I thought that it may be useful to others to know what books I have used. These range from general astro imaging books, specific image processing books and books that help me find nightly targets to Catalogue's that give specific information about targets.
I have linked to the books on Amazon and specific sites where appropriate, although some are no longer in print and so it will be worth hunting around to get the best price. I have found Abebooks particularly useful for getting out of print books and second hand ones where Amazon prices are silly.
I have linked to the books on Amazon and specific sites where appropriate, although some are no longer in print and so it will be worth hunting around to get the best price. I have found Abebooks particularly useful for getting out of print books and second hand ones where Amazon prices are silly.
General astrophotography books
Making Every Photon Count - Steve Richards - This is an excellent starting place for anyone wishing to start astrophotography. It is written in simple to understand language and with many illustration it takes you through the kit you will need to start taking Deep Sky images and will also help you to understand why you need it. There's also a section at the end detailing some processing techniques and it gives you references for all the relevant software you will need.
The Deep-Sky Imaging Primer - Charles Bracken - This is almost a follow on from the Steve Richards book. It doesn't cover the basics of the kit you will need or how to use it, but it does have useful sections on all areas of imaging and processing. It does rely a little on theoretical equations, but if you are not technical minded you can skip them and not lose anything. There are a lot of illustrations for the points made in the book, especially the processing section.
The New CCD Astronomy - Ron Wodaski - This is a more general book, in line with Steve Richards, but it is more detailed and theoretical. It has all sections you will need and I found it very useful in parts. It also has section on processing and how to obtain and calibrate your data.
The Deep-Sky Imaging Primer - Charles Bracken - This is almost a follow on from the Steve Richards book. It doesn't cover the basics of the kit you will need or how to use it, but it does have useful sections on all areas of imaging and processing. It does rely a little on theoretical equations, but if you are not technical minded you can skip them and not lose anything. There are a lot of illustrations for the points made in the book, especially the processing section.
The New CCD Astronomy - Ron Wodaski - This is a more general book, in line with Steve Richards, but it is more detailed and theoretical. It has all sections you will need and I found it very useful in parts. It also has section on processing and how to obtain and calibrate your data.
Processing Astronomical Images
Lessons from the Masters - Robert Gendler at al - This is a book aimed specifically at processing images, with chapters from many big names in the imaging world. They cover processing of all areas, including planetary, solar and DSO's. There are many illustrations showing before and after images as well as specific Photoshop illustrations when detailing imaging processes. This is an excellent book that will suit people who want to explore all areas of imaging. It also covers callibration of data and there's some chapters on PixInsight as well.
Photoshop Astronomy - R Scott Ireland - This book covers all areas of DSO processing with a CD included so that you can follow the steps in the book with the same data. There are numerous illustrations as well showing the various processes involved. I haven't found this book as useful as the others as I haven't found it as simple to follow.
The Zone System for Astro Imaging - Ron Wodaski - This book is an excellent resource for really understanding the fine details of processing. It's packed full of Photoshop screens and simple explanations. This is a difficult book to get now, but it's well worth it and ended up giving me some real 'light bulb' moments.
Photoshop Astronomy - R Scott Ireland - This book covers all areas of DSO processing with a CD included so that you can follow the steps in the book with the same data. There are numerous illustrations as well showing the various processes involved. I haven't found this book as useful as the others as I haven't found it as simple to follow.
The Zone System for Astro Imaging - Ron Wodaski - This book is an excellent resource for really understanding the fine details of processing. It's packed full of Photoshop screens and simple explanations. This is a difficult book to get now, but it's well worth it and ended up giving me some real 'light bulb' moments.
Finding Imaging TargetsThe Arp Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies - Jeff Kanipe and Dennis Webb
Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders - Robert Bruce Thompson et al Deep Sky wonders - Walter Scott Houston The 100 Best Astrophotography targets - Ruben Kerr Deep Sky Companions : Hidden Treasures - Stephen O'Meara Deep Sky Companions : The Secret Deep - Stephen O'Meara Deep Sky Companions : The Caldwell Objects - Stephen O'Meara 1001 Celestial wonders to see before you die - Michael Bakich Uranometria 2000.0 Deep Sky Atlas - Wil Trion et al |
Catalogues and specific target informationConcise Catalogue of Deep-Sky objects - WH Finley
Atlas of the Messier Objects - Ronald Stoyan Uranometria 2000.0 Vol 3 Deep Sky field Guide - Murray Cragin NGC 2000.0 - Roger W Sinnott ed General Astronomy books The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Universe - Martin Rees The Stargazers Handbook An Atlas of the Night Sky - Giles Sparrow Hubble : A window on the Universe - Giles Sparrow |
