Choosing and Using a Refracting Telescope has been written for the many amateur astronomers who already own, or are intending to purchase, a refracting telescope - perhaps to complement their existing arsenal of larger reflecting telescopes - or for the specialist who requires a particular refractor for serious astronomical applications or nature studies.
Four hundred year ago, during the winter of 1609, a relatively unknown Italian scientist, Galileo Galilei designed a spyglass with two crude lenses and turned it skyward. Since then, refractors have retained their dominance over all types of reflector in studies of the Moon, planets and double stars because of the precision of their optics and lack of a central obstruction in the optical path, which causes diffraction effects in all commercially-made reflectors.
Most mature amateur astronomers got started with a 60mm refractor, or something similar. Thirty years ago, there was little choice available to the hobbyist, but in the last decade long focus crown-flint achromats have moved aside for some exquisitely crafted apochromatic designs offered by leading commercial manufacturers. There has been a huge increase in the popularity of these telescopes in the last few years, led by a significant increase in the number of companies (particularly, William Optics, Orion USA, StellarVue, SkyWatcher and AstroTech) who are now heavily marketing refractors in the amateur astronomical magazines.
In Choosing and Using a Refracting Telescope, well-known observer and astronomy writer Neil English celebrates the remarkable history and evolution of the refracting telescope and looks in detail at the instruments, their development and their use.
A major feature of this book is the way it compares not only different classes of refractor, but also telescopes of each class that are sold by various commercial manufacturers. The author is perhaps uniquely placed to do this, having used and tested literally hundreds of different refracting telescopes over three decades.
Because it includes many diverse subjects such as imaging with consumer-level digital cameras, imaging with webcams, and imaging with astronomical CCD cameras - that are not covered together in equal depth in any other single volume - Choosing and Using a Refracting Telescope could become the 'refractor bible' for amateur astronomers at all levels, especially those who are interested in imaging astronomical objects of every class.
Industry Reviews
From the reviews:
"Dr. Neil English is no stranger to the astronomical community ... . His knowledge of telescope optics is highly respected, and here he endeavours to lay down all his knowledge in a concise and thorough manner. He opens the book with a wonderful overview of the history of the telescope ... . this book something you really want to own, as it's a guide not only to what is achievable by anyone with modest equipment, but also what to aspire to. Thoroughly recommended." (Nick Howes, Astronomy Now Online, May, 2011)
"Neil English opens with a brief history of refractor design, including the contributions of Lippershey, Galileo and Huygens, amongst others. ... the text is clearly written and there's plenty of useful data in the appendix. ... it's a valuable resource for anyone thinking about buying a refractor or who wants to learn more about the history and development of this iconic scientific instrument." (Mark Parrish, BBC Sky at Night Magazine, June, 2011)
"Having owned around a dozen refractors over the years-ranging from a 'lowly' 40mm refractor, through several antique examples to a go-to refractor-I was keen to read a book that promised to reinforce my love for 'the prince of telescopes'. ... An excellent, up-to-date book containing much more than I have outlined in this review. English communicates his passion for refractors, and the book comes to life with user accounts of refractors old and new." (Peter Grego, Popular Astronomy, July-August, 2011)
"Value to have accessible a comprehensive guide to the availability and use of refractors, which have a special attraction and romance -- especially for those who have used and appreciated the best of them. ... The short but useful appendices include glossaries of terms and formulae, and data on a selection of double stars which can be used for testing refractors of various apertures. ... Even for those with only the slightest interest, it would certainly inspire them." (R. A. Marriott, The Observatory, Vol. 131 (1224), October, 2011)
