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4 volume astronomy library - now just £23.49 inc UK mainland delivery.(normally £32.96)

Probably the best accessory you can get to help you enjoy telescopic astronomy is first-class information and guidance - and plenty of both. We've selected four of the best guide books available to help you get the most out of your telescope and precious observing time. Together this mini library offers over 600 expertly written pages, fully colour illustrated with photos, diagrams and maps. The library covers everything from setting up your telescope, selecting eyepieces, and basic astro-photography to detailed investigations of the Sun, Moon planets and stars as well as a volume dedicated to targets vastly beyond the solar system covering the deep-sky and includes a wide and beautifully illustrated range of bright easy to find nebulae and galaxies. All at a package price of just £23.49 inc UK mainland delivery - that's 25% off the published price!

This 4 volume library is a perfect book set for the novice telescope user. All written in a clear and lucid style they assume little on the part of the reader, providing guidance on setting up the telescope and using it for the first time to making detailed observations of some of the Universe's most remote and exotic objects.

Library contents:

1. Stargazing with a Telescope by Robin Scagell (175 pages).

This is the new edition of this Philip's bestseller, fully updated to include the latest accessories on the market. Philip's Stargazing with a Telescope reveals what to expect from a telescope and how to set the instrument up for your first night's observing. It gives straightforward explanations of how they work, and how to progress from first-time user to hobby observer. It gives practical help for setting up and using any telescope, and provides lists of objects to look at from British back gardens, from both town and country, including the Sun, Moon, planets, comets, asteroids, stars, clusters, variable stars, double stars, novae and supernovae, nebulae and galaxies. Aimed principally at newcomers to astronomy of all ages, who would like to begin observing for themselves, and perhaps make contact with other amateur observers. Philip's Stargazing with a Telescope has examples of objects to observe taken from both northern and southern hemispheres. It also gives informative advice about suitable accessories, such as eyepieces and filters, plus suggestions for photography through the telescope and choice of camera and film type. The guidance given is appropriate for all observing conditions. As well as being fully updated, this new edition has been expanded to include a glossary of technical terms and an index, making it even easier for the beginner to use and understand.

2. Moon Observer's Guide By Peter Grego (176 pages).

This practical guide for moonwatchers is suitable for the beginner and the more experienced observer. At the heart of the guide is a day-by-day lunar observing diary based on the progress of the terminator (the zone separating lunar day and night). Using sections of moon map for each day, the author explains what to look out for. The day's observing suggestions are divided into three sections, depending on whether you are observing with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope. A chapter is devoted to the various methods of recording the moon - from pencil sketches to digital CCD images. The author also explains the best way to observe and record eclipses.

3. Star Finder By John Woodruff and Wil Tirion. (64 pages)

A month-by-month calendar for stargazers in the northern hemisphere. Twelve aspects charts show the position of stars and other celestial objects in both northerly and southerly directions for each month of the year. An introduction explains the basic facts of astronomy.

4. Deep Sky Observer's Guide By Neil Bone. (192 pages)

This comprehensive guide is the latest addition to Philip's popular series of observer's guides. Aimed at the relative newcomer to astronomy, it explains in straightforward, non-technical language what is meant by the 'deep sky', and how to observe the universe beyond our Solar System. Many people have been inspired by the incredible images returned from the Hubble Space Telescope and wish to see such objects for themselves. While the views through Earth-based telescopes are not so spectacular as those obtained from space, it is a huge thrill to look at such famous objects as the Triangulum Galaxy or Horse-head Nebula. This has become a very popular activity for sky-watchers.

Each type of Deep Sky object is dealt with chapter by chapter - galaxies, globular clusters, diffuse nebulae, open clusters, double stars, planetary nebulae and supernova remnants. Each chapter recommends a number of objects or 'targets' to view, and the author describes how to find them and what to expect to see, as well as providing important data and tips for drawing or photographing the target.

A complete set of star maps marks all the objects included in the book, and additional charts are provided for targets that are tricky to locate.

Deep Sky Observer contains descriptions of more than 200 deep sky objects, suitable for users of binoculars and small telescopes. Finder charts help to locate the more difficult objects, and a set of star maps is annotated with all the targets described. The book is full colour throughout, with more than 100 photographs and drawings.