Stargazing Under Suburban Skies

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiv

   PDF

2. Seeking Out the Dark

   • Malcolm Zack, Andrew Gannon, John McRoberts

   Pages 1-7

3. Observing in Suburban Skies

   • Malcolm Zack, Andrew Gannon, John McRoberts

   Pages 9-23

4. Equipment for Suburban Skies

   • Malcolm Zack, Andrew Gannon, John McRoberts

   Pages 25-50

5. Observing the Deep Sky

   • Malcolm Zack, Andrew Gannon, John McRoberts

   Pages 51-257

6. Observing the Moon

   • Malcolm Zack, Andrew Gannon, John McRoberts

   Pages 259-321

7. Observing the Planets

   • Malcolm Zack, Andrew Gannon, John McRoberts

   Pages 323-339

8. Software and Apps to Help the Suburban Astronomer

   • Malcolm Zack, Andrew Gannon, John McRoberts

   Pages 341-350

9. Other Astronomical Phenomena

   • Malcolm Zack, Andrew Gannon, John McRoberts

   Pages 351-364

10. Back Matter

    Pages 365-401

    PDF

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.

• Star Hopping
• Visual Observing
• Suburban Locations
• Light Pollution
• Binoculars
• Small Telescopes
• Amateur Astronomy
• Suburban Skies
• Lunar Objects
• Planetary Positions

“The book has several illustrations, including many in color. Readers will discover that computing plays a major role in modern astronomy. It is a very valuable read for both novice and expert astronomers.” (S. V. Nagaraj, Computing Reviews, October 29, 2019)

“Amateur astronomers living near London compiled a list of 100 astronomical objects that can be observed in their lessthan- ideal sky conditions with modest equipment (binoculars and small telescopes). … Handy appendixes and software recommendations and excellent images enhance the value for the general reader. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers.” (M.-K. Hemenway, Choice, Vol. 56 (7), March, 2019)

• Chigwell, United Kingdom

  Malcolm Zack

• Waltham Abbey, United Kingdom

  Andrew Gannon

• Great Dunmow, United Kingdom

  John McRoberts

Malcolm Zack is an active member of Loughton Astronomical Society, based near London in England. He is mainly a visual observer and leads the society’s quarterly sky presentations with fellow members. He has also spoken at the Society’s Autumn Equinox Sky Camp which takes place annually in North Norfolk, England, one of the largest and most popular star parties in Europe. He is the society’s “binocular man” – having encouraged many members to undertake binocular astronomy alongside the established telescopic practice. Away from the night sky, Zack is an experienced risk and audit professional, having held senior positions across several industries in private, listed and public sector organizations. He now operates his own consulting practice.


Andrew Gannon became hooked on astronomy when he first peered at the Moon through his father’s home-made refractor around the age of five in 1959. He became fascinated with the Moon around the time of the Apollo program, observing with his 60mm (2.5 inch) refractor and built his own 150mm (6 inch) reflector as a teenager. He has been a continuous member of the British Astronomical Association since 1972 where he took an active part in the Lunar Section in the mid 1970s under the directorship of the late Patrick Moore. Andrew is one of Loughton Astronomical Society’s leading imagers, having won its imaging prize several years in a row. He observes from the relatively light polluted area of Waltham Abbey, near London’s orbital motorway the M25, using his trusty 132mm (5 inch) refractor yet still produces results that can compete with those taken in darker skies. A qualified teacher, Gannon taught Technology and Astronomy. Now retired, he remains a voluntary STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) ambassador and regularly gives illustrated talks to schools on astronomy. His other interests are natural history, walking and modelling the railways of the Isle of Wight during the last years of steam.


John McRoberts is an active member of Loughton Astronomical Society and a keen visual observer based in the relatively clearer skies of Dunmow in central Essex, England. McRoberts' knowledge has contributed to a number of the less well-known objects in the book and in particular to some of the attractive and challenging double stars available for amateurs to test their optics and seeing conditions. McRoberts is now retired but worked in the telecommunications industry initially as a production engineer, then as a computer systems administrator and finally, a systems integration test engineer.

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