Sir Patrick Moore has long been the scourge of those people selling poor-quality astronomical telescopes via mail-order catalogues and non-specialist stores. Such inexpensive telescopes often involve misleading advertising copy and wildly inflated claims, particularly for magnification. But times have changed, and Patrick has admitted to being astonished by the quality of some of these cheap telescopes. The best of them are now excellent value and useful instruments. Astronomy With a Mail-order Telescope is in two parts. The first features test reports and essential hints and tips for buying, and the second explains how to use one of these low-cost telescopes for observing and even photographing celestial objects. The book is in full colour throughout and is perfect for anyone who is just taking up amateur astronomy.

Sir Patrick Moore, CBE, FRS has long been the scourge of those people selling low-cost astronomical telescopes via mail-order catalogues and non-specialist stores. Ten years ago the quality was appalling and disappointment would have been almost guaranteed - but times have changed. The first part of the book provides reports on some available models along with detailed and essential hints and tips about what to look for when buying. The second part describes how best to use the telescope, which celestial objects to observe (with full-page star charts to help find them), what you can expect to see, and how to take and even computer enhance astronomical photographs. -Explains what to look for when you buy a low-cost telescope. -Lists and describes the best celestial objects to observe. -Includes a detailed full-page star chart for every object listed, showing where to find it. -Illustrates what you can expect to see. -Includes a section on how to photograph and computer-enhance astronomical images. -Full colour throughout.

1 Introduction.- 2 How to Buy a Budget Telescope.- 3 How to Use a Budget Telescope.- 4 Observing the Solar System.- 5 Observing the Stars and Galaxies.- 6 Photography and Imaging.- 7 Image Processing Software.- 8 Trying Out Some Typical Budget Telescopes.- 9 The Next Steps.- Photographs: Acknowledgements.