There are currently many books on the market which cater for the novice amateur astronomer. However astronomy, like almost everything else, has become much more sophisticated in recent years. Many observers wish to go on beyond the stage of just looking, or making simple observations of the celestial bodies. There are only something like ten thousand professional astronomers, world wide. Consequently the opportunities are there for amateurs to make a particularly valuable contribution in astronomy, as in no other science. Even if one has no real wish to advance knowledge, astronomy is a hobby which becomes so much more enjoyable with just a little increase in effort and in sophistication of approach.

At present there is a real paucity of books which cater for the more advanced amateur astronomer. This book was written with the aim of filling that gap. What about that term - amateur? It strikes up connotations of slap-dash and trifling work carried out by someone very inexpert. I use that term many times in this book but never, never, NEVER in that context. Instead, I use it in the sense of its more exact meaning - someone who cultivates an art or study for the love of it.

I hope that you enjoy this book and find it useful. In order to make it of manageable (and affordable) size I have had to deal with some subjects extremely tersely and one or two areas I have had to leave out altogether.