This is a 1994 guide to the use of the most popular telescope in the world, the 20-cm (8-in) Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope. This compact instrument revolutionized amateur astronomy and astrophotography, and more than ten thousand are purchased each year. Peter Manly, a devotee and keen user of the Schmidt-Cassegrain, takes the telescope owner through all aspects of using the telescope in easy stages. It starts with techniques for viewing the Moon, then takes the observer through our planetary system and on to the deep sky, where nebulae and galaxies are treated extensively. There are interesting projects to try, such as observing the nearest star and chasing eclipses. A full range of telescope accessories and detectors is described, together with advice on their use, and suggestions for projects. The 40-page appendix is packed with hard-to-find practical information, arranged in ten separate sections.

‘ … walks the reader through all sorts of projects, gives tips on photography and presents a survey of accessories useful for both types of activities. Appendices tell the reader how to polar align, collimate and clean the telescope … this book does an excellent job in conveying the 8-inch SCT’s exciting potential. People who own, or are planning to buy, this type of scope will want to examine this book.’

Source: Astronomy

‘A useful book for Schmidt-Cassegrain owners or those considering the purchase of one.’

Source: Astronomy & Space