Galileo and 400 Years of Telescopic Astronomy / Astronomers' Universe (PDF)

Peter Grego is an astronomy writer and editor. A regular watcher of the night skies since 1976, he observes from his home in St Dennis, Cornwall, UK, with a variety of instruments. Grego's primary observing interests are the Moon's topography and the bright planets, but he likes to 'go deep' when there's no glare of the Moon to contend with. Grego has directed the Lunar Section of Britain's Society for Popular Astronomy (SPA) since 1984 and is the Assistant Director of the Lunar Section of the British Astronomical Association (BAA). He edits and produces four astronomy publications - Luna (journal of the SPA Lunar Section), The New Moon (journal of the BAA Lunar Section), the SPA News Circulars, and Popular Astronomy magazine. He is also layout editor for the Newsletter of the Society for the History of Astronomy. Grego is the author of numerous astronomy books, including: Collision: Earth! (Cassell, 1998), Moon Observer's Guide (Philip's/Firefly, 2004), The Moon and How to Observe It (Springer, 2005), Need to Know? Stargazing (Collins, 2005), Need to Know? Universe (Collins, 2006), Solar System Observer's Guide (Philip's/Firefly, 2005), Venus and Mercury and How to Observe Them (Springer, 2008); Astronomical Cybersketching (Springer, 2009); The Great Big Book of Space (QED, 2010), and others. He has given many talks to astronomical societies around the UK and has been featured on a number of radio and television broadcasts. Grego maintains his own website at www.lunarobservers.com (which occasionally features live webcasts of the Moon and planets and other astronomical phenomena) and is webmaster for the BAA Lunar Section at www.baalunarsection.org.uk . He is a member of ALPO, SPA, SHA, and BAA and is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. David Mannion has three degrees in astronomy and has worked as a teacher for 23 years in schools and colleges in the UK, Austria, and Turkey, and has also tutored for the Open University in Physicsand Astronomy. He is a

From the reviews:

“The organization is clear and easy to follow with excellent illustrations. In addition to providing history lessons and details of discoveries throughout the ages … include several easy-to-do exercises such as assembling and using a cross-staff or making a telescope from common optics (e.g., discarded binocular parts). Several tables of interesting events including close conjunctions or brighter Messier objects offer an incentive for the reader to become an observer. … Summing Up: Recommended. General audiences.” (M. K. Hemenway, Choice, Vol. 48 (7), March, 2011)

“This is an extraordinary book … . It’s really three books rolled into one; a sound historical overview, a practical explanation of the historical observations, and a useful reference … . skillfully combines aspects of telescopic astronomy in a way that is both very readable and stimulating. … refreshingly new way to present observational astronomy in its historical context and would be a great introduction to anyone starting out in practical amateur astronomy. It is definitely a must have for school libraries and astronomical societies.” (Kevin Kilburn, Popular Astronomy, March-April, 2011)

“This charming book is an easily accessible romp through the history of astronomy, concentrating on what is observable. … Galileo Galilei is clearly the book’s hero. His technical ability to make and improve his own instruments is much admired. … Grego and Mannion are clearly great fans of the Italian ‘father of modern science’. Their delightful book strongly encourages us all to try and follow in his footsteps.” (Carole Stott, The Observatory, Vol. 131 (1222), June, 2011)

“Galileo and 400 Years of Telescopic Astronomy is the story of science and civilisation, retold for a twenty-first century audience. … What makes this book unique is its accessibility. … the authors warmly encourage you to perform your own experiments. … Grego and Mannion paint an insightful