The Casual Sky Observer's Guide

The Casual Sky Observer's Pocket Guide offers an observing program for occasional amateur observers looking for some quick, fun astronomy adventures under the stars. In the real world, where time for observing is limited, the weather is seldom perfect, and expensive equipment is not an option, amateur astronomy may not be seen as a worthwhile activity. However, portable and quick-to-set-up instruments are available. A pair of binoculars or a small telescope fills the bill. And the way to make the most of these instruments is described in the Casual Sky Observer's Pocket Guide.

Not only does the book feature the best and brightest showpieces of the heavens; it also provides a great deal of physical and environmental data as well as lots of fascinating information and beautiful illustrations that provide a unique perspective on the many treasures within and beyond our home galaxy, the Milky Way--stars, star clusters, other galaxies, and nebulae, all within reach of binoculars or a small telescope.

Rony De Laet, a Belgian national who holds a Master of Science degree in Industrial Science (Chemistry), has been an enthusiastic  amateur astronomer since his teens. He has had articles published (in Dutch) in the monthly Flemish VVS Astronomical Magazine, and his special talent is in producing photo-real computer drawings of the night sky. His work was on exhibition at the International Astronomical Sketching Exhibition, called 'In the Footsteps of Galileo,' at the Blackrock Castle Observatory in Ireland (from February until May 2009) and then later at Birr Castle, the historic site of Ross's 1845 72-inch telescope (now restored and open for visitors).