronomical specialist will more likely allow you to sky-test them, plus there are other advantages). A firm that excels here is Broadhurst, Clarkson and Fuller of Telescope House in London. They are not just "in it for the money" but are genuine astronomers who will want you to get the most from your pastime / life / hobby / obsession (delete as applicable), so I have no hesitation in recommending them here. Likewise Beacon Hill Telescopes. What this man doesn't know about astronomical equipment ain't worth knowing.
There are not many specialist magazines for astronomers, but one of the best I have found is Astronomy Now - and they often have items of interest to the binocular/small telescope owner.
If you get really into the subject, you may want to try and make a contribution to astronomical knowledge. Yes! Even an amateur astronomer with only a pair of 10x50's can make their mark. There is no better field for the amateur today than the observation of variable stars. I just do it because I like it and find it interesting, but I feel that I have made some contributions to science - oh yes, and as an aside, it enabled me to spend a week in Hawaii! If this intrigues you, try linking to bodies such as the AAVSO (American Association of Variable Star Observers) or the BAA (British Astronomical Association). Both of these world-famous bodies are open to people everywhere, regardless of where you live.
Bit of space
