It is important to get good quality equipment that does the job for you -- that much is obvious. However, it is also important to get equipment that makes observing easy and pleasant to do. If your equipment is awkward and difficult, you will most likely give up in frustration or lose interest. Variable star observing should be fun!!

Paper and ink have enabled the first edition of the Observer’s Handbook to survive for more than a century, and digital technology now makes it accessible to anyone.