The following list of books is based on my own readings and the recommendations of others. It is presented in conjunction with Amazon.Com with any income derived from sales going towards the purchase of additional books to read and list at this site. Thank you for your support! -Bill Kramer
General catagories: The Sun * Solar and Lunar Eclipses * Star Charts * Astrophotography * Solar System * Physics
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The Sun |
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The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the Sun
by Kenneth Lang ISBN: 0521780934 268 Pages, Hardcover September 2001 |
Extremely well illustrated with a nice blend of basic math and
theory. Readable by those without advanced degrees in physics and
introduces the current theories about the nature of the Sun from the
inside out. All major subjects of solar physics are covered concisely
without long lists of references. The references provided are useful
for the student wanting to learn more about this fascinating
subject. Recommended! |
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Nearest Star
by Jay Pasachoff and Leon Golub ISBN:067-4004671 304 Pages, Hardcover May 2001 |
A very well written book for those looking for answers about the sun, yet not wanting to be bored with detailed explanations and math about the physics involved. This book explains what we know about the Sun in an easy to follow manner. Current exploration of the Sun through space and ground based telescopes are covered as each aspect of the Sun is unvieled. If you have ever wondered what keeps the Sun working and how we study it, this is a book you need to read! * Highly recommended * |
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Guide to the Sun
by Kenneth Phillips Paperback, June 1995 ISBN: 052139788X |
This book explores the physics of the sun in detail. The high level math and physics are left out to allow the reader to understand the concepts before exploring deeper into the nature of the sun. This book was written based on information before SOHO began supplying a steady stream of information about the sun and some of the information can be considered slightly out of date. But only a little as this book offers a wonderful description of the sky's brightest star. |
Solar and Lunar Eclipses |
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Total Solar Eclipses and How to Observe Them
by Martin Mobberley Sept 2007, Paperback, 202 pages ISBN: 0387698272 |
Newer information for eclipse chasers, more complete review pending. |
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Eclipses 2005-2017: A Handbook of Solar And Lunar Eclipses And Other Rare Astronomical Events
by Wolfgang Held April 2005, Paperback, 224 pages ISBN: 0863154786 |
From the former director of the Kepler Observatory, a handbook of eclipse information. |
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Eclipses 2005-2017: A Handbook of Solar And Lunar Eclipses And Other Rare Astronomical Events
by Wolfgang Held Dec 2000, Hardback, 192 large pages ISBN: 0521791480 |
Beautiful book of eclipse pictures and stories. Great addition to the coffee table of any serious eclipse chaser or observatory. |
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Totality : Eclipses of the Sun
by Mark Littmann, Ken Willcox, Fred Espenak July 1999, Paperback, 256 pages ISBN: 0195131797 |
Excellent book - required for anyone interested in knowing about eclipses. Fred Espenak wrote the eclipse chasers travel guide (see Fifty Year Canon of Solar Eclipses below) that is used by every eclipse chaser in modern times. This book is a no-nonsense description of solar eclipses, history of eclipses, and how to photograph an eclipse. An excellent reference resource, this book has details for eclipses that will occur up to 2020. Highly Recommended |
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Eclipse!: The What, Where, When, Why, and How Guide to Watching Solar and Lunar Eclipses
by Philip S. Harrington ISBN: 0471127957 September 1997, Paperback, 280 pages |
Very well written and informative. This book has a great deal of information about upcoming eclipses and covers lunar eclipses better than any of the other books on this web page. Both lunar and solar eclipses up to the year 2017 are provided in detail with weather almanac data for most of the total solar eclipses. This book is a "must have" for eclipse enthusiasts! Highly Recommended! |
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The Cambridge Eclipse Photography Guide : How and Where to Observe and Photography Solar and Lunar Eclipses
by Michael A. Covington, Jay M. Pasachoff (Editor) October 1993, Paperback, 135 pages ISBN: 0521456517 |
A very good book that covers eclipse dynamics and photography with details about all the eclipses of the 1990's. This book concentrates on photography technique and has some very good diagrams describing the basics of coupling a telescope and a camera together. |
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The Sun in Eclipse (Practical Astronomy)
by Michael Maunder, Patrick Moore ISBN: 3540761462 December 1997, Paperback, 280 pages |
A very well written book that is a pleasure to read as well as reference. The only eclipse that has a special chapter is the 1999 total solar eclipse over Europe. This book describes eclipse chasing best and is a very good resource for someone planning their first total solar adventures. Tables and lists of what to bring and what to look for are presented in an easy to read format that makes this book a lot of fun to read by both veteran and novice eclipse chasers. |
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Chasing the Shadow : The Dymanics of Eclipses
by Charles P. Sands ISBN: 1313759513 July 2005, Paperback |
This book contains some of the clearest descriptions of the Earth-Moon-Sun orbit system I've seen to date. A simple concept once understood, the dynamic relationship between the Earth - Moon - Sun is often difficult to describe to others. This books puts it all into simple, plain English. I recommend this book for all libraries, schools, and teachers of basic Astronomy. |
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Fifty Year Canon of Solar Eclipses 1986-2035
by Fred Espenak ISBN: 0933346581 Paperback |
Excellent resource of technical information and details. The book is a lot of tables listing eclipse circumstances and very well drawn maps. Most of these maps have been used in the above eclipse books to show where the eclipse will take place. Sometimes called the "Vacation Guide" or "Travel Planner" by experienced eclipse-chasers, this reference book is something that any eclipse enthusiast will treasure. And to make it more fun to read, there is a computer program provided in the back that can be used to calculate eclipse data specifics. | |
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UK Solar Eclipses from Year 1 to Year 3000
by Sheridan Williams ISBN: 1851420932 |
Published by Clock Tower Press Available from publisher only. |
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Einstein and the Total Eclipse (Postmodern Encounters)
by Peter Coles ISBN: 184046089X September 1999, Paperback |
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Eclipse: The Celestial Phenomenon That Changed the Course of History
by Duncan Steel ISBN: 030907438X October 2001, Hard cover |
Interesting book. Covers many eclipses from history and goes into other related events such as lunar eclipses, transits, and occultations. |
Astrophotography |
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Astrophotography for the Amateur
by Michael A. Covington ISBN: 0521627400 July 1999, Paperback |
Excellent book for the serious astrophotographer to have on hand when planning a session. This book is full of useful charts and tables that will assist you in figuring out optimal exposure settings. Covers all topics of film based astrophotography and includes an introduction to the quickly changing CCD technology. Highly recommended! |
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Practical Astrophotography
by Jeffrey R. Charles ISBN: 1852330236 July 2000, Paperback |
The cover of this book has a picture of a solar eclipse. It must be good! |
Solar System Astronomy |
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Storms from the Sun: The Emerging Science of Space Weather
by Michael Carlowicz, Ramon Lopez ISBN: 0309076420 234 pages, Hardcover May 2002 |
Great book that explains the nature of solar events and how they affect the solar system. Mixes just enough science jargon and concepts with intuitive descriptions to describe things such as the aurora, space travel hazards, and why solar activity is important to life on Earth. |
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Physics and Chemistry of the Solar System
by John S. Lewis (Editor) ISBN: 0124467423 September 1997, Paperback, 608 pages |
Text book for advanced astronomy about the solar system. |
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Solar Astrophysics
by Peter Foukal ISBN: 0471839353 May 1990, Hardcover |
Text book for solar physics. |
Star Charts |
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The Cambridge Star Atlas by Wil Tirion ISBN: 0521560985 September 1996, Hardcover - 90 pages |
Excellent reference for constellations and major deep sky objects found in them. Has tables highlighting each section of the sky with deep sky, variable star, and double star references. |
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The Observer's Sky Atlas: With 50 Star Charts Covering the Entire Sky
by Erich Karkoschka ISBN: 0387986065 May 1999, Paperback - 130 pages |
A very good little book that is easy to take with you in the field. It contains some good star charts with finder views making it easier to locate deep sky objects. Tables on facing pages detail major objects in the maps on the other page. Easy to use and what I recommend if you can bring only one book with your telescope. |
Modern Physics |
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Spectroscopy: The Key to the Stars: Reading the Lines in Stellar Spectra by Keith Robinson ISBN: 0387367861 January 2007, Paperback |
Non math approach to spectroscopy that teaches the basics of reading stellar spectra. |
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The Elegant Universe : Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory
by Brian Greene ISBN: 0375708111 February 2000, Paperback |
A very readable introduction to the fields of quantum mechanics and modern physics. Uses easy to follow illustrations to help show the interaction of the multiple levels of the universe as we think we understand it. |
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The Tao of Physics : An Exploration of the Parallels Between Modern Physics and Eastern Mysticism by Fritjof Capra ISBN: 1570625190 January 2000, Paperback |
Interesting read as this book equates modern physics with eastern mystic philosophy. Lots of fun! |
Last update April 2008