Most amateur astronomers, because they live in or near cities, have to carry out their observing from relatively light-polluted sites. It is possible to reduce the effects of a poor location by the use of CCD imaging, but many observers prefer to look at astronomical objects rather than photograph them. Skill, observing techniques, and modern technology - such as image intensifiers - can now be used to astonishing effect to observe the night sky in real-time. Illustrating the book with images and some of his own superb drawings, Antony Cooke explains how to observe some of the most spectacular objects from less than perfect observing sites.

Climate change is acknowledged as being one of the most important areas of research today. Increasing global temperatures will impact all of us to a greater or lesser extent. From the point of view of research it is an enormously important and complex subject. However, little attention is paid to its relationship to astronomy, the sun in particular but not exclusively. Though directed at an astronomically inclined readership, and providing some less well-known astronomically related information, studies and concepts, this book will also appeal to a broader public, who need to understand the subject of climate change and learn of all the various theories and possible solutions.

There are 'voids' obscuring all kinds of objects in the cosmos.Voids may be withinan object, or betweenan object and us. "Dark Nebulae, Dark Lanes, and Dust Lanes" looks out into the deep sky at those apparent darkregions in space, which are among the most compelling telescopic destinations for amateur observers.One famous example is Barnard's dark nebulae - those striking dark clouds set against the background of stars in the Milky Way. But there are countless other less well knownexamples.These dark regions are often ignored altogether or commented upon onlybriefly in astronomy books, and it is all too easy to overlook the treasure trove they offer the observer.

"Dark Nebulae, Dark Lanes, and DustLanes" is a great source of practical information for observers.Such voids may be successfully observed using conventional observing methods, but they are often far better seen with technologies such as light-pollution filters, CCD video cameras, and image intensifiers. This book explains the optimal ways to observe each object in detail."

Modern astronomical telescopes, along with other advances in technology, have brought the deep sky - star clusters, nebulae and the galaxies - within reach of amateur astronomers. And it isn't even necessary to image many of these deep-sky objects in order to see them; they are within reach of visual observers using modern techniques and enhancement technology.

The first requirement is truly dark skies; if you are observing from a light-polluted environment you need Tony Cooke's book, Visual Astronomy in the Suburbs. Given a site with clear, dark night skies everything else follows... this book will provide the reader with everything he needs to know about what to observe, and using some of today's state-of-the-art technique and commercial equipment, how to get superb views of faint and distant astronomical objects.

NEW UPDATED EDITION; June 27, 2013. In 'Charles Ives and his Road to the Stars, ' Antony Cooke brings a fresh new approach to the music of America's iconic composer in this accessible account of what lay behind the music of this modern titan. It has been over a quarter of a century since the period of indulgent revisionism impacted his ascending star, leading to the much touted 'reassessment' of his contributions. With a comprehensive approach and detailed examination of a broad cross section of the music itself, the real Ives finally is revealed, all the many myths, misconceptions, faulty impressions, and incorrect conclusions at long last stripped away. With clear indications that Ives' encoded in his music a spiritual link to the cosmos, the special destination and purpose leading to his legendary and almost tragically mythic Universe Symphony finally become clear, this focal work receiving an in-depth examination. If all too often the composer has been kept from the broader public by an elitism that Ives would have abhorred, or by the many tangled analyses that tell us more about the writers than they do about Ives, Cooke steers the reader toward a clear understanding of this iconic figure - an American treasure, one whose music and life brings vividly to mind the almost forgotten time of the golden age of America's emergence as a dominant presence in its own right - while treating Ives with the respect earned but often denied.