Review: The Night Sky Observers Guide, Volumes 1-3

[iceman]

Patrick Kavanagh (Paddy) has written a thorough review of [bThe Night Sky Observers Guide, Volumes 1-3[/b].

You can read the review on the IceInSpace Equipment Reviews (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/reviews.html) page, or directly by clicking on the link below:

The Night Sky Observers Guide, Volumes 1-3 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/46-627-0-0-1-0.html)

Thanks to Paddy for writing the review.

If you'd like to contribute an article or review for IceInSpace, please have a read of Write For IceInSpace (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/write-for-iceinspace.html) and get in touch!

[iceman]

Review Uploaded.

[erick]

Well done, Paddy! I support your review 100% I have found this set of guides to be a great step up from the more basic guides I commenced with. I see them being useful for years for me.

There is only one thing missing - a high level index of constellations that covers all three volumes. So I made up my own and [UPDATE - have added it to next post]. It has eight columns and I have mine laminated into a double-sided 21cm x 23cm sheet.

The columns are:-
* Constellation # from 1 to 88, eg. 67
* Abbreviation, eg. PsA
* Name, eg. Pices Austrinus
* Genitive, eg. Pices Austrini
* English Name, eg. The Southern Fish
* Alpha Star name (if there is one), eg. Fomalhaut
* Volume, eg. 1
* Page, eg. 333

and two further entries giving volume and page number for the two Magellanic clouds.

[erick]

UPDATE - here is the guide, an excel file, attached in a zip file.

[barx1963]

Great review Paddy. Not that I needed it as I have already splashed the cash on 2 of the volumes. Having watched Paddy use his copies to great effect at a couple of Snake Valley camps, I can only back up what he writes.

[Suzy]

What a fantastic review Paddy!!!!
Thank you so much. :thanx:

I tried to buy this book but couldn't find it for sale. I'm guessing it's not printed anymore :question: :mad2:

[mithrandir]

Bintel usually have copies. The left six all came from there.

[erick]

I bought mine from Powells:-

http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780943396583-1

But I see it is on sale at many places, and cheaper than Powells, eg, directly from the publisher:-

http://www.willbell.com/handbook/nitesky.htm

If you can get free postage, then with the current exchange rate you may get all three for close to $100 - a bargain!

[Suzy]

Thanks Eric. :thumbsup:

I have just ordered Vol.3 The Southern Skies- from Powells. :D:D

I'll slowly build up the other volumes - they wanted postage on each
additional book :sadeyes: so it would have worked out a bit expensive.

Oooh, I can't wait to get it, I'm so excited! I just love observing books.:jump2:
Yikes, the postage cost me nearly as much as the book ($18.99 + Book $37.50= $56.49). But it's still good value- converted, it worked out to $54.50.

[Liz]

Think I bought mine from the US at quite good prices, but was a bit disappointed in the section on Crux. Lots of info on each constellation, but didnt mention the little carbon star ESB 365 (DY Crucis/Ruby Crucis).
This is quite a bright carbon star/variable and easy to see, so was surprised at this ommission. If the information is there, then its well hidden.
Dont use the set of books at all actually .... but then, I do have a lot of astronomy books, and just favour a few when observing.
These books are maybe suited to very experienced observer searching for mag 14 galaxies etc ..... alas, I havent seen a star/constellation for about 6 months, so do not count myself as such. ;)
Am sure these are a great set of books, but just dont suit me at the moment, maybe down the track, when I spend much more time under the night sky. :shrug:

[Liz]

Just found my receipt in the back of the book, and bought it at Powells too.
See how you like Suzy. As you know, I also LOVE observing books, but this one isnt a favourite, but you may love it. ;)

[erick]

You will find that, if you like Volume 3, you'll eventually have to buy Volumes 1 and 2 which include many constellations that are readily accessible for us. Vol 3 is really for the far south constellations (well, as far as the North Americans and Europeans are concerned). I use them to construct observing lists. They have photos or sketches of most objects so that you can compare what you are seeing through the eyepiece. But what am I doing, Paddy has already described all this!

[Suzy]

Yikes!
Thanks so much for the input Liz and Eric. :)

Eric from what you said, I'm going back to change my order to Volume 2. I hope they will accept the change (I only ordered a few hours ago and they should still be in beddy byes none the wiser) :question:.
Volume 3 didn't have Sagittarius or Scorpio and seems to have a lot more to offer me than Volume 3. I wished I'd seen the constellation listing on Vol.3 before I'd ordered.
Oh gosh, I do hope I'm up to at least the beginning skills for this book, otherwise I'll have to work my way up to it.

[erick]

Suzy

See my constellation listing in the attached file some posts back so you can see what is in which Volume.

Eccles :hi:

[Suzy]

Thanks Eric, but I re-visited the link you gave for Willmann Bell Inc book store and the constellations listings for each volume are given further down the page. I just didn't read it well enough. :rolleyes:
I figured I'd be better off with Volume 2 as we are now getting into the season for this book.

[[1ponders]]

Gee that looks exactly like part of my bookshelf. :lol:

A fantastic set of books, and not just for the visual user. I have found them very useful as a quick reference when researching for objects to image. I also use then as a guide when deciding on camera/scope combinations based on the information presented in the volumes.

[Gem]

How does this one compare with a book like Hartung's? Hartung's is one of my favourite books! It is always good to have a book written for the size scope you use. I found Hartung's (in the days when I was using a 10 inch dob) really useful.

[Paddy]

I haven't used Hartung's, but had a friend's copy of Burnham's on long loan at the same time as I started using the Night Sky Observer's Guide. There were many objects for which Burnham's had more detail, but I personally found the Night Sky Observer's Guide easier to use partly due to layout, the size of the book (ie larger format), the way the charts fit so well with the notes, the sketches and photographs etc.

[Suzy]

I just got delivery of my book today (Vol.2 Spring & Summer)! Such a big book- about the size of an encyclopedia.
I love this book- I wish there was an emoticon doing cartwheels!!
I like how the charts are broken up into what you can see visually in the sky and then another chart for the finder scope. Love how at the beginning of each constellation it gives a listing of interesting objects/stars/binocular targets, and lots of sketches of what to expect to see out of the fov of an eyepiece. And really really like how it doesn't waste half of the book explaining about planets, moons, eyepieces, yadda yadda yadda. Just get's straight to the point of observing. Also like the listing of what the object looks through different size scopes, though it gets rubbed in to ones face a bit when you read down to what he says about looking through a 16" on M104 for instance, quote "magnificent!" blah blah (all the details we 10"-ers miss out on and get teased with. :mad2: :lol: And it's actually good when he says "faint" in scopes of 14" or 16" I know not to bother trying to pick it up in my 10". It certainly gives me great guidance to what's do-able for the equipment I have. :D

It is a pretty intensive book and will be a good companion to my other observing books, which each in their own way provide me with different assistance.

For example:

(Hartungs for a quick go to reference and to get his report)

"The Messier Objects" by Stephen James O'Meara. This book teaches me how to observe, he really makes me think and to look harder. Very easy to comprehend.

"Stars and Planets" by Ian Ridpath & Wil Tirion. My absolute right hand at the scope, could never be without it. Easy glance of map on one page, and on the other page a listing of all the objects/spectral types of stars/astrophysics (how distant object is, magnitude etc). If I find something I don't know what it is- this book will quickly tell me. Shiny pages (which handles dampness outside well) and small enough to handle on my lap at the scope.

[Jen]

Yes Paddy got me loving these books too :D which i will have to add to my collection very soon :thumbsup:

[Derek Klepp]

These are great books especially for video astronomy as the pics are generally relative to what you see live onscreen through a 8"+ scope.As for visual observing I feel they are bias towards 12" + scopes. Still if you can afford them they offer another avenue to expand your viewing experience.I will often view a constellation with video then go back visually to see just what I can with the eyepiece often using the 3 to 5 star guide for the visuals.

[Gem]

Thanks Suzy for the insight into which books you use! Much appreciated!
I am looking to get another observation book, so your excitement is pushing me into action.
For myself at present, I use Sky Atlas 2000 and Hartungs to plan a night's list and find things. If I need to identify a strange object I pull out the comprehensive Herald-Bobroff Astroatlas (esp. for LMC). I also have a copy of NGC 2000 handy when planning.
Books! I love them and they DO help me to plan and find things! :)

[Jen]

:thumbsup::thumbsup: i finally went to an astro shop for the first time ever :D while i was in melbourne last week and i got the three of them woohoooo $250 later :rolleyes: :thumbsup: i love them :D
Mind you i was in there for nearly an hour chatting away to Chris he was a very nice bloke ;)

[troypiggo]

Looks like I've got the set coming for Christmas :D

[PCH]

That seems pricey Jen, the 3 Volumes are only $100 give or take a dollar from Amazon - plus about $20 postage. Where in Melbourne did you get them from? :thumbsup:

Edit: crikey Bintel at $79 each. Wow no wonder people buy online. Sorry Jen - don't mean to rub it in :thumbsup:

[troypiggo]

The postage isn't $20. It's closer to $100 for reasonable delivery. The cheaper postage (ie weeks) was still $50 I think.

[Suzy]

I got my book (Vol.2) from Powell's in the USA.
$37.50 US + $18.99 shipping ($8 per shipment + $10.99 per item fee)
Using "International Expedited" delivery (7-12 days).

Powell's Books (http://www.powells.com/info/shipping.html)
Shipping Info (http://www.powells.com/info/shipping.html)

Currently, $37.50 USD = $36.7215 AUD.

:xmas:

[Jen]

Yeah i looked online :rolleyes: but i didnt want to wait weeks for them :shrug:

[Liz]

You know, I must be the person on Earth not to be a big fan of this series of books, and I have the whole 3. Looooove astronomy books, and have heaps, but these didnt do it for me, didnt even have ESB 365 from memory. :shrug:

[erick]

Probably no "Dark Doodad" as well? Just checked - nope.

But I still like them.

[Liz]

Goodness, no ESB-365 or Dark Doodad, the books are duds. :D

[Gem]

I just received volume 3 as a late birthday present. It looks great! Exactly what I was after to complement Hartungs - especially now I have the 16". I just wish volume 2 was for the mid range constellations, rather than seasons of the northern hemisphere. I would love to have Sculptor, Fornax, Sag and Scorpius... ;)

[gaa_ian]

Great review Paddy, I would love to get into chasing some of the less obvious DSO's, & it looks like this book has got a great system for rating them too. I just have to stop doing Astronomy tours, public outreach & school astro night's long enough to go on a faint fuzzy hunt !

[Jen]

Does anyone know if these are available in PDF format I would love to have these on my iPad then I wouldn't have to worry about dew wrecking my books :D

[mithrandir]

Jen, there is no sign of a PDF version at the publishers web site.

[Jen]

Bugger :shrug: I wonder if I could scan it in PDF format myself :)

[Suzy]

Hi Jen,
Regarding the dew issue on books, I use a large plastic storage container turned on its side- makes a good little hutch for the laptop and books, pens etc. It doesn't address the issue of when the books are in use tho. The only book in use long enough for me as it has finder charts, is the Night Sky Observers Guide, so for that reason I came up with a makeshift protection for it which has been helpful. The page size is the same size as a clear plastic sleeve, so slit it down two sides & pop it over the page, same again for the facing page. See how that works for you. :)

[Jen]

Thanks Suzy I love these books so much but I don't use them as I don't want them to be ruined by the dreaded dew :shrug: I will give it a try not that this time of year dew isn't really a problem but its good to be prepared :D I was thinking of just putting a clear laminated sheet over the top that should work :)