Internationally known UK observer and astronomy author, Dr. English has owned, reviewed and written about telescopes of all genres over the last 20 years. He is the proud owner of a number of excellent refracting and reflecting telescopes, including a fine ShortTube 80 that he employs for general observing or for teasing out especially difficult double and multiple stars. 

Neil has been a regular contributor to the UK's bestselling astronomy magazine Astronomy Now for over 20 years.  He has also contributed to Astronomy Ireland's monthly magazine Astronomy & Space for nearly 20 years.  During his writing career, he has published several hundred articles. Neil is the author of the fully illustrated Guide to Mars, published by Pole Star Publications in 2003. One of his astrophotography images (a full-page image) appeared in the June 2006 issue of US Astronomy. He has contributed several detailed telescope reviews to Cloudy Nights. Neil's books for Springer include Choosing and Using a Refracting Telescope (2011), Choosing and Using a Dobsonian Telescope (2011), Classic Telescopes (2013), Grab 'n' Go Astronomy (2014), Space Telescopes (2016) and Chronicling the Golden Age of Astronomy (2018).

Neil currently lives with his wife and two sons in rural central Scotland.

Preface.- Acknowledgements.- Chapter 1 Under a Dark Sky.- Chapter 2 The Anatomy of a ShortTube 80.- Chapter 3 Mounting the ShortTube 80.- Chapter 4 Exploring the Deep Sky.- Chapter 5 Improving the High-Power Performance of the ShortTube 80.- Chapter 6 Watching the Sun.- Chapter 7 Exploring the Moon and the Planets.- Chapter 8 Realm of the Double Stars.- Chapter 9 A Computerized ShortTube 80; The ETX 80.- Chapter 10 Imaging with the ShortTube 80.- Chapter 11 Souping Up the ShortTube 80.- Chapter 12 Founding Days.- Chapter 13 The Little 'Scope that Could.- Index.