The Eclipse-Chasers.Com Book Store

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

Encyclopedia of the Sun 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!
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 *
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began supplying a steady stream of information about the sun and some of the information can be considered slightly out of date.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

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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
UK Solar Eclipses from Year 1 to Year 3000
by Sheridan Williams
ISBN: 1851420932
Published by Clock Tower Press
Available from publisher only.
Einstein and the Total Eclipse (Postmodern Encounters)
by Peter Coles
ISBN: 184046089X
September 1999, Paperback
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

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!
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

Storms from the Sun: The Emerging Science of Space Weather 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.
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.
Solar Astrophysics
by Peter Foukal
ISBN: 0471839353
May 1990, Hardcover
Text book for solar physics.

Star Charts

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.
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

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.
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.
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!



Do you have an Eclipse or Astronomy book to recommend for this list? If so, please let me know by contacting the webmaster at eclipse-chasers.com


Last update April 2008