NightWatch by Terence Dickinson (5th Edition)
The stargazing guide amateur astronomers recommend, updated in 2023 with new star charts, a deep-sky atlas and chapters on equipment and astrophotography.
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For Him / Her / Kids
Turn Left at Orion 5th Edition — the guide to finding things with a small telescope
Turn Left at Orion, 5th Edition by Guy Consolmagno and Dan M. Davis (Spiral-bound)
Reviewed by the WhyToBuyThis team · Updated September 2026 · How we choose
Perfect for
- New telescope owners
- Finding deep-sky objects
- Lies flat at night
- Under $40
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Price: $30.26
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- Great gift ideaChosen for real-world gifting
- Hand-pickedCurated, not scraped
- Honest reviewThe catch, not just the hype
Why this gift works
Turn Left at Orion is Guy Consolmagno and Dan M. Davis's guide to observing with a small telescope. Each object gets a two-page spread showing how to find it and what it actually looks like through the eyepiece. This 5th edition from Cambridge University Press is 256 spiral-bound pages, with updated data and separate Northern and Southern Hemisphere chapters; the publisher says the book has sold over 150,000 copies.
It is the book that turns a new telescope from a Moon-only toy into a way to find star clusters, nebulae, galaxies and double stars. The spiral binding lies flat on a table in the dark, and the eyepiece sketches set honest expectations instead of glossy photos.
Who is this gift for?
Great for
- Someone with a new telescope
- Pairing with the Heritage 130
- Planning a dark-sky night
Think twice if
- They use binoculars only
- They want a pocket-size guide
The catch
It is a large book - about 10 x 12 inches and 2.5 pounds - it is written for small telescopes rather than binoculars, and some current tables live on the publisher's companion web page.
Skip if they only use binoculars, or already own an edition.
Key specs
| Authors | Guy Consolmagno and Dan M. Davis |
|---|---|
| Edition | 5th edition |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| Format | Spiral-bound, 256 pages |
| Size | 10.2 x 12.1 in, 2.5 lb (retailer) |
| ISBN | 1108457568 / 9781108457569 |
Worth knowing before you buy
- Earlier editions are separate listings, so check it says 5th edition.
- At about 10 x 12 inches it suits a table or car hood.
Why we like it
- Shows what objects really look like
- Step-by-step finding directions
- Spiral binding lies flat
- Covers both hemispheres
What to look for in a stargazing guide
- Level. Beginner guides explain how to find objects, not only what they are.
- Format. Spiral or lay-flat bindings are easier at the telescope.
- Hemisphere. Make sure it covers the sky where they live.
Questions people ask
Owners of small telescopes who want to find and recognize deep-sky objects.
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