Creating images of colorful nebula, beautiful spiral galaxies, and the rings of Saturn were once only possible through large telescopes at professional observatories. But advances in computer-controlled telescope design and processing software make it possible for amateur backyard astronomers to see and photograph these amazing objects surrounding us in the night sky.

Backyard Universe follows my journey to discover and photograph the night sky from my backyard. It contains 82 pages full of large, high-resolution color images of over 50 astronomical objects – nebula, galaxies, and planets -- as well as detailed images and descriptions of the telescopes, cameras, and software used to create them. And it includes information on how you can get started exploring and photographing the wonders of the night sky from your backyard.