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An Astronomer's Tale: A Bricklayer’s Guide to the Galaxy
A Bricklayer's Guide to the Galaxy . . .
The inspirational memoir of a former brickie who followed his passion for the stars and built his own observatory.
Gary Fildes left school at sixteen, got a trade like most of his mates and was soon married with four kids. His life seemed set. But he had a secret. Something he only practised late at night with a few like-minded friends. Then one day, middle age approaching alarmingly, he acted on his lifelong passion. He finally came out. As an astronomer.
Today, Gary is the founder and lead astronomer of Kielder Observatory, one of the top ten stargazing sites in the world, which he also helped to build. Situated in the beautiful forests of Kielder, Northumberland, within Europe’s largest protected dark sky park, it offers some of the UK's most spectacular views of stars, planets and galaxies.
An Astronomer’s Tale is Gary’s inspirational story: part memoir, part nature writing, part seasonal guide to the night sky. It is a book brimming with passion; and at a time when the world is captivated by space, it will leave you ready to get out there and explore the wonders of the skies for yourself.
The inspirational memoir of a former brickie who followed his passion for the stars and built his own observatory.
Gary Fildes left school at sixteen, got a trade like most of his mates and was soon married with four kids. His life seemed set. But he had a secret. Something he only practised late at night with a few like-minded friends. Then one day, middle age approaching alarmingly, he acted on his lifelong passion. He finally came out. As an astronomer.
Today, Gary is the founder and lead astronomer of Kielder Observatory, one of the top ten stargazing sites in the world, which he also helped to build. Situated in the beautiful forests of Kielder, Northumberland, within Europe’s largest protected dark sky park, it offers some of the UK's most spectacular views of stars, planets and galaxies.
An Astronomer’s Tale is Gary’s inspirational story: part memoir, part nature writing, part seasonal guide to the night sky. It is a book brimming with passion; and at a time when the world is captivated by space, it will leave you ready to get out there and explore the wonders of the skies for yourself.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 21, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 28, 2017
Gary Fildes was one of the many who struggled to get a job in the Eighties in Sunderland. Married young, he ended up with four children and no real prospects and after a few dead-end jobs, he ended up learning a trade in the building industry. But he had a secret, from an early age he had borrowed his brother’s telescope and discovered this wonder of the night sky. After talking about it to one group of lads and getting a pummelling, decided it wasn’t cool, and kept it this passion hidden from most of his friends and colleagues. After he lost his father, and middle age was approaching faster than he would have liked, he realised that there was no point keeping his hobby a secret anymore.
The stars have captivated mankind for as long as they have been looking up. Civilisations have sought meaning from the stars as well as using them to predict (fairly unsuccessfully) the future. Nowadays most of us cannot see the delights of the Milky Way as it is lost in the light pollution. However, grabbing a pair of binoculars and taking a little time to head away from the town light and you will be rewarded with all the delights of the night sky. Since that moment, Fildes has gone on to found the Kielder Observatory and is the lead astronomer there. This stunning building is located in the Keilder forest which is one of the top sites for dark skies and there you can find some of the best views of the universe from the UK. Astronomy is one of those sciences that literary anyone can participate in. Amateurs have found as many exciting new phenomena as the professionals and the people that run the observatory are looking to inspire the next generation of stargazers.
This part memoir also has a useful star guide. It is a good introduction for those wanting to find out more about the sky at night, Not bad, for a former brickie.
The stars have captivated mankind for as long as they have been looking up. Civilisations have sought meaning from the stars as well as using them to predict (fairly unsuccessfully) the future. Nowadays most of us cannot see the delights of the Milky Way as it is lost in the light pollution. However, grabbing a pair of binoculars and taking a little time to head away from the town light and you will be rewarded with all the delights of the night sky. Since that moment, Fildes has gone on to found the Kielder Observatory and is the lead astronomer there. This stunning building is located in the Keilder forest which is one of the top sites for dark skies and there you can find some of the best views of the universe from the UK. Astronomy is one of those sciences that literary anyone can participate in. Amateurs have found as many exciting new phenomena as the professionals and the people that run the observatory are looking to inspire the next generation of stargazers.
This part memoir also has a useful star guide. It is a good introduction for those wanting to find out more about the sky at night, Not bad, for a former brickie.
January 12, 2017
A couple of years back I attended a Star Gazing evening at the Kielder Observatory in Northumberland where Fildes works as lead astronomer. It wasn't a success.
This was mainly because it was cloudy and once outside we couldn't actually see very much at all.
But it was also because it was the night that I realised that I was not a natural when it came to Astrophysics. My brain was well and truly fried within minutes of the 'talk'. It was (literally) way, way over my head!
I did love the place though - the enthusiasm of everyone shone through.
And I've just had a quick look at the Observatory events calendar for 2017 which shows event after event as being 'sold out'. Bearing in mind the remoteness of the Observatory and also the weather in the very north of England in the winter this is pretty amazing.
Fildes tells his story well and he never takes himself too seriously. In fact most of the time he seems to be scratching his head puzzling how he has managed to live his dream so successfully!
Mind you, from bricklayer to Astrophysicist is pretty amazing and I have nothing but admiration for him.
And I haven't given up on my star gazing. I am fortunate enough to live in a rural spot with very little light pollution, and our night skies are wonderful. And we've just bought our first 'proper' telescope! The monthly Sky Guide in the book is very helpful for beginners like us.
I'll finish with one of the quotes from the book which fills me with complete awe. It's about the Whirlpool galaxy -
"The light from the Whirlpool galaxy has to cover 186,282 miles every second for 22 million years, before we can even see it".
This was mainly because it was cloudy and once outside we couldn't actually see very much at all.
But it was also because it was the night that I realised that I was not a natural when it came to Astrophysics. My brain was well and truly fried within minutes of the 'talk'. It was (literally) way, way over my head!
I did love the place though - the enthusiasm of everyone shone through.
And I've just had a quick look at the Observatory events calendar for 2017 which shows event after event as being 'sold out'. Bearing in mind the remoteness of the Observatory and also the weather in the very north of England in the winter this is pretty amazing.
Fildes tells his story well and he never takes himself too seriously. In fact most of the time he seems to be scratching his head puzzling how he has managed to live his dream so successfully!
Mind you, from bricklayer to Astrophysicist is pretty amazing and I have nothing but admiration for him.
And I haven't given up on my star gazing. I am fortunate enough to live in a rural spot with very little light pollution, and our night skies are wonderful. And we've just bought our first 'proper' telescope! The monthly Sky Guide in the book is very helpful for beginners like us.
I'll finish with one of the quotes from the book which fills me with complete awe. It's about the Whirlpool galaxy -
"The light from the Whirlpool galaxy has to cover 186,282 miles every second for 22 million years, before we can even see it".
July 24, 2017
detailed and educational book about the stars from the author who started off his working life as a bricklayer who had an obsession with star gazing
March 9, 2020
I can still remember it. Sometime round about when I was 10, some quirk of meteorology and atmosphere rendered London's night time sky, for one evening, clear enough to see the stars. Not the handful of stars that fight their way through the pollution murk and the splurging of neon, but some fraction of the thousands of stars that had enthralled the sky-turned eyes of our ancestors when they coined phrases like, "As many as the stars in the sky." Growing up in London, that did not seem like that many. But for that one night - maybe it coincided with one of the electricity blackouts when the power workers went on strike in the early 1970s - I could see the stars.
We have sealed ourselves off with light. The artificial light with which we banish darkness has made of the stars a sight that many children might never know. I would not be surprised if most of this generation has never seen a night sky in all its wonder. As such, we have made the world a hunched, closed-in space. I wonder if part of the sense of contemporary hopelessness is down to this closing off of the daily wonder of a sky full of stars and the sense of mystery and infinite depth that it conveys: it's a shrunken, lidded-over world we now inhabit.
Gary Fildes, a proper Sunderland lad growing up in the 1970s and '80s, was fortunate in living where truly dark skies were not far away - and they saved him. A passion, a genuine, lifelong passion for a subject or interest can be the making of a man and it proved to be so for Fildes: destined for a life of labour as a bricklayer, married and a young father, he combined this with a secret love of astronomy. The book is a series of anecdotes about growing up within the world and within the astronomical community, telling how Fildes ended up, to his own surprise more than anyone else's, as the director of the Kielder Observatory set in the largest Dark Skies Park in Britain, combined with an astronomer's guide to the changing night sky through the year. It's a lovely book - just a shame that, barring another series of power cuts, the night sky here in London remains as unpopulated as Rome during the coronavirus outbreak.
We have sealed ourselves off with light. The artificial light with which we banish darkness has made of the stars a sight that many children might never know. I would not be surprised if most of this generation has never seen a night sky in all its wonder. As such, we have made the world a hunched, closed-in space. I wonder if part of the sense of contemporary hopelessness is down to this closing off of the daily wonder of a sky full of stars and the sense of mystery and infinite depth that it conveys: it's a shrunken, lidded-over world we now inhabit.
Gary Fildes, a proper Sunderland lad growing up in the 1970s and '80s, was fortunate in living where truly dark skies were not far away - and they saved him. A passion, a genuine, lifelong passion for a subject or interest can be the making of a man and it proved to be so for Fildes: destined for a life of labour as a bricklayer, married and a young father, he combined this with a secret love of astronomy. The book is a series of anecdotes about growing up within the world and within the astronomical community, telling how Fildes ended up, to his own surprise more than anyone else's, as the director of the Kielder Observatory set in the largest Dark Skies Park in Britain, combined with an astronomer's guide to the changing night sky through the year. It's a lovely book - just a shame that, barring another series of power cuts, the night sky here in London remains as unpopulated as Rome during the coronavirus outbreak.
December 3, 2016
I was fascinated from beginning to end. I have now fallen in love with the night sky. Needless to say I spent most of last night looking up at the stars and I have a sore neck today. Orion is particularly bright in my location at the moment and the nebula in his sword was fascinating to see through my crappy binoculars (I have a new pair on order), and through my camera. I took some long exposures that turned out a bit blurry; however, it's amazing how many more stars can be seen this way compared to our normal eyesight.
This book will sit proudly amongst my other nature books, including The Wind in the Willows; the novel that first introduced me to the wonders of nature and myths all those years ago.
This book will sit proudly amongst my other nature books, including The Wind in the Willows; the novel that first introduced me to the wonders of nature and myths all those years ago.
June 21, 2017
Superb read for those who love the night sky. This book explains the constellations, cosmic objects and how to locate them. And his story on building Kielder observatory is just amazing.
Oh. Now I wanna get a telescope
Oh. Now I wanna get a telescope
May 23, 2017
Unter Sternen - Ein bewegender Lebensweg; ein cleverer Genre-Mix
Unter Sternen von Gary Fildes ist ein Genre-Mix aus Biografie und Sachbuch. Die Story- und Info-Kapitel wechseln sich im Buch ab, doch es ist auch möglich, sie unabhängig voneinander zu lesen. Das Hardcover enthält viele Farbfotos aus Gary Fildes´ Leben sowie 24 Sternkarten. Auch als Geschenk wunderbar geeignet.
Was passiert?
Geboren wurde Gary Fildes in Sunderland, einer englischen Provinz unweit der schottischen Grenze. Weitab aller höheren Bildungschancen beginnt er nach der Schule und kurzer Arbeitslosigkeit seine Ausbildung als Maurer. Mit 18 war er bereits verheiratet und Vater eines Sohns. Drei weitere Kinder sollten folgen. Doch abends, nach zehn Stunden Arbeit auf der Baustelle und Familienleben, las er Fachbücher über Astronomie. Und das durfte niemand wissen.
Unter Sternen beschreibt Gary Fildes´ Weg vom Maurer zum Erbauer, Leiter und ersten Astronom des Kielder Observatory im Norden Englands, welches weltweit zu den zehn größten öffentlichen Sternwarten zählt. Für seine Verdienste um die Astronomie bekam er den Master of Science ehrenhalber von der Durham University.
Worum geht´s?
Wer sein Ziel erreichen will, der muss durchhalten. Das ist die Botschaft dieser Biografie. Bei seiner Arbeit als Astronom geht es Gary Fildes darum, Menschen die Astronomie näher zu bringen. Dafür bereiste er die ganze Welt, besuchte eines der größten und modernsten Teleskope in der Atacama-Wüste in Chile und traf sogar Stephen Hawking. Ja, Gary Fildes lebt ein wirklich außergewöhnlich aufregendes Leben.
Auf die Storykapitel folgen Informationen rund um die Sternbilder des Nachthimmels, anschaulich dargestellt mit Sternkarten, die sehr informativ sind, doch teils auch etwas trocken - wenn man sie tagsüber liest. Ich habe eine Sternatlas-App genutzt, um die Tipps zur Orientierung am Nachthimmel nachzuvollziehen. Das ist eine gute Alternative zum nächtlichen Lesen.
Die Astronomie, dafür lebt Gary - und das ist auch in jedem Kapitel zwischen den Zeilen spürbar. Dabei ist es ihm egal, ob sein Leser sich für die wissenschaftliche Seite der Astronomie interessiert oder verträumt in den Nachthimmel schaut: Er erzählt aus der griechischen Mythologie, erklärt die Deutung der Sternzeichen als Bild und geht auf besondere Konstellationen wie z.B. die Sonnenfinsternis ein. Dazu gibt es Tipps für Anfänger und erklärt die Grundlagen: Wie funktionieren unsere Augen nachts? Wie ist ein Teleskop aufgebaut?
Wie war´s?
Seit früher Kindheit hat Gary Fildes in die Sterne gesehen. Doch dieses Hobby war in der Kleinstadt verpönt. Harte körperliche Arbeit, jung eine Familie gründen, ein Haus bauen - das wurde in der Provinz in den 1990er Jahren geschätzt. Am Wochenende ging es mit den Jungs zum Fußball, wo Gary sich regelmäßig seinen Frust von der Seele prügelte. Im Buch wird deshalb sein Bekenntnis zur Astronomie durchweg als „Outing“ bezeichnet, welches nur wenige seiner Freunde akzeptierten. Die Schwere dieses Konflikts lief bei mir leider ins Leere. Die Idee aber, sein Observatorium vor allem auch Jugendlichen zugänglich zu machen, um in ländlicher Region auch außergewöhnliche Interessen zu fördern, beruht auf diesem Umstand. Eine gute Sache!
Abgesehen davon ist Unter Sternen aber ein sehr motivierendes Buch, welches dazu verleitet, eigene Probleme zu durchleuchten und einen Weg zu finden. Gary Fildes Weg zum Astronomen hat über 35 Jahre gedauert, in denen er nie aufhörte, sich mit den richtigen Leuten zu treffen und zusätzliche Nachtschichten einzulegen, um durchs Teleskop zu schauen. Mich hätte interessiert, wie seine Familie Garys Hobby empfand. Leider bleibt seine Frau und die vier Kinder in dieser Autobiografie fast vollständig außen vor, was der Story für mich den Anschein einer recht einseitigen Heldengeschichte gab.
Vielen Dank an den Ludwig-Verlag für dieses schicke Rezi-Exemplar.
[Ausführliche Rezi mit weiteren Infos/Fotos und Film zum Kielder Observatory auf meinem Blog.]
Unter Sternen von Gary Fildes ist ein Genre-Mix aus Biografie und Sachbuch. Die Story- und Info-Kapitel wechseln sich im Buch ab, doch es ist auch möglich, sie unabhängig voneinander zu lesen. Das Hardcover enthält viele Farbfotos aus Gary Fildes´ Leben sowie 24 Sternkarten. Auch als Geschenk wunderbar geeignet.
Was passiert?
Geboren wurde Gary Fildes in Sunderland, einer englischen Provinz unweit der schottischen Grenze. Weitab aller höheren Bildungschancen beginnt er nach der Schule und kurzer Arbeitslosigkeit seine Ausbildung als Maurer. Mit 18 war er bereits verheiratet und Vater eines Sohns. Drei weitere Kinder sollten folgen. Doch abends, nach zehn Stunden Arbeit auf der Baustelle und Familienleben, las er Fachbücher über Astronomie. Und das durfte niemand wissen.
Unter Sternen beschreibt Gary Fildes´ Weg vom Maurer zum Erbauer, Leiter und ersten Astronom des Kielder Observatory im Norden Englands, welches weltweit zu den zehn größten öffentlichen Sternwarten zählt. Für seine Verdienste um die Astronomie bekam er den Master of Science ehrenhalber von der Durham University.
Worum geht´s?
Wer sein Ziel erreichen will, der muss durchhalten. Das ist die Botschaft dieser Biografie. Bei seiner Arbeit als Astronom geht es Gary Fildes darum, Menschen die Astronomie näher zu bringen. Dafür bereiste er die ganze Welt, besuchte eines der größten und modernsten Teleskope in der Atacama-Wüste in Chile und traf sogar Stephen Hawking. Ja, Gary Fildes lebt ein wirklich außergewöhnlich aufregendes Leben.
Auf die Storykapitel folgen Informationen rund um die Sternbilder des Nachthimmels, anschaulich dargestellt mit Sternkarten, die sehr informativ sind, doch teils auch etwas trocken - wenn man sie tagsüber liest. Ich habe eine Sternatlas-App genutzt, um die Tipps zur Orientierung am Nachthimmel nachzuvollziehen. Das ist eine gute Alternative zum nächtlichen Lesen.
Die Astronomie, dafür lebt Gary - und das ist auch in jedem Kapitel zwischen den Zeilen spürbar. Dabei ist es ihm egal, ob sein Leser sich für die wissenschaftliche Seite der Astronomie interessiert oder verträumt in den Nachthimmel schaut: Er erzählt aus der griechischen Mythologie, erklärt die Deutung der Sternzeichen als Bild und geht auf besondere Konstellationen wie z.B. die Sonnenfinsternis ein. Dazu gibt es Tipps für Anfänger und erklärt die Grundlagen: Wie funktionieren unsere Augen nachts? Wie ist ein Teleskop aufgebaut?
Wie war´s?
Seit früher Kindheit hat Gary Fildes in die Sterne gesehen. Doch dieses Hobby war in der Kleinstadt verpönt. Harte körperliche Arbeit, jung eine Familie gründen, ein Haus bauen - das wurde in der Provinz in den 1990er Jahren geschätzt. Am Wochenende ging es mit den Jungs zum Fußball, wo Gary sich regelmäßig seinen Frust von der Seele prügelte. Im Buch wird deshalb sein Bekenntnis zur Astronomie durchweg als „Outing“ bezeichnet, welches nur wenige seiner Freunde akzeptierten. Die Schwere dieses Konflikts lief bei mir leider ins Leere. Die Idee aber, sein Observatorium vor allem auch Jugendlichen zugänglich zu machen, um in ländlicher Region auch außergewöhnliche Interessen zu fördern, beruht auf diesem Umstand. Eine gute Sache!
Abgesehen davon ist Unter Sternen aber ein sehr motivierendes Buch, welches dazu verleitet, eigene Probleme zu durchleuchten und einen Weg zu finden. Gary Fildes Weg zum Astronomen hat über 35 Jahre gedauert, in denen er nie aufhörte, sich mit den richtigen Leuten zu treffen und zusätzliche Nachtschichten einzulegen, um durchs Teleskop zu schauen. Mich hätte interessiert, wie seine Familie Garys Hobby empfand. Leider bleibt seine Frau und die vier Kinder in dieser Autobiografie fast vollständig außen vor, was der Story für mich den Anschein einer recht einseitigen Heldengeschichte gab.
Vielen Dank an den Ludwig-Verlag für dieses schicke Rezi-Exemplar.
[Ausführliche Rezi mit weiteren Infos/Fotos und Film zum Kielder Observatory auf meinem Blog.]
August 27, 2023
Mir will nicht mehr einfallen, wer mich auf dieses Sternenguckerbuch aufmerksam gemacht hat, aber es ist mir noch gut in Erinnerung, dass ich es sofort gekauft habe. im Rahmen meiner #12booksin12month habe ich es endlich gelesen. Und bin so begeistert.
Gary Fildes, ein Kind des Arbeitermilieus interessiert sich schon früh für den Sternenhimmel. Mit dem Teleskop seines Bruders macht er erste Erfahrungen und tastet sich autodidaktisch nach und nach durch unser Weltall. Sternbild für Sternbild, Planet für Planet erforscht er die unendlichen Weiten, und das Hobby wird zur Besessenheit. Es mündet darin, dass er eine Sternwarte im Kielder Forest in Northumberland baut, einer lichtarmen Gegend im Norden Englands. Fildes ist nicht etwa Academiker, sondern hat die Schule mit 16 Jahren verlassen und als Maurer gearbeitet und Kontakte zur Hooligansszene gepflegt. Er verknüpft in diesem Buch seine Lebensgeschichte mit seiner Leidenschaft für den Sternenhimmel. Das Kielder Observatory gehört mittlerweile zu den renommiertesten Sternwarten der Welt, ist einer der meist besuchten Plätze Nordengland und Fildes wurde ein Astronom von Weltrang dem von der University of Durham der Master of Science ehrenhalber verliehen wurde.
Dieses Buch beinhaltet aber noch mehr als seine Biografie und Begeisterung für den Sternenhimmel. Es erklärt uns himmlische Phänomene, wie zum Beispiel die Polarlichter, welche Sternbilder, in welchen Monaten zu erkennen sind und wie wir diese erkennen können (auch ohne Teleskop), ein Glossar zu den wichtigsten Begriffen für Hobbyastronomen, und, und, und…
Das alles passiert in einer einfachen Sprache, die jedem verständlich ist. Noch wichtiger ist, da wo bei mir ein schwarzes Loch mit fehlendem Know-how und auch Interesse für das uns umgebende All war, schaffte er Interesse und Neugier zu wecken. Ich habe das Buch jetzt nicht bis ins letzte Detail gelesen, denn die Kapitel über die jeweiligen Monate nehme ich mir jetzt in den jeweiligen Monaten vor. Aber es ist wirklich gut geschrieben und wenn ihr auch nur im entferntesten Lust habt neue Galaxien zu erobern, dann greift zu diesem Buch. Für mich ein Highlight, in das ich sicherlich immer mal wieder rein schauen werde. Und die Moral von der Geschicht? Auch wenn man wenig Zugang zu Bildung hat, lohnt es sich nach den Sternen zu greifen. Gary Fildes zeigt uns, was mit Begeisterung und Leidenschaft möglich ist.
Gary Fildes, ein Kind des Arbeitermilieus interessiert sich schon früh für den Sternenhimmel. Mit dem Teleskop seines Bruders macht er erste Erfahrungen und tastet sich autodidaktisch nach und nach durch unser Weltall. Sternbild für Sternbild, Planet für Planet erforscht er die unendlichen Weiten, und das Hobby wird zur Besessenheit. Es mündet darin, dass er eine Sternwarte im Kielder Forest in Northumberland baut, einer lichtarmen Gegend im Norden Englands. Fildes ist nicht etwa Academiker, sondern hat die Schule mit 16 Jahren verlassen und als Maurer gearbeitet und Kontakte zur Hooligansszene gepflegt. Er verknüpft in diesem Buch seine Lebensgeschichte mit seiner Leidenschaft für den Sternenhimmel. Das Kielder Observatory gehört mittlerweile zu den renommiertesten Sternwarten der Welt, ist einer der meist besuchten Plätze Nordengland und Fildes wurde ein Astronom von Weltrang dem von der University of Durham der Master of Science ehrenhalber verliehen wurde.
Dieses Buch beinhaltet aber noch mehr als seine Biografie und Begeisterung für den Sternenhimmel. Es erklärt uns himmlische Phänomene, wie zum Beispiel die Polarlichter, welche Sternbilder, in welchen Monaten zu erkennen sind und wie wir diese erkennen können (auch ohne Teleskop), ein Glossar zu den wichtigsten Begriffen für Hobbyastronomen, und, und, und…
Das alles passiert in einer einfachen Sprache, die jedem verständlich ist. Noch wichtiger ist, da wo bei mir ein schwarzes Loch mit fehlendem Know-how und auch Interesse für das uns umgebende All war, schaffte er Interesse und Neugier zu wecken. Ich habe das Buch jetzt nicht bis ins letzte Detail gelesen, denn die Kapitel über die jeweiligen Monate nehme ich mir jetzt in den jeweiligen Monaten vor. Aber es ist wirklich gut geschrieben und wenn ihr auch nur im entferntesten Lust habt neue Galaxien zu erobern, dann greift zu diesem Buch. Für mich ein Highlight, in das ich sicherlich immer mal wieder rein schauen werde. Und die Moral von der Geschicht? Auch wenn man wenig Zugang zu Bildung hat, lohnt es sich nach den Sternen zu greifen. Gary Fildes zeigt uns, was mit Begeisterung und Leidenschaft möglich ist.
August 16, 2021
I REALLY enjoyed this book....for numerous reasons:
I have been trying to get into astronomy for many years but have found the jargon complex, so my poor little brain has struggled . I bought a cheap telescope off the Internet a few years ago, and tried another book that had been recommended as great for beginners but it was still way too wordy. This is such an overwhelming topic and although everyone starts off a beginner I'm not sure authors always break it right down (although I have actually taken it back to kid level books and making better progress!)
I really like the way this book is split up.... The months are spilt into bi-monthly star mapping sections on what you will see at that time of year with comprehensive information on the constellations and planets that will (potentially) be seen. I shall return to these when they are relevant, so my aim was to get to the end of the book before the cejd of the month so I was ready for the Sept sky. Preceeding these are sections about Gary, and how his life and interest in astronomy evolved, the trials, tribulations and successes he faced at each stage.
There is also interesting, digestible information about how the stars, meteors etc got their names (again Greek mythology is not something I've ever got into so it has been good to have bitesize chunks of this!) . He guides you through different constellations and sections of the sky and encourages you to learn these and follow the patterns through the sky. I have found this beneficial as I then cross reference it with one of my kids books and it actually stays in my head rather than having to refer to sky apps etc.
So this is not the book I intended to buy the other day, but was drawn to its easy style. I bought it as I live in the NE and its always a delight to read of local areas.
Reading this book is like having a really enthusiastic friend at your side guiding you through the night sky and will be returning to it regularly.
I have been trying to get into astronomy for many years but have found the jargon complex, so my poor little brain has struggled . I bought a cheap telescope off the Internet a few years ago, and tried another book that had been recommended as great for beginners but it was still way too wordy. This is such an overwhelming topic and although everyone starts off a beginner I'm not sure authors always break it right down (although I have actually taken it back to kid level books and making better progress!)
I really like the way this book is split up.... The months are spilt into bi-monthly star mapping sections on what you will see at that time of year with comprehensive information on the constellations and planets that will (potentially) be seen. I shall return to these when they are relevant, so my aim was to get to the end of the book before the cejd of the month so I was ready for the Sept sky. Preceeding these are sections about Gary, and how his life and interest in astronomy evolved, the trials, tribulations and successes he faced at each stage.
There is also interesting, digestible information about how the stars, meteors etc got their names (again Greek mythology is not something I've ever got into so it has been good to have bitesize chunks of this!) . He guides you through different constellations and sections of the sky and encourages you to learn these and follow the patterns through the sky. I have found this beneficial as I then cross reference it with one of my kids books and it actually stays in my head rather than having to refer to sky apps etc.
So this is not the book I intended to buy the other day, but was drawn to its easy style. I bought it as I live in the NE and its always a delight to read of local areas.
Reading this book is like having a really enthusiastic friend at your side guiding you through the night sky and will be returning to it regularly.
August 11, 2023
A really interesting book from somebody with a humble background following his dream.
A North East lad( Mackem unfortunately lol) who has a love of Astronomy and the wonders of the universe. His drove him to build a small observatory at Washington Wildfowl park and then the famous one at Kielder where we are blessed with some of the best Dark Skies in Europe.
Gary tells his story in a simple form from his humble Sunderland background as a bricklayer and then on to his passion.
Thankfully Gary helps explain the universe in a simple and effective way,to such an extent,that even a beginner or novice,or indeed someone (like me) ,with only rudimentary scientific knowledge can follow quite easily. Which i believe was the purpose of the book.
I remember fondly the Carl Sagan Cosmos tv series and its book and this,likewise is well worth a read.
A North East lad( Mackem unfortunately lol) who has a love of Astronomy and the wonders of the universe. His drove him to build a small observatory at Washington Wildfowl park and then the famous one at Kielder where we are blessed with some of the best Dark Skies in Europe.
Gary tells his story in a simple form from his humble Sunderland background as a bricklayer and then on to his passion.
Thankfully Gary helps explain the universe in a simple and effective way,to such an extent,that even a beginner or novice,or indeed someone (like me) ,with only rudimentary scientific knowledge can follow quite easily. Which i believe was the purpose of the book.
I remember fondly the Carl Sagan Cosmos tv series and its book and this,likewise is well worth a read.
November 15, 2017
This book is written by a bricklayer turned founder and lead astronomer of Kielder Observatory. It is a very inspiring memoir style book, with anecdotes and personal stories which make it a touching book to read. Throughout are practical and ‘easy’ to understand sky guides which are encouraging to beginners and those just curious about astronomy.
Fildes writes in a very accessible way, and his passion is very clear. He is clearly very grateful of his life and has worked hard to get where he is.
I am very excited to hopefully be able to visit Kielder Observatory soon and see the sky for myself. Until I do, I will be looking up from wherever I am.
✨🌌💭
Fildes writes in a very accessible way, and his passion is very clear. He is clearly very grateful of his life and has worked hard to get where he is.
I am very excited to hopefully be able to visit Kielder Observatory soon and see the sky for myself. Until I do, I will be looking up from wherever I am.
✨🌌💭
November 3, 2017
It's a very inspirational book. Fildes tells the story of his life, while teaching us some valuable stuff about constellations. For each constellation he goes very much into detail about what you can see in that area of the sky.
Unfortunately, the constellation maps he shows don't show all the objects he talks about (although it is enough space to put them on the map too). Also, he often uses star names which he named differently on the map, which is very confusing, since you don't know which star he writes about. A list with all the names would have been helpful.
Unfortunately, the constellation maps he shows don't show all the objects he talks about (although it is enough space to put them on the map too). Also, he often uses star names which he named differently on the map, which is very confusing, since you don't know which star he writes about. A list with all the names would have been helpful.
March 29, 2018
Having spent an inspiring visit to Kielder Observatory, my wife bought me this book by the lead astronomer. It is an equally inspiring tale of how an amateur closet astronomer, who spent 25 years of his working life as a bricklayer, went on to lead the building of the UK’s leading public access dark skies observatory. Astronomy literally changed his life, and all that with no formal physics education. Part autobiography and part narrative of the UK’s skies, I have already bought my infrared torch and next book and am champing at the bit to learn more!
January 3, 2021
The author Gary Fildes enthusiasm is clear as he relates his passion for astronomy, touching briefly on his time as a bricklayer and leading to his foresight into the development and ongoing work at Filders Observatory. In addition to this each chapter includes a clearly explained section of the night sky star map, which even the most inexperienced reader would understand and perhaps encourage them to look up at night and discover the stars and their constellations themselves.
If you’re new, or want to start stargazing, this book will certainly help you on your way.
If you’re new, or want to start stargazing, this book will certainly help you on your way.
May 2, 2018
A very good introduction to astronomy. Fildes' enthusiasm is contagious and makes you want to get out there and see it all for yourself. A must-read for any budding astronomer. The only downside are the star charts next to the text. They are often incomplete, contain errors or are orientated differently from how they are described in the text. Read this book with a good star chart next to it or install Stellarium on your computer to accompany the text.
June 15, 2018
El libro An Astronomer's Tale es una efectiva guía para conocer nuestro lugar en la existencia y el universo que nos rodea. Combina dos aspectos:
1. una historia de éxito de un astrónomo que invirtió algo de tiempo como albañil de pared (bricklayer) antes de regresar al camino de su plenitud, y
2. Una guía de estrellas, constelaciones y otros objetos profundos del cielo.
3. Una lectura obligada a todo aquel que quiera iniciar como observador astronómico.
1. una historia de éxito de un astrónomo que invirtió algo de tiempo como albañil de pared (bricklayer) antes de regresar al camino de su plenitud, y
2. Una guía de estrellas, constelaciones y otros objetos profundos del cielo.
3. Una lectura obligada a todo aquel que quiera iniciar como observador astronómico.
May 20, 2017
Excellent, small autobiography of an amateur astronomer turned professional. It has a lot of content, a lot of enthusiasm for the science and a lot of information about Sunderland. A very quick read and much recommended to beginners in astronomy. I do feel sorry for Maureen, though; how quickly she and the boys vanished from the narrative, once the telescopes arrived.
January 1, 2018
I loved this! It's so good! It's perfect for anyone who has an interest in Astronomy - in specific Stargazing. Gary Fildes talks about his childhood and how he found his passion and love for Astronomy. The book also includes monthly 'Sky Guides' which features different star constellations which can be seen through the months. Once i got into it I thoroughly loved it!
100% would recommend :)
100% would recommend :)
May 8, 2020
Really great book for someone who amaze when look at the sky, and really want to get familliar with a basic and easy constellation here you are! Also a great inspiring story came from gary fildes who start his carrier as a bricklayer and end up become an astronomer at kielder observatory, Cant wait to see him in personal
October 27, 2020
The stark contrast between narrative alone made this book a fairly enjoyable read. From detailed chapters about star formations and planets, immediately followed by biographical segments documenting the author assaulting Chelsea fans in the 1980's was an entertaining juxtaposition of writing, albeit not what I was expecting with this book. Nonetheless I loved the perspective Fildes gives, in addition to his ability to open astronomy up to readers with minimal knowledge in the field. 'An Astronomer's Tale' is an inspiring and motivational insight into stargazing and following your dreams, no matter your age.
August 17, 2021
I’m a teacher, who has had to teach primary aged children about space and our place in the universe. This book was bought for me. I enjoyed the anecdotal parts of Gary Fildes’ life, a lot more than the “how to spot the stars in the night sky at different times of the year”, but that’s just me. I would heartily recommend this book to any star gazer who has felt alone with their obsession.
May 31, 2020
Fantastic introduction to stargazing from a North East bloke. Mixing the tale of childhood dreams, bricklaying and finally opening (personal opinion) the best observatory in the UK with great beginner understanding of astronomical study. Recommend this to EVERYONE.
March 27, 2018
This is a great book for those starting out in Astronomy. Gary's story is very interesting and reinforces the idea that if you want something badly enough, it's yours for the taking.
January 21, 2019
3.5 stars
April 18, 2020
Inspiring and magical. Fast read some of the detail about exact location points. Will definitely be visiting the Observatory and the others he mentions.
January 23, 2023
A good book for those who are in love with stars and planets. Literally, it helps you to learn and understand astronomy in brief via the author knowledge.
February 19, 2017
A fantastic introduction to the night sky. Inspirational. Interspersed with Gary Fildes' journey from a Sunderland brickie to setting up Kielder Observatory. Would write more but I have a night sky to check out. A great read !
September 4, 2016
I bought this from Kielder Observatory at one of their events. I went along with Dark Matter cafe and enjoyed a couple of talks, seeing the telescopes, and seeing some meteorites.
I don't think I would have enjoyed the book as much if I hadn't been to Kielder already. It's a quick read: full of good anecdotes and helpful analogies for explaining physics and astronomy concepts. I was already familiar with all the concepts explained but I think they were well-explained for beginners.
Best bit about the book: the bi-monthly star charts. they're going to be really useful for AstroSoc, especially as it's information for the skies of NE England.
I don't think I would have enjoyed the book as much if I hadn't been to Kielder already. It's a quick read: full of good anecdotes and helpful analogies for explaining physics and astronomy concepts. I was already familiar with all the concepts explained but I think they were well-explained for beginners.
Best bit about the book: the bi-monthly star charts. they're going to be really useful for AstroSoc, especially as it's information for the skies of NE England.
January 31, 2017
I've been bought lots of star guides before but always found them a bit daunting. This book's bimonthly guide to the skies (with step by step instructions on how to find constellations) is woven in to a story of a bricklayer from Sunderland who ends up building and running an observatory. Gary is a really likeable storyteller and his book is easy to read even if you don't know a lot about science -- everything is very well explained.
I really enjoyed reading Gary's funny, humble, inspiring and at times even poetic book and will definitely be dipping in and out of it to identify the stars whenever I get a chance.
I really enjoyed reading Gary's funny, humble, inspiring and at times even poetic book and will definitely be dipping in and out of it to identify the stars whenever I get a chance.
September 17, 2016
The synopsis has this as a coming out story of a bricklayer turned astronomer but within that there's another story of how times have changed in the public's perception of science and how Kielder is driving this forward. Gary Fildes' writing is honest, humorous and enthusiastic. Like all good scholars, his enthusiasm is contagious and leaves you wanting to get out to a dark sky site and looking up.
It is great then that there is a month by month guide to the night sky with key objects to be observed. These guides would be a great starting point, in particular to the binocular astronomer.
It is great then that there is a month by month guide to the night sky with key objects to be observed. These guides would be a great starting point, in particular to the binocular astronomer.
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