Listmania!
Astronomy Must Haves!
By an Amazon.com customer
Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Telescope with Bonus Accessory Pack Crayford-Style FocuserOrion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Telescope with Bonus Accessory Pack Crayford-Style Focuser
This is a huge, but elegant scope! I personally like scopes without all that Go-To business attached because the computer stuff is annoying to me. I'd rather plot things out with my SkyScout or star charts.
Orion Mini Giant 8x56 BinocularOrion Mini Giant 8x56 Binocular
Buy new: $169.95
Wow! :D My favorite! See my review of this product on the product page for details. I love this thing! I never have a serious star gaze session without it.
AstronomyAstronomy
Buy new: $42.95
Fantastic! My favorite Space Mag. // Great companion website! I look forward to receiving my copy every month!
Sky & TelescopeSky & Telescope
Buy new: $42.95
Amazingly good mag....especially for folks who truly love science! // Great companion website! I also subscribe to this one! I always find it fun to compare with Astronomy each month.
Slooh ™ Explore Space Prepaid Telescope CardSlooh ™ Explore Space Prepaid Telescope Card
Buy new: $47.50
An online telescope--friends included. I love Slooh's programs, views, galleries, forums, and missions. You can even take pictures of sky objects that you are viewing.
Uncle Milton HomestarUncle Milton Homestar
Buy new: $124.12
One of the best home planetariums you can buy! // Before you buy though, see if the Homestar Pro---new version is available...if you like more features in your products. Look for my review as well on that page for more info! // I have this Uncle Milton Homestar, and I am very satisfied.
Starry Night Complete Space & Astronomy PackStarry Night Complete Space & Astronomy Pack
Buy used from: $45.99
Personal Planetarium for your computer...great for cloudy nights and night sky study, especially if you are into constellations and Messier objects. Worth having.
Orion 17mm Stratus Wide-Field Eyepiece, 1.25"/2"Orion 17mm Stratus Wide-Field Eyepiece, 1.25"/2"
Buy new: $129.95
This is a must have eye-piece! Whether your scope is small or large, you can enjoy a nice slice of the sky! // My astronomer instructors loved it too!
Celestron SkyScout Personal PlanetariumCelestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium
Buy new: $199.99 / Used from: $175.00
Learn the real night sky with your personal guide! I love this thing! [And it is NOT shaped like a gun like Meade's MYSky. I've heard people having a bit of trouble with that MySky product, but check it out too so you can have more info.]
Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro TelescopeOrion StarBlast 4.5 Astro Telescope
Buy new: $134.95
Great little grab and go scope! A nice product for its size and abilities. I have one, and it's easy to use and fun.
Orion RedBeam SP Self-Powered LED FlashlightOrion RedBeam SP Self-Powered LED Flashlight
Buy new: $24.95
You need this, especially if you attend Star Parties. Crank it up and watch it light!
Orion Small Accessory Case, BlackOrion Small Accessory Case, Black
Buy new: $26.95
An excellent way to organize astro gear like eyepieces, filters, maps, etc. I would totally loose stuff without a case to keep it all in.
Celestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars w/Tripod AdapterCelestron SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars w/Tripod Adapter
Buy new: $69.95 / Used from: $48.16
BIG Binos can bring the sky close to you! But you may want to add a tripod for these huge lens...unless you can hold them steady!
SkyQuest XT8 IntelliScope w/o Object LocatorSkyQuest XT8 IntelliScope w/o Object Locator
It's big for big appetites; it captures a chunk of the night sky; it's a serious scope for serious star-gazers. [Note: must have a good back to tote this thing around! And if you do the computer option, you'll need some tech skills.] My friend has one and he loves it!
Stargazing JournalStargazing Journal by Potter Style
Buy new: $9.31 / Used from: $11.01
Use this fine product to record your observations! It's the best one of its kind for science-minded teens and adults. It's more formal and conservation than the Night Sky Tracker: Backyard Astronomer's Logbook.
Night Sky Tracker: Backyard Astronomer's LogbookNight Sky Tracker: Backyard Astronomer's Logbook by Leslie A. Horvitz
Buy new: $13.25 / Used from: $8.09
This is a great product for organizing your viewing. Keeping a journal of what you see in the night sky is really very satisfying. It's great to revisit a viewing night and see what notes you made! I love this thing!
EINSTEIN FIGUREEINSTEIN FIGURE
Buy new: $6.49
Action Figure for Astronomers! Go on! Put him in a Star Wars or Star Treck adventure! LOL // Makes a great little decoration for physics class.
Night Sky MonopolyNight Sky Monopoly
Buy new: $29.95
Cool! Get your astro friend together even on a cloudy night! Indoor Star Party anyone?
Cloud b Twilight Turtle - Constellation Night LightCloud b Twilight Turtle - Constellation Night Light
Buy new: $29.99
Twilight is truly a stellar product. Champion of the little sleeper, the turtle chases away total darkness, anxiety, stress, and fear; he instills peace, confidence, joy, and curiosity. The product is also suitable for adults who have trouble sleeping, who need a comforting, non-intrusive night light, and / or who wish to create a peaceful, non-stressed bedroom mood.
Hugg-A-Planet Mars Plush GlobeHugg-A-Planet Mars Plush Globe
Go on! Hug the Red Planet! :) // This was a big hit with my students. // Amazon Note, June 29; Available at external website: Cool Stuff Express for $18.99, Use Amazon Search "hug a planet mars" for the link! :)
The Grand Tour: A Traveler's Guide to the Solar SystemThe Grand Tour: A Traveler's Guide to the Solar System by William K. Hartmann
Buy new: $15.56 / Used from: $0.01
WOW! Grab a Ticket...it's a holiday in space! I love this book, especially some of the included space art. You just have to be in awe of Saturn.
Astronomy For Dummies (For Dummies (Math & Science))Astronomy For Dummies (For Dummies (Math & Science)) by Stephen P. Maran
Buy new: $13.59 / Used from: $7.87
Read this book, and you will be on your way to being an amateur astronomer! :D
The Cosmos: Astronomy in the New Millennium (with AceAstronomy, Virtual Astronomy Labs Printed Access Card)The Cosmos: Astronomy in the New Millennium (with AceAstronomy, Virtual Astronomy Labs Printed Access Card) by Jay M. Pasachoff
Buy new: $126.85 / Used from: $64.97
Great Astro textbook! The AceAstronomy labs are helpful. // Our local college uses this one.
A Traveler's Guide to MarsA Traveler's Guide to Mars by William K. Hartmann
Buy new: $14.78 / Used from: $0.01
Tour Mars without leaving your arm chair! [Bring your own popcorn!]
StarfinderStarfinder by DK Publishing
Buy new: $21.90 / Used from: $7.70
This book really takes you into space! It's an excellent primer for the night sky. Great pictures and fun features. Mine came with constellation cards.
There Once Was a Sky Full of StarsThere Once Was a Sky Full of Stars by Bob Crelin
Buy new: $12.21 / Used from: $0.87
Teach young people about Light Pollution!
Traveller's Guide to MarsTraveller's Guide to Mars by Michael Pauls
Buy used from: $1.41
I love this! Tongue and Cheek tour of the Red Planet.
Out of the Silent Planet (Space Trilogy, Book One)Out of the Silent Planet (Space Trilogy, Book One) by C.S. Lewis
Buy new: $10.40 / Used from: $5.50
One of my favs! The best Mars story I have read to date...
Planet Mars: Story of Another World (Springer Praxis Books / Popular Astronomy)Planet Mars: Story of Another World (Springer Praxis Books / Popular Astronomy) by François Forget
Buy new: $26.37 / Used from: $26.04
I love this book! Colorful and easy to grasp.
Mars (DK Eyewitness Books)Mars (DK Eyewitness Books) by DK Publishing
Buy new: $10.87 / Used from: $4.98
Great Mars info and views! Check out other DK science books too. They are excellent!
Holst: The PlanetsHolst: The Planets by Gustav Holst
Buy new: $15.98 / Used from: $6.59
Amazing! Each planet has a musical / mythical personality in this collection.
The Universe - The Complete Season One (History Channel)The Universe - The Complete Season One (History Channel)
Buy new: $24.99 / Used from: $24.48
Cool! I love this series.
A Field Guide to the Stars and Planets (Peterson Field Guides)A Field Guide to the Stars and Planets (Peterson Field Guides) by Jay M. Pasachoff
Buy new: $20.00 / Used from: $17.00
Intriguing a guide full of facts and photos.
La LunaLa Luna by Sarah Brightman
Buy new: $10.97 / Used from: $3.69
Music...strange but appealing.
Exploring the Night Sky: The Equinox Astronomy Guide for BeginnersExploring the Night Sky: The Equinox Astronomy Guide for Beginners by Terence Dickinson
Buy new: $9.95 / Used from: $0.01
Sweet! :)
Paint the Sky with Stars:  The Best of EnyaPaint the Sky with Stars: The Best of Enya by Enya
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $3.45
Music with a cosmic / universal feel. If you want even more cosmos in your music, be sure to try the song stylings and music of Jonn Serrie or Llewellyn.
Roving MarsRoving Mars
Buy new: $21.99 / Used from: $9.58
Must see! However, it contains more CGI than actual Mars--just a note for those who like more realism. :) I found the rover story inspiring though.
Vincent Van Gogh (The Starry Night, Huge) Art Poster Print - 40" X 53.5"Vincent Van Gogh (The Starry Night, Huge) Art Poster Print - 40" X 53.5"
My favorite painting / poster.
Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing "Hoax"Bad Astronomy: Misconceptions and Misuses Revealed, from Astrology to the Moon Landing "Hoax" by Philip C. Plait
Buy new: $10.85 / Used from: $4.97
LOL This is cool! When is science not a science...