NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe

by Terence Dickinson, Timothy Ferris (Foreword), Adolf Schaller (Illustrator)

Revised Fourth Edition: updated for use through 2025.

The first three editions of NightWatch sold more than 600,000 copies, making it the top-selling stargazing guide in the world for the last 20 years. The key feature of this classic title is the section of star charts that are cherished by backyard astronomers everywhere. Each new edition has outsold the previous one because of thorough revisions and additional new material.

NightWatch has been acclaimed as the best general interest introduction to astronomy. The fourth edition has improvements over the 3rd edition in every chapter, including:


The famous charts, ideal for stargazers using a small telescope or binoculars A complete update of the equipment section, including computerized telescopes An enlarged photography section, including how-to instructions for using the new generation of digital cameras for astronomical photography, both with and without a telescope The tables of future solar and lunar eclipses, planetary conjunctions and planet locations, updated through 2025. This edition includes star charts for use in the southern hemisphere. There are also dozens of new photographs throughout the book that show the latest thrilling discoveries made by current space observatories and probes.

Genres: Astronomy, Science, Nonfiction, Reference, Space, Nature, Physics

192 pages, Spiral-bound

First published March 1, 1983

About the author

Terence Dickinson is a prolific science writer specializing in astronomy. More than one million copies of his 14 books are in print in five languages. His best-known book, NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe, is widely regarded as the essential guidebook for beginning stargazers. NightWatch, first published in 1983, now has over 600,000 copies in print, making it the top-selling stargazing guide in the world during the past 20 years. Each new edition has outsold the previous one because of extensive revisions and the addition of new material.

Reviews

[jer1ch0 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apologies for this brief and unprofessional review.
I bought this book as someone who is just starting out in astronomy. I found it to be an excellent read for someone like me. It explains everything from buying a telescope to the origin of the universe. It is bound in a ring binder style which makes it easy to use the many sky charts within. It has plenty of high quality full color photographs, courtesy of the Hubble space telescope.
There are many facts and figures in this book especially concerning size and distance that will leave you open-mouthed with disbelief. All the while the book is interspersed with humorous and interesting stories and experiences from the author himself.
One section that I found very handy was the pronunciation guide for the stars and constellations. You will find yourself dipping in and out of this book time and time again.
I can thoroughly recommend this book to many many people. Those like me, who are just starting out on their journey to the stars. Those people that have no intention of buying a telescope, but have maybe wondered about the solar system. Anyone between the ages of seven and seventy. Anyone that has ever glanced up.

[Jeremiah Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a self-proclaimed nerd, I love all things space-related. I was recently given an 8-inch Dobsonian Telescope as a gift, along with this book. Until now, my understanding of space and the night sky seemed to have little in common. Nightwatch did a beautiful job of bringing it all together for me. It also breaks down the mechanics of telescopes and provides you with the basic tools and knowledge that are required in astronomy in a way that is simple to understand and enjoyable. If it weren’t for this book, the process of finding things in the night sky with a telescope would be a complete mystery to me. In my humble opinion, this book is necessary if you wish to begin your hobby of amateur astronomy.

[Μανώλης Σιμιτσάκης · Rating 5 out of 5]

Τα κατάλαβα όλα, έμαθα τα πάντα. Όλο το βιβλίο μπορεί να συνοψιστεί σε μία εικόνα:


Just kidding...

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a Christmas with a telescope. I've been reading it off & on and thought it was time to review the book, but not put it up. It is a book to read through time and time again; whether for the start charts or other information.

My edition (4th) was published in 2015 and is updated for use through 2025.

[Larry Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a superb introduction to all things astronomical. I recently purchased my first "serious" telescope, and I thought a refresher course in the basics of observational astronomy might be in order. I've done my share of reading about the subject over the years, so I knew the basic concepts. This book crystallized my thinking and helped to prepare me for more serious involvement with the hobby. Highly recommended for anyone getting started or needing more up to date information about astronomy.

[Adam Chawansky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book for my trip to Africa in the hope that it would augment my appreciation and understanding of the night sky. To that end, Terence Dickinson really delivered. Starting with a description of the size and shape of the cosmos (and our humble place within it) and leading up to a tutorial on constellations and what to look for, this book has it all. There are also sections on the moon, planets, photography, and binocular/telescope advice. By the end of my trip I was able to explain much of what we were seeing to my fellow travelers.

[Chris Mertes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the must-have book for amateur astronomers, or anyone who would like to develop a deeper appreciation of the wonders of the night sky.

I like this book to be displayed on my coffee table, and in this manner, I have had the opportunity to encourage friends and neighbors to learn more about astronomy. Open this book to any page and learn, or remember something interesting about astronomy.

Currently this book is on loan to a dear, old friend. I hope she returns it after she instills a curiosity about astronomy to her children. If she doesn't return it, I will buy another copy!

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything you need to get started and then stick with stargazing, and is entertaining and quite readable to boot. Not only will it give you a nice introduction to basic astronomy, it will also give very practical advice on equipment - both for beginners as well as for more experienced stargazers. It is also filled with great star charts, and instructions on how to use them...plus has a really nice lay-flat binding so that you can actually take it outside with you when you're ready to explore the universe! This book is a must-have for the amateur astronomer's home bookshelf.

[Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, very practical and informative, excellent book to get you started looking at the night sky! Finding the constellation Scorpius was the best thing that has happened to me so far after reading this book (though soon I will be looking to identify specific craters on the moon in my next telescope night!) 5/5 would definitely recommend looking at the stars anytime you find yourself outside at nighttime :)

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative introduction to amateur astronomy. I learned a lot from this classic book. I didn't know until I received the book, but the author is Canadian! I'm glad I bought this book because I took some notes, and highlighted sections, and it's a good reference book to keep around the house. The starcharts are practical to take out in the field and the ring binding makes it easy to keep open on a starchart.

[Michael Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being an Astronomy Lover I own a fair share of sky-gazer books. Many of them obviously cover similar aspects of the viewable universe. This one I found to be very helpful at helping a typical night watcher identify what exactly he/she is looking at in the heavens.

A great book for just the amazing photographs of the universe but a much better book for an astronomy fan or even for someone who may need a little help getting motivated to start taking a peek at the AMAZING UNIVERSE that we are traveling around in.

[David S. T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been interested in Astronomy as long as I can remember, I always wanted to telescope but never got around to getting one. This year I finally broke down and bought a scope and this book. This book was pretty interesting as a beginners book, it covers some basic astronomy and information about some observable objects (like some nebula and the planets), getting a telescope and how to use some sky charts.

[Alleny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book to look up what kind of telescope to buy. I read this book and it gave more information on what kind of telescope to buy than the internet did. This book tells you the advantages and disadvantages about each kind of telescope. The most recommended telescope in there was the Dobsonian. These telescopes can give you great views of the planets but can also look farther out like a galaxy. I would never had gotten a good telescope without this book.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

NightWatch is an excellent book that introduces the scales of distance and size in a way that is... well it is still incomprehensible, but the book is written very well. Lot of illustrations make this book fun to flip through as well as reading the chapters. There is a great chapter on telescopes and equipment. I highly recommend buying this book before you make a telescope purchase.

[Michael Mangold · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful book chock full of useful information for the budding astronomer. The problem here is that new media have overwhelmingly surpassed print for the amateur hobbyist. Online forums, space-focussed blogs, iPhone and iPad apps are more current, useful and interactive than print publishing, especially critical for scientific and technological hobbies.

[Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a telescope as a gift, but had no idea where to point it. This book really puts it all together for the novice. It makes you want to go out and look for stuff.

[LaLine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book to start with if you are interested in really star gazing. Lots of good tips and practical information on what's up in the sky above us. Written in a very readable style.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the best, most practical books I could recommend for the budding or amateur astronomer's bookshelf! You will find yourself returning to this gem of a resource again and again.

[Kevin Cox]

Excellent! An essential beginner's guide to astronomy.

[P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say? World changing.

[George Eordanedes-Grammatekou · Rating 5 out of 5]

probably the ultimate guide to the cosmos....especially i loved the section with the 11 steps....prfect!

[Δx Δp ≥ ½ ħ · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely the best book for amateur astronomers

[Cindi]

I'm thinking of having this be required reading for my older kids (they love it when I do that). We are about to join the astronomy club and I want them to have a good background first.

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The absolute best starting point for anyone wanting to know more about the universe and how to get the best start to viewing it.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Excellent introduction to backyard astronomy and viewing the night sky. Moon & constellations.

[Lance Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great beginner book to the Night Sky! A must own book.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ultimate guide for beginner star gazers! It's my go to reference book!

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Notes:
great info on telescope/binocular purchasing
seasonal star charts

[Bob Mimiaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was undoubtedly one of the best books on astronomy I've read. It was a great primer on our solar system, Milky Way and galaxies, including clusters, nebula, variable stars and other objects in the cosmos. Dickinson was able to present the amateur astronomer with a detailed yet understandable explanation of the scientific basics for the systems in the heavens. What really comes through in the pages of this book is Dickinson's passion for astronomy, which has become a life-long career and love for him.

This book is written for the novice backyard astronomer so many astronomical terms are defined and explained clearly. There is also a great section on the different types of telescopes and a discussion about what kind of telescope would be best for the reader.

There are a variety of star charts including one set for star gazing with the naked eye and another set with information that can be used to explore the heavenly objects with a telescope.

I would highly recommend this as a first book for the person who is interested in beginning a hobby in backyard astronomy.

[Jeff Stephenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a reason that so many experienced amateur astronomers recommend this book. This book is a great introduction to backyard astronomy. The book should be almost considered essential reading for someone who is thinking about buying a first telescope before the purchase is made. This book gives a good overview of what to expect to see in the sky, the different types of telescopes available and when to use/obtain each type, star charts for all seasons, an introduction to astrophotography, and even a basic introduction to the Southern Hemisphere skies. If you, or someone you know, is thinking about buying a telescope or getting into amateur astronomy or backyard stargazing, then do not hesitate to obtain and read this classic book!