Choosing and Using a Dobsonian Telescope

In the 1960's, American amateur astronomer, John Dobson, designed a revolutionary kind of astronomical telescope featuring a lightweight large-aperture reflecting system on a simple mounting, using the then-revolutionary material called teflon. The design combines simplicity and portability with large-aperture prowess. Thirty years later Dobsonians remain supreme for visually observing faint deep-sky objects and are one of the best-selling large telescopes in the USA and Europe. This popularity is reflected in the recent increase of companies now heavily marketing Dobsonians, in particular, Meade (the "Lightbridge" range), Orion USA (XT Intelliscope series), and Skywatcher (Skyliner and Flextube models). This book is the ultimate guide to buying and using commercial Dobsonians, both 'Econo' and 'Primo' models, with in-depth accounts for the various models (plus accessories) on the market and descriptions of the many innovations that amateurs have made to optimize their telescopes' performance.

Experienced observer and writer on astronomy, Neil English has enjoyed looking through and writing about Dobsonian telescopes of all vintages. A Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, Neil has been a regular contributor to Britain’s Astronomy Now for over 15 years. His work has also appeared in Astronomy magazine and New Scientist. He holds a PhD. in biochemistry and a BSc in physics and astronomy. English is the also the author of the sister Springer title, Choosing and Using a Refracting Telescope. He observes from the dark skies of rural, central Scotland, where he lives with his wife and two young sons.