Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy (Paperback): Choosing and Using a New CAT : Getting the Most from Your Schmidt Cassegrain or Any Catadioptric Telescope (Paperback)

Commercial astronomical telescopes are increasingly complex, with sophisticated computers now the norm. This guide is designed to help astronomers understand these complex new instruments. The author has a proven track record in helping people enjoy astronomy.

Choosing and Using the New CAT will supercede the author's successful Choosing and Using a Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope, which has enjoyed enthusiastic support from the amateur astronomy community for the past seven years.

Since the first book was published, a lot has changed in the technology of amateur astronomy. The sophistication and variety of the telescopes available to amateurs has increased dramatically. Computerized SCTs, Maksutov-Cassegrains, and most recently Meade's new and acclaimed Ritchey-Chrétiens have come to dominate the market. That means that all amateurs considering the purchase of a new telescope (not only a SCT, and not just beginners) will benefit from this detailed guide. Choosing the right telescope for particular kinds of observation (or even for general work) is far from easy - but Rod Mollise gives invaluable advice and guidance.

Today's commercially-made astronomical telescopes are more complex than ever, and a new owner will swiftly discover that the manuals shipped with these telescopes leave much to be desired. Further guidance is a must. Choosing and Using the New CAT provides the missing information in a friendly but authoritative fashion, including imaging the solar system and deep space with the CCD cameras, video, and webcams that have almost completely supplanted 'film' cameras.