a wonderful observer's resource

Paddy (Patrick) · #1 18-11-2009, 01:47 PM

During the hours spent escaping the daytime VicSouth heat in the air conditioned dining room, a few of us were delighted to discover "the Night Sky Observer's Guide" volumes 1 & 3 (thanks to Phil from SA who generously left his copy around for us to peruse).

I was so impressed, I ordered it from Bintel on Monday and it arrived in time to play with last night. This is such a good book! Heaps of DSOs organised by constellation with very useful maps for finding them, great descriptions, sketches, photos, indications about how each will be for telescopes of different aperture. The volumes are for spring/summer, Autumn/Winter and Southern Sky. Easy to pick which volume you want for any session.

I had about an hour's observing with it, just binding a few of the many galaxies it lists for Tucanae (not a place that I usualy go galaxy hunting). The maps were so easy to use that I was finding them very quickly and then able to verify what I was seeing. I usually go out with quite an armful of books and atlases, but I get the feeling that I'm just going to need a volume or two of this book at any time.

This is such a great book and I think it will keep me going for many years. I am a very happy fellow.

Parkwood · #2 18-11-2009, 02:11 PM

Yep. They contain a lifetimes observational ideas but I tend to scan/photocopy the pages that are relevant to avoid lumbering around with too much baggage.

Do the same with all my charts too and stick them all in an A4 folder for the nights viewing and file them in my Observed folders when I am done.

tnott · #3 18-11-2009, 08:34 PM

Yes, these books were fantastic. I'll order the complete set too soon. Very well set out and goes much deeper than other guides I've seen.

I also like how they have ranked the objects in visual impact from one to 5 stars - like movie reviews! It helps when making a quick decision about which ones to hunt down.

I also like the may sketches and B&W photos. No silly Hubble colour shots that give a false impression of what you will see at the eyepiece.

This book really helped me to find about 40 objects that I had never seen on the second night of the camp.

AdrianF (Adrian) · #4 19-11-2009, 11:27 AM

A good price......
http://www.dymocks.com.au/ProductDet...=9780943396897

Adrian

Paddy (Patrick) · #5 19-11-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdrianF

A good price......
http://www.dymocks.com.au/ProductDet...=9780943396897

Adrian

It is a very good price. It doesn't say which volume, but as its cooper et al, I assume it's volume 3 on the Southern Sky. I think 1 & 2 are Kopple et al.

tnott · #6 02-12-2009, 10:11 AM

Just ordered the full set too!

Hope to use it next new moon.

Enchilada · #7 02-12-2009, 05:36 PM

Interesting

BinTel wants $A95.

Willimann-Bell (publishers) $US34.95+$US42.80 (postage) × ~1.100 = $A85.52 [Buy more books, it becomes much cheaper.]

Yet the US pay $US29.95 ($A32.95)

Thank the Australian Federal Government −10% GST and the rejection of introducing foreign competition. (A disgusting 62% gross margin against the Publisher's price!! (A 37% markup) - 65% @ $A95. (A 39% markup))

NOTE: As to Dymocks, the link below doesn't work!!

Lismore Bloke (Paul) · #8 03-12-2009, 08:10 AM

Thanks for the heads up on those titles Patrick. I was wondering how good they were.

What's the coverage of the southern hemisphere like?

Paddy (Patrick) · #9 03-12-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lismore Bloke

Thanks for the heads up on those titles Patrick. I was wondering how good they were.

What's the coverage of the southern hemisphere like?

Well, its excellent, because they commissioned southern hemisphere observers to do the third volume covering all the constellations that they don't see in the wrong hemisphere. One of the authors is Jenni Kaye who has done a lot of good stuff on the Magellanic Clouds. I spent some time with it going through the SMC last week and found it to be very easy to use - more so than my Morel atlases.

I reckon these books are the best thing I've bought since my telescope.

Lismore Bloke (Paul) · #10 03-12-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddy

Well, its excellent, because they commissioned southern hemisphere observers to do the third volume covering all the constellations that they don't see in the wrong hemisphere. One of the authors is Jenni Kaye who has done a lot of good stuff on the Magellanic Clouds. I spent some time with it going through the SMC last week and found it to be very easy to use - more so than my Morel atlases.

I reckon these books are the best thing I've bought since my telescope.

Great answer!!!

The only thing wrong with the answer is now I have to find the astro $$$$$$ for these after getting 5 Naglers in the last few months. Wish me luck......

Paddy (Patrick) · #11 03-12-2009, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lismore Bloke

Great answer!!!

The only thing wrong with the answer is now I have to find the astro $$$$$$ for these after getting 5 Naglers in the last few months. Wish me luck......

Yes, 5 naglers represents a considerable investment, but I reckon you'll find a way. At least you won't need volume 2 until well into 2010

Enchilada · #12 03-12-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddy

Well, its excellent, because they commissioned southern hemisphere observers to do the third volume covering all the constellations that they don't see in the wrong hemisphere. One of the authors is Jenni Kaye who has done a lot of good stuff on the Magellanic Clouds. I spent some time with it going through the SMC last week and found it to be very easy to use - more so than my Morel atlases.

I reckon these books are the best thing I've bought since my telescope.

Patrick,

I will be buying Vol.3 ASAP.

Q. What is the the coverage on the planetary nebulae like. I.e. NGC 3195 in Chamaeleon or He2-434 in Pavo?

Parkwood · #13 03-12-2009, 05:28 PM

NGC 3195 is covered by 4 observation reports ranging from a 12/14" scope up to 30" scope.

He2-434 has only one observation report. PN's are covered OK but dont expect a great deal of detail unless it is an impressive object.

Enchilada · #14 03-12-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enchilada

Thanks. All I need to know. I'll probably buy it today!

.

Make that Saturday! I had to wait at home all day for something else to be delivered! Bugger.

dannat (Daniel) · #15 04-12-2009, 07:08 PM

i don;t see it listed at dymocks..does someone have the ISBN?

mithrandir (Andrew) · #16 04-12-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannat

i don;t see it listed at dymocks..does someone have the ISBN?

The Night Sky Observer's Guide : Vol. 1
ISBN-10: 0943396581
ISBN-13: 978-0943396583

The Night Sky Observer's Guide : Vol. 2
ISBN-10: 0943396603
ISBN-13: 978-0943396606

The Night Sky Observer's Guide : Vol. 3
ISBN-10: 0943396891
ISBN-13: 978-0943396897

Enchilada · #17 04-12-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parkwood

NGC 3195 is covered by 4 observation reports ranging from a 12/14" scope up to 30" scope.

He2-434 has only one observation report. PN's are covered OK but dont expect a great deal of detail unless it is an impressive object.

Thanks. All I need to know. I'll probably buy it today! .

Enchilada · #18 04-12-2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enchilada

Thanks. All I need to know. I'll probably buy it today! .

Make that Saturday! I had to wait at home all day for something else to be delivered! Bugger.

Enchilada · #19 04-12-2009, 11:54 PM

Is this new publication the first to cover the entire southern hemisphere?

astro744 · #20 07-12-2009, 11:21 AM

A list of constellations covered by each volume and background to how Volume 3 came about can be found at:

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