The following is a list of library items recommended to those who are interested in learning more about their world.  

Clicking on the link will take you to Amazon.com's listing for the book and a complete description, as well as the opportunity to purchase it on-line.

Astronomy Books

• Field Guide to the Stars & Planets is a good general reference book with star charts, the basics of astronomy, and photographs of a wide variety of objects. 

• Burnham's Celestial Handbook : An Observer's Guide to the Universe Beyond the Solar System This is an outstanding reference guide to objects in the night sky.  Give histories and known information about all of the constellations, a many of the objects within them.

• 365 Starry Nights : An Introduction to Astronomy for Every Night of the Year This book gives interesting facts about the night sky and constellations.  For every day of the year, it tells you a little about a part of the sky that can be seen that night.

• The Backyard Astronomer's Guide A guide book to backyard astronomy, written by an author with years of experience as a stargazer.  This is a good getting started book.

Star Charts

• SKY ATLAS 2000.0 - Desk Version, (Black stars on white background) This is one of the most popular star charts for use in the field.  Recommended for those who are comfortable using their telescope and are looking for a good set of star charts.

• SKY ATLAS 2000.0 - Desk Version (Black stars on white background) (non-bound) The same charts as the version above, but in the unbound, unlamented version. These are less expensive, but do not hold up as well under the harsh conditions of the outdoors.

• URANOMETRIA 2000.0 Volume I The Premier Star charts are about the best available to the amateur astronomer.  These detailed charts are recommended for the medium to advanced telescopic observer.  Volume #1 covers the northern half of the sky.

• URANOMETRIA 2000.0 Volume II  - The same as volume#1, but covers the southern half of the sky.

• The Deep Sky Field Guide to Uranometria 2000.0 - This companion to Vol. 1 & 2 gives information on all of the deep sky objects (galaxies, nebulas, star clusters, ect.) listed in Uranometria, such as size, magnitude, classification, and so on.