This book goes hand in hand with any new telescope! Ideal for children and novices the book covers the best stargazing objects to see each season. On top of the story itself being so precious and offering up such a lovely story of friendship and overcoming insecurities and loneliness, there's also the art, which is iconic and stunning and sweet. I adore how expressive the characters are and the color palette used — Jen's style is one of my all-time favorites. The Practical Astronomer also includes a variety of detail-rich maps and charts, and it will also teach you how to set, adjust, align and use binoculars, telescopes and a wealth of other home kits for observing the night sky. The hardcover edition is not only great for every beginner astronomer, but it is also quite affordable.

I also liked how Moon was both "out of touch" with her heritage and also more in synch with Asian culture as a whole. She didn't speak Chinese, but she was obsessed with K-pop and knew more about trends than Christine and her friends, who were isolated by their parents' views and desires to maintain their Chinese culture. Moon's explanation of her differences was simple—she was so weird that of course she came from the stars, and she had visions to prove it. As a weird kid who didn't fit in with the others, I can totally agree with Moon on that end. When you're so weird, sometimes you have to find a way to explain your differences, and being an alien can often make more sense than any of the other reasons. This is very similar to Bartlett’s Easy Things to See With a Small Telescope, but designed for beginners who are using binoculars. Even if you have zero prior knowledge and are literally using the binoculars fresh out of the box, you’ll become a pro in no time. Science writer Sarah Scoles digs into the deep, sometimes dark, world of UFO conspiracies and stories for this fascinating book, mixing serious anecdotes from the community (told sceptically but sensitively) with real scientific research from across a range of disciplines.Aimed at astronomers aged from about 7 to 12 this book is a wonderful introduction to the practical side of astronomy. Follow Felicity the Cat as she guides you around the constellations learning everything from the moon’s phases to how to see the Northern Lights. A perfect Christmas gift for any child interested in space! Also available in bookshops.

This book is hugely detailed, both in its use of primary sources and in the explanations of the science involved. This is a great introduction to an important woman and her work.

4. The Practical Astronomer

Have you ever seen the Northern Lights? Would you know what to do if they appeared in front of you? Host of the Star Signs weekly stargazing podcast and founder of Stargazing.London, Tom Kerss’ guide to the Northern Lights goes way deeper than you might expect. When Peter Hill was a 19 year old student in the early 1970s he decided, despite having no experience, to be a lighthouse keeper. His story takes us briefly through his student life, his job interview, & on to the lighthouse work itself where he met a wonderful array of people. Canine cosmonauts on a 1960 Vostok test flight touch down safely in Siberia, but the KGB had insisted on including a self-destruct device in case of a landing in the West. It activates anyway, and two rescuers draw lots for who disarms the bomb – both wish to try. Straight from the pen of a scientist working with commercial spaceflight comes a memoir of getting into the air. Kellie Gerardi has worked with NASA, tested technology that would be sent to the International Space Station, and helped develop programmes for future space exploration.

The authors really help manage a beginner’s expectations, giving honest advice such as ‘leave astrophotography to the last’ – an important lesson that first-time astronomers often ignore.

If you choose to start with a small but high-quality scope, it can serve as your traveling companion for a lifetime — whenever it's impractical to bring along the big, more expensive scope that you eventually buy after your commitment to the hobby has passed the test of time. Lose Your Ego This one was so pure so beautiful that I want to recommend this book to every kid I meet. The feelings of fear, worry, loneliness, love, happiness and betrayal are portrayed so beautifully.