Astronomical Cybersketching Author: Peter Grego Publisher: Springer ISBN: 978-0-387-85350-5 Price: £22.99 (Pb), 219pp
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Amateur astronomy has been transformed by the personal computer, and the pursuit of astronomical sketching is no exception. Peter Grego has taken on the challenge of introducing observers to this fertile territory in his richly illustrated book.

No guide to cyber-sketching would be complete without a discussion of the hardware needed to get the job done, and that’s where the first section begins. The topic is covered in great detail, from a historic overview of computing itself, to the inner-workings of all the key components of desktop and portable computers. The author makes a well-documented case for computers being used to generate, assist, and enhance the sketching process. Readers will also be well-armed as they explore the tools they could use to produce cyber-sketches. However, the rich historical notes may seem burdensome if you are more interested in simply knowing which devices you should consider using.

The second section begins with a thorough coverage of planetarium, database and observing log software and continues by explaining digital images themselves, and the specific graphic software you can use to produce and edit them. The sketches used to illustrate this section are outstanding examples of what can be accomplished using digital media.

The chapter then digs in deep and walks you through the actual process of creating lunar, planetary and deep sky sketches on your PDA or tablet PC. Related topics such as digital templates, video-assisted sketching and revitalising old sketches are also covered. Compared to the level of detail afforded the hardware and software sections, this chapter ends quite suddenly, although the material is still inspiring and educational and it might just motivate you to take up a new and rewarding side of the hobby.

Jeremy Perez