Two books in this series, Small Astronomical Observatories, have been widely read and used. This new book by David Arditti gives the full story how to chooseatelescope,howtoconstructanobservatoryforit,andhowtomakethe bestofitwhencompleted. Astronomyisthebestofallhobbies;itcantakeupasmuchtimeasyoulike or as little. In any case, you will make many friends, and give yourself endless enjoyment. Tobeaproperastronomeryouneedanobservatory,andthisbook tells you how to set about making one. Follow David Ardittis advice, and you willnotregretit. Herestoclearskies! PatrickMoore ix AuthorsPreface Books on amateur observatories are quite rare, and most, if not all of them, in the past, have taken the form of collections of articles on particular obser- tories authored by their builders. The two books on observatories in this series already published, Small Astronomical Observatories, and More Small Ast- nomical Observatories are of this type. While useful, a danger of this approach is that it leaves gaps, and can be inconsistent in style and coverage. Discussing it with John Watson, the UK astronomy editor for Springer, we considered that it might be time for a more systematic and logical approach to be taken to the subject. Discussing it with other practical astronomers, there was also a feeling that the coverage of the subject in print had not kept pace with the technical developments that have transformed amateur astronomy, at least for some, in the last couple of decades, and that the examples in print now seemed rather old-fashioned. This book is the result of these considerations.

A physicist by training and specializing in materials science, David Arditti earns his living as a music writer and classical musician. He is a member of the British Astronomical Association and a committee member of the West of London Astronomical Society. He has written papers for the BAA Journal on the construction of small observatories.

Telescopes and Techniques.- The Observatory Site.- Types of Observatories.- To Build or To Buy?.- Techniques of Construction.- Finishing the Observatory.- Organising the Observatory.- Comfort and Convenience.- Some Case Studies.- Maintaining and Getting the Best from Equipment.