Timothy Ferris

The author explores how backyard stargazers are changing our knowledge of the universe, recounts his own experiences, and shares information on some of the more interesting things that can be seen in space.

How Amateur Astronomers Are Discovering the Wonders of the Universe

Seeing in the Dark

Sarah Sammis

Seeing in the Dark is a short but dense series of essays on different aspects of amateur astronomy. Each chapter is a different topic or a different experience from Timothy Ferris's life.

Ferris begins his fascinating book by describing how he got hooked on astronomy as a child. He includes a loving review of an older science book: A Child's Geography of the World by V. M. Hillyer. I was so excited by his review of his childhood favorite, that I bought a copy for myself!

Seeing in the Dark took me longer than I expected to read. It's full of so many interesting details and facts that I had to savor each chapter. One of my favorite bits was his meeting with Clyde Tombaugh (1906-1997), the man who discovered Pluto. Apparently the Smithsonian asked him for the telescope he used to make the discovery. Tombaugh turned down their request. Why? He was still using it!

Seeing in the Dark How Amateur Astronomers Are Discovering the Wonders of the Universe

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