Other useful astronomical equipment - The first and most useful thing for an amateur astronomer to have is probably a Planisphere. This is a star map on a disk that can be adjusted to show you a map of of the night sky for a given time and date. They come in 5" and 12" diameter sizes, and can be ordered from any bookshop. There are also many books available, such as Star Atlases, almanacs and guides to the night sky for the coming year.

Also on the market is computer software such as Red Shift 3, which contains all the astronomical information you could ever need to know and many beautiful images as well.

The telescope featured in Final Frontier is an 8 inch refractor, an average amateur telescope.