with James Muirden author of The Amateur Astronomer's Handbook m m Astronomy Binoculars James Muirden The night sky holds endless fasci- nation for almost everyone. The changing phases of the moon, the slowmovementsoftheplanets, the recurring meteor showers—these Will C. Gipple phenomena are not only beautiful, (415) 897-9453 74 Drakewood Lane but give one a deeper appreciation Novato, CA 94947 of the workings of the universe. Little wonder, then, that amateur astronomy has become such a popular hobby in recentyears. The greatest hindrance to most would-be stargazers has been the costliness of good telescopes. This book offers a middle ground for those who are not satisfied with naked-eye observation but who aren't ready to make a major in- vestment in equipment for a hobby they are just beginning. Here, James Muirden explains how to select binoculars, and then tells how to use them to observe the sun, the moon, the planets, and other astronomical objects, includ- ing comets, meteors, and novae (continuedon back flap) 0679 ASTRONOMY WITH BINOCULARS Astronomy with Binoculars & a -& James Muirden THOMAS Y. CROWELL, PUBLISHERS Established 1834 New York astronomy with binoculars. Copyright © 1963, 1976 by James Muirden. Copyright © 1979byFaberandFaberLimited. Allrightsreserved. Printedinthe UnitedStatesofAmerica. Nopartofthisbookmaybeusedorreproducedinany manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case ofbriefquota- tionsembodiedincriticalarticlesandreviews.ForinformationaddressThomasY. Crowell, Publishers, 10 East 53rd Street, New York, N.Y. 10022. FIRST U.S. EDITION DesignedbyEveKirch Library ofCongress Cataloging in Publication Data Muirden, James. Astronomy with binoculars. Includes index. — 1. Astronomy Observers' manuals. 2. Field-glasses. I. Title. QB64.M86 1979 523 77-11568 ISBN 0-690-01723-5 79 80 81 82 83 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 FOR J. H.