Atlas of the Southern Night Sky

[erick]

Just got my copy. $45 (less 10% as an Australian S&T subscriber). Good size book. Lots of colour and explanations for a newbie like me. I'll have a read and comment - but there's a good review in last Australian Sky & Telescope which prompted me to buy it.

[NQLD_Newby]

Congrats Eric, I've seen this book a few times in the local book shops, but haven't had the time to stop and have a good look at it. Look forward to hearing your personal views about its content. After you've had time to read it of coarse. I've got that copy of S&T but didn't see the review. I'll have to have another look.

[erick]

Yep! In Sept/Oct issues, I'm sure. Fred Watson's intro to the book is a hoot - one of the best intros I've read!

[jjjnettie]

I have his "The Night Sky" and always recommend it to new comers.
I must put aside the pennies and get this one too.

[erick]

I'm in the middle of the constellations now. Really pleased that the constellation stories don't seem to exceed 2 lines. I'm interested in what is there, not the man-made history.

(Jeanette - Fred just does the introduction - one page. Not sure which "The Night Sky" you mean? Sorry.)

[iceman]

I saw this book in Dymocks on the weekend, it looks great.

Well done Steve's Massey and Quirk!

[taminga16]

Erick, the book that Jeanette mentioned is another of Steve Massey's works covering observations of solar system objects, I will drop my copy over when we next catch up.
Regards Greg.

[erick]

Many thanks Greg. :thumbsup:

[erick]

Finished reading last night. In my humble opinion, this is a very good book. For a more educated review, see the Sep/Oct issue of Australian Sky & Telescope.

To set the scene, I use "Astronomy 2007" and "The Southern Sky Guide", Star Charts from AstroVisuals, Stellarium and other planetarium software along with a number of somewhat more "coffee table" sky and constellation description books.

First of all, thinking of a dewy night under the stars, the materials the book is made from seem to be good quality and it doesn't feel like it will suck up every drop of moisture in the vicinity!

There's an introductory section of around 26 pages, then maps covering some 172 pages, then sections on The Solar System, Tools for Observing, Astro-imaging covering some 66 pages, then Glossary, References and Further Reading, About the Authors, and Index. Two indexes - one by constellation, naming major objects, and on general index.

It's right up to date - the comet section includes a photo of Comet McNaught C/2006 P1 in southern skies. Pluto is not a planet. There is just enough Astronomy science for the reader who is learning the field.

81 Constellation maps are presented. Those too far north to be observed from the upper/mid southern hemisphere are not present. Descriptions, and often images, of the key targets in each Constellation are given. RA, declination, magnitudes, angular extension, distance are usually all given for each. A few additional possible targets are listed. Mention is made if a target really requires a "big" scope. I particularly like the minimal approach taken to explaining the name of the constellation and its history - typically less than three lines.

It has been commented that it's odd to have the maps in the middle of the book, but it's a good idea - they are therefore spread around the centre page so the book lies fairly flat when you are using them, rather then be struggling with the end or beginning pages that don't lie as flat.

I've only had one evening under the stars with this book, but it worked well. With its help, I quickly located four globulars in Sagittarius that I hadn't seen before (well, I hadn't even looked for them before I saw this map).

Spotted one problem, The top left headings of the constellations that one would usually use to locate the constellation of interest (alphabetical order) are printed in red and vanish under redlight, but are repeated in blue on the skymap for each constellation, so that can be used instead.

Colour COLOUR! The book is full of colour in the illustrations, images, graphics etc. Perhaps, more mention could have been made that what is seen, at the eyepiece, of nebula and galaxies will not show the colour in the images - but I would imagine that the observer who is using this book would already be advanced enough to know that.

This could be a beginner's book, but is probably more for the intermediate observer. I can see it being a great companion for me for years ahead, given I'm just starting to emerge from absolute beginner status (perhaps!). But I think I'll keep my detailed star maps and moon maps with me when I'm out - just in case - but they mightn't have to come out much.

I think a planisphere is still needed - the sky views on page 39 make a good attempt - but, in my opinion, a beginner needs an exact view of what is in front of her/his eyes at any time - a few views that may be some hours different, cannot fulfill that need in the way that a planisphere can.

At $45, with a 10% discount to Oz S&T subscribers ordering through Oz S&T and free postage, it's a great price.

I happily recommend it! :2thumbs:

ps. I'm an Oz S&T subscriber, otherwise I'm not connected to the authors or publishers, or book sellers, or printers, or illustrators etc. etc. ;)

[NQLD_Newby]

Excellent report Eric.

Sounds like a really worthwhile purchase. I would be particularly interested in the constellation index naming major objects in each. I have been downloading constellation tours from the melbourne planetarium website, but they are generally for bino's and some of the dimmer objects are missing, but still lots of fun. This book sounds like, among other things,that it would be a great extention of that. Thanks for the info, its always good to hear someones personal opinion rather than a review that has perhaps been paid for, if you know what I mean. Thanks again.

[manny]

I received this book for father's day and being a newbie myself I thought the quality was excellent and information was easy to understand . Haven't taken it under the stars yet been raining in Bundy.But looking forward to using the maps and finding as yet unseen objects.

Manny

[Greg Bryant]

Hi Eric,

Just regarding the postage - Australian Sky & Telescope doesn't charge postage on orders of $30 and above, so you shouldn't have been charged. If you were, please contact our office.

Regards

[Portmac]

"She who must be obeyed" surprised me the other day by buying me this book when she was out shopping :)
So far I am about half way through it and it is a very good read, lots of eye candy and information.

But I am a little concerned as to why the wife actually bought it, normally just mentioning astronomy makes her groan "how much now"

[erick]

Thanks Greg

What a blunder!!! I'm sorry. :ashamed: Yes indeed, everyone, postage was free. I've edited my original post to reflect this.

Wonder why I thought I paid postage? I did buy another couple of items in the same order, so the total price I paid didn't give me a hint when I looked at it. It must be all the other bits and pieces I've been buying recently from Australian and overseas suppliers and IIS members - I have postage on the brain! :doh:

Eric

[Astroman]

I bought mine from Big W for a whopping $34.95 Great value, but the constellation names are hard to read under red light :)

[erick]

Bit hard to locate this book now. Stock running down? I wanted a copy as a present and searched around bookshops and local telescope shops. I wanted to pick it up. No stock to hand.

Finally bought it from fishpond.com.au which, strangely enough doesn't sell fishponds, but rather sells books. $39.95 (cf rrp $45) and if you can get over $50 then free shipping. I tossed in Phil Plait's "Bad Astronomy" for an extra $26.95.

(Oooh! I just checked the site - gone up to $40.24, and "Bad Astronomy" to $27.55.)

[Quark]

Hi Eric,

I wholeheartedly agree with your review of this book, so many astro publications originate from the Northern Hemisphere and I think we should support good home grown material such as this.

On this same note and as you get more experience observing, I would highly commend to you The Herald Bobroff Astro Atlas, another home grown effort that is simply the best atlas available anywhere in the world.
It takes a bit of getting use to but is unique insomuch as it presents regions of the sky that are heavily populated, in ever increasing detail.

The whole sky is presented at a scale similar to Will Tirons Sky Atlas but then there are about 5 higher resolution series of maps for regions such as Virgo and Leo, where there is just to much to present at just one scale.

With the Herald Bobroff, you can start on the edge of the Virgo cluster and confidently star hop from galaxy to galaxy and positively identify them.

There are many other stunning features that include a full series of maps that show the stellar magnitudes so that you can accurately compare the seeing from night to night and site to site.

Probably way to much information for a novice but truly indispensable for the experienced observer.

Regards
Trevor

[erick]

I see people looking for copies of this Atlas, Trevor.

On the http://www.heraldbobroff.com/ (= http://www.lymax.com/hbaa/ ) site, I read:-

"The Atlas is temporarily out of stock. Sorry for any inconvenience."

Seems like the original 1994 version is preferable to the US-reprinted early 2000's edition?

http://www.boulderastro.org/article_astroatlas.html

[JethroB76]

The Herald Bobroff atlas is as hard to find as Hartungs

[BerrieK]

I bought myself the Atlas of the Southern Sky whilst trawling through bookshops in Tweed Heads last Jan.

As a real newby/beginner I have found it to be very useful and educational with lots of simple info and tips along with the atlas, and love the colour pics in it. I agree with Erick in that a planisphere is still required for newbs like me!

My kids (6 and 9 year olds) also love leafing through it but get a bit disappointed when I tell them that heaps of the DSOs wont be more than a smudge on our 8" f/5 Newt. It has even been to school for a few 'news' visits.

[bobson]

I got this book for Fathers day, its great, nice pics and a lot of good tips. Kids also love it, its very educational.

cheers

bob

[[1ponders]]

If your looking for the Atlas of the Southern Night Sky have you tried Steve Massey at Myastroshop (http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/details.asp?id=MAS-001C)

I got mine from Big W :P

[renormalised]

Own a copy....very good book. Good read and well put together.

[erick]

Yes, I did check. $57 including postage. I preferred the $40 price tag and free shipping.

[MrB]

I'll echo that.
Have the '94 version.
Love how the LMC region has maps that just get tighter and tighter 'till you get to F01-F04 and the region almost looks empty!

Also love the two-page HB maps that featured each month in the old SouthernSky magazine(RIP) from '94-'95.

[[1ponders]]

I would too Eric, my point was that if people are having trouble finding a copy then they can always go to the author...and maybe even get it signed. ;)

[Ford Prefect]

If you're still looking for AotSNS, try the ABC Shop. It was on their website/online store back in November.

[erick]

No stock in the downtown Melbourne store.

Once I got to having to order, I decided to go online for the cheapest supplier.

[JethroB76]

I have just read on CN thread from last week where a response was received, to an email enquiry, from the publishers and that they intend to do a reprint of the Herald Bobroff Atlas..lets hope so

[Stuart78]

I bought this book just after i purchased my, it is my sky bible,Great maps with explanations and photos of individual objects to find, a big thank you to Steve Massey and Steve Quirk for such a great publication, awesome stuff...:thumbsup:







Stuart>>

[Spanrz]

I'm sure you can buy it from the Bintel Shop in Camberwell.

Was there the other week, there were 2 books pointed out to me, this one in particular and another book (atlas) with lesser colour pics etc.
The manager said he was the proof reader for the book. Said it was a great book well worth the money and a nice "birthday" pressie, if they wife got the gist! Haha.

EDIT: Sorry, I messed up, the book I was referring to was "Atlas of the Messier Objects". Pretty sure that's what I seen at the store.