Choosing and Using a Dobsonian Telescope

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiii

   PDF

2. The Dobsonian Telescope

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. John Dobson, The Man and His Legacy

      • Neil English

      Pages 3-12

   3. Know Thy Dob

      • Neil English

      Pages 13-31

   4. The Mini-Dobs

      • Neil English

      Pages 33-57

   5. Getting Serious

      • Neil English

      Pages 59-78

   6. The Planetary Dobs

      • Neil English

      Pages 79-97

   7. The 12- to 16-inch Dobs

      • Neil English

      Pages 99-120

   8. Different Strokes

      • Neil English

      Pages 121-150

   9. Here Be Monsters

      • Neil English

      Pages 151-166

3. Using Your Dobsonian

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 167-167

      PDF

   2. Accessorizing Your Dob

      • Neil English

      Pages 169-189

   3. Adjusting, Maintaining, and Testing Your Dob

      • Neil English

      Pages 191-200

   4. Sketching and Imaging with Your Dob

      • Neil English

      Pages 201-212

   5. Where Next, Columbus?

      • Neil English

      Pages 213-220

4. Back Matter

   Pages 221-232

   PDF

In the 1960's, American amateur astronomer, John Dobson, designed a revolutionary kind of astronomical telescope featuring a lightweight large-aperture reflecting system on a simple mounting, using the then-revolutionary material called teflon. The design combines simplicity and portability with large-aperture prowess. Thirty years later Dobsonians remain supreme for visually observing faint deep-sky objects and are one of the best-selling large telescopes in the USA and Europe. This popularity is reflected in the recent increase of companies now heavily marketing Dobsonians, in particular, Meade (the "Lightbridge" range), Orion USA (XT Intelliscope series), and Skywatcher (Skyliner and Flextube models). This book is the ultimate guide to buying and using commercial Dobsonians, both 'Econo' and 'Primo' models, with in-depth accounts for the various models (plus accessories) on the market and descriptions of the many innovations that amateurs have made to optimize their telescopes' performance.

• Deep sky astronomical equipment
• Deep sky visual astronomy
• Dobsonian telescopes
• John Dobson
• Meade reflector telescopes

From the reviews:

“If you are considering purchasing a Dobsonian telescope … this book would be a very wise investment. ‘Choosing and Using a Dobsonian Telescope’ is split into 2 sections, Part One deals with choosing which Dob is most likely to satisfy your requirements, Part 2 progresses to using your Dob once you have taken ownership. … this book is an absolute must. … If, like me, you are not currently considering joining Dobson’s revolution … then this book is still a really enjoyable, interesting read.” (Paul Rumsby, Best Astronomy Books, October, 2011)

“This book opens with a brief history of the inventor of this simple telescope design … followed by a study of the main elements of the scope. Like the rest of the book, this section is well-illustrated and the text is easy to follow. The main chapters feature thorough reviews of popular commercial examples, and the contributors combine quantitative date with qualitative experiences, which are invaluable. … It is informative and successfully conveys the passion many astronomers feel for these impressive, yet affordable instruments.” (Mark Parrish, Sky at Night Magazine, February, 2012)

“This is a welcome addition … and is equally useful to the first-time buyer of a Dobsonian telescope and the existing owner of an older instrument. … the problems and challenges faced by photographers together with their solutions are a very useful guide to the subject. … Whether you are looking for simplicity or wish to embrace modern technology this book gives you all the information you need to make the right choice and to get the most out of your observations.” (Valerie Stoneham, The Observatory, Vol. 132 (1227), April, 2012)

• Glasgow, United Kingdom

  Neil English

Experienced observer and writer on astronomy, Neil English has enjoyed looking through and writing about Dobsonian telescopes of all vintages. A Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, Neil has been a regular contributor to Britain’s Astronomy Now for over 15 years. His work has also appeared in Astronomy magazine and New Scientist. He holds a PhD. in biochemistry and a BSc in physics and astronomy. English is the also the author of the sister Springer title, Choosing and Using a Refracting Telescope. He observes from the dark skies of rural, central Scotland, where he lives with his wife and two young sons.

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