Just like you cannot learn to play music by reading, you cannot learn sky watching without really watching it one day. You can learn music theories by reading but you will never become a great artists without playing in front of audience. The same applies with astronomy. You need to go out one day, take your binoculars or telescope and start finding the objects, such as M42 or Sirius. Then you really start learning.

So it is not good to focus only in reading. You need to do something in practice as well. Anyhow, reading is still needed. You need to understand some basics of astronomy and technical information, and all that you can find from books. The conclusion is that reading should not be all in your astronomy hobby, but it is necessary. So what should you read then? I have gathered here a list of three great books on beginner’s astronomy. If you are new to astronomy and you are looking for good astronomy books, this article is for you!

Beginner’s stronomy book #1: NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe (Spiral-bound)

Many people have said this is the best handbook for beginning astronomers. The author covers all the issues a beginning astronomer usually face. He talks about the weather, binoculars, telescopes and even how to pronounce star names. It provides you valuable information of usage of binoculars and objectsto watch with binoculars. This book provides also star charts and teaches how to use them in observations. The book provides even good information about purchasing telescopes. This is a very handy and useful book which you can carry with you to observation places. This is a great handbook for experienced astronomers as well, even though it is very basic.

Beginner’s stronomy book #2: The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide (Hardcover)

While the previous book provided great information on astronomy basics, such as the solar system, galaxies, observing with binoculars, this book is about the equipment. This book provides valuable information of astronomy equipment prices, consumer-type information, telescopes, cameras. lenses, filters and all that a beginner astronomer needs to know. This is a great book for those who want to start directly with equipment, such as binoculars, telescopes and cameras. Even though this is an equipment book, there are also chapters of observing the solar system and deep space.

Beginner’s stronomy book #3:A Walk through the Heavens: A Guide to Stars and Constellations and their Legends (Paperback)

My third recommendation is a book for understanding constellations. A Walk Through the Heavens is an easy-to-use guide to constellations in northern hemisphere. Starting from the background information, such as why the constellations have names of animals and ancient myths, the book provides very useful information for locating and observing the constellations. The author does not require you to have any equipment. You can start finding and observing the constellations with your plain eyes. If you are interested in constellations, such as Lyra, and would like to recognize them in the night sky, start with this book.