Revised: April 2009

Were it not for a handful of hobbyists, space flight would never have gotten of the ground, so to speak. The nuclei of the teams that launched the first satellites, cosmonauts, and astronauts were science fiction fans who took their interests in astronomy and space flight so seriously that, in spite of the worldwide depression of the Thirties, they formed clubs in Germany, America, and the former Soviet Union to design and build rockets with their own resources. The NASA HQ library, as the only NASA library that is accessible to the public, is often asked to recommend books for people who would like to get started in amateur astronomy and model rocketry. This list is composed of books and websites that should be useful to anyone who is looking forward to joining the ranks of model rocketeers and amateur astronomers. You may also find interesting resources through our pages about Children's Space Resources and Science Fair Projects.

All items are available at the Headquarters Library, except as noted. NASA Headquarters employees and contractors: call x0172 or email Library@hq.nasa.gov for information on borrowing or in-library use of any of these items. Members of the public, contact your local library for the availability of these items. NASA Headquarters employees can request additional materials or research on this topic. The Library welcomes your comments or suggestions about this webpage.

Books

Discovery Channel. Night Sky: An Explore Your World Handbook. New York, NY: Discovery Books, 1999.

QB64 .N495 1999 BOOKSTACKS

 

Heywood, John. Radio Astronomy and How to Build Your Own Telescope. New York, NY: Arc Books, 1964.

QB475 .H47 1963 BOOKSTACKS

 

Johnson, Gaylord and Irving Adler. Discover the Stars. New York, NY: Sentinel Books, 1957.

QB801.6 .J65 1957 BOOKSTACKS

This book provides instructions on making simple astronomical instruments.

 

Kaler, James B. The Ever-changing Sky: A Guide to the Celestial Sphere. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 1996.

QB145 .K33 1996 BOOKSTACKS

 

Levy, David H. The Sky: A User's Guide. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 1991.

QB63 .L42 1991 BOOKSTACKS

 

Muirden, James. Astronomy with Binoculars. Princeton, NJ: Van Nostrand, 1963.

QB44.M95 A8 1963 BOOKSTACKS

Note: Binoculars are among the easiest tools for the newcomer to amateur astronomy.

 

Norton, Arthur Philip, and J. Gall Inglis. A Star Atlas and Reference Handbook (Epoch 1950) for Students and Amateurs. Edinburgh, UK: Gall and Inglis, 1959.

QB65 .N882 1959 BOOKSTACKS

Note: This title is usually referred to as Norton's Star Atlas, or just Norton's. It has gone through several reprintings.

 

Pasachoff, Jay M. Peterson First Guide to the Solar System. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1990.

QB46 .P277 1990 BOOKSTACKS

 

Sidgwick, J.B. Amateur Astronomer's Handbook. London, UK: Faber and Faber, 1955.

QB44 .S56 BOOKSTACKS

 

__________. Observational Astronomy for Amateurs. Hillside, NJ: Enslow Publishers, 1982.

QB64 .S56 1982 BOOKSTACKS

 

Stine, G. Harry. Handbook of Model Rocketry. New York, NY: Arco Pub., 1983.

TL844 .S75 1983 BOOKSTACKS

Note: Stine's Handbook is the basic guide to the science of model rocketry. It has gone through several reprintings.

 

Taylor, Peter O. Observing the Sun. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 1991.

QB521.4 .T39 1991 BOOKSTACKS

 

Texereau, Jean. How to Make a Telescope. Richmond, VA: Willmann-Bell, 1984.

QB88 .T413 1984 BOOKSTACKS

Note: This title is usually referred to as Texereau. It has gone through several reprintings.

 

Webb, Thomas William. Celestial Objects for Common Telescopes. New York, NY: Dover Publications, 1962.

QB64 .W36 BOOKSTACKS

Periodicals

Astronomy

 

Mercury

 

The Observer's Handbook

Note: This is an annual.

 

Sky and Telescope

Note: The HQ library doesn't have an active subscription.

 

Sport Rocketry

Note: The HQ library doesn't have an active subscription.

Internet Resources

NASA Resources

 

Benson, Tom. Beginner's Guide to Rockets. Dec. 9, 2005 [April 27, 2009].

http://exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/bgmr.html

 

Dew, Howard. Goddard Astronomy Club. April 2007 [April 27, 2009].

http://gac.gsfc.nasa.gov/

 

Dunbar, Brian. Amateur Astronomy. Nov. 30, 2007 [April 27, 2009].

http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/watchtheskies/stars_hobby.html

 

Gass, James E. ADC for Amateur Astronomers. Sept. 30, 2002 [April 27, 2009].

http://adc.gsfc.nasa.gov/adc/adc_amateurs.html

 

Hasan, Hashima. NASA International Year of Astronomy Page. Feb. 17, 2009. [April 27, 2009].

http://astronomy2009.nasa.gov/

 

Night Sky Network. 2009 [April 27, 2009].

http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm

 

Other Resources

 

Astronomical League. April 22, 2009 [April 27, 2009].

http://www.astroleague.org/index.php

 

Astronomical Society of the Pacific. April 24, 2009 [April 27, 2009].

http://www.astrosociety.org/

 

International Planetarium Society. April 18, 2009 [April 27, 2009].

http://www.ips-planetarium.org/

 

National Association of Rocketry. April 2009 [April 27, 2009].

http://www.nar.org/index.html

 

United States Naval Observatory. The Sky This Week. April 24, 2009 [April 27, 2009].

http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/tours-events/sky-this-week