The Compendium of Practical Astronomy is unique. The practical astronomer, whether student, novice or accomplished amateur, will find this handbook the most comprehensive, up-to-date and detailed single guide to the subject available. It is based on Roths celebrated German language handbook for amateur astronomers, which first appeared over 40 years ago.

Why Astronomy?.- Fundamentals of Spherical Astronomy.- Applied Mathematics and the Computer.- Optics and Telescopes.- Telescope Mountings, Drives, and Electrical Equipment.- Astrophotography.- The Nature of Light and Matter: Fundamentals of Spectral Analysis.- Principles of Photometry.- Signals from Space: Radio Astronomy for Beginners.- Modern Sundials.- An Historical Exploration of Modern Astronomy.- The Social Astronomer.- Earth and Solar System.- Stars and Stellar Systems.