Has anyone read "Deep Sky Observing: The Astronomical Tourist?"

Suzy · #1 31-05-2010, 12:36 AM

Hi everyone,
I'm interested in the book, "Deep Sky Observing: The Astronomical Tourist", by Steve Coe. It is part of Patrick Moore's "Practical Astronomy" Series. As it is an American book, I wonder how much of this book applies to our Southern Skies. Has anyone read this? If you have, could you please give me a review and tell me how applicable it is to our skies. Your input would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.booktopia.com.au/deep-sky...852336271.html

Suzy · #2 31-05-2010, 07:59 PM

Or the "Year Round Messier Marathon Field Guide", by HC Pennington?

MikeyB (Michael) · #3 31-05-2010, 10:54 PM

Hi, Suzy.

Did you know you can look these and any other books up on Amazon and usually find reviews by a range of readers (which in my experience often give useful pointers as to content, coverage, useability, etc)? For example:

Year Round Messier Marathon Field Guide

Prices (especially used), are usually better than local sources too, even with postage added.

Incidentally, as the Messier objects were named by a wholly Northern Hemisphere astronomer, there will certainly be some that are restricted/impossible from Australia. You're quite northerly where you are though, so you'll do better than those of us who live further South!

astroron (Ron) · #4 31-05-2010, 11:03 PM

Suzy, I have stayed with and observed with Steve Coe in Arazona quite a while back, with the 8" scope that is in my observatory

Steve has been to Queensland a few times in the past so maybe he would have included some Southern objects in his book

I have observed 103 Messier objects from Cambroon and four from Undara North Queensland, the other three M81 M82,and M40 will have to wait till I can get up to Darwin environs again.
There are quite a few books by southern based observers on the market, if the Southern Hemisphere is your focus

Suzy · #5 31-05-2010, 11:05 PM

Thankyou for that Michael. I have previewed and read what few reviews I could find, but they are all American sources. They are expensive books $70 -$100, so wanted a bit more input before I jumped in.

I'm basically after a book that will give me as many objects as possible applicable for our skies, and that will help to guide me to find things, explain interesting info on each object, a picture for each one, and some tips in deep sky observing in general.

Suzy · #6 31-05-2010, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astroron

Suzy, I have stayed with and observed with Steve Coe in Arazona quite a while back, with the 8" scope that is in my observatory

Steve has been to Queensland a few times in the past so maybe he would have included some Southern objects in his book

There are quite a few books by southern based observers on the market, if the Southern Hemisphere is your focus

Small world Ron! I have been looking and the only two books I've come across are these.

astroron (Ron) · #7 31-05-2010, 11:18 PM

Suzy, You have been Googled already

ChrisM · #8 31-05-2010, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzy

Thankyou for that Michael. I have previewed and read what few reviews I could find, but they are all American sources. They are expensive books $70 -$100, so wanted a bit more input before I jumped in.

I'm basically after a book that will give me as many objects as possible applicable for our skies, and that will help to guide me to find things, explain interesting info on each object, a picture for each one, and some tips in deep sky observing in general.

Hi Suzy,

I doubt whether you could find a better (value for money) book on the Messier objects than the "Atlas of the Messier Objects - Highlights of the Deep Sky" by Ronald Stoyan - published by Cambridge. I picked up a copy last year from Bintel (I think) for $80. It is a superb production with, for each object, typically a page or two of text covering the history, astrophysics and observation details. And then there is at least one large colour and/or B&W picture of each one. The book runs to over 350 pages and also includes a generous account of Messier himself, and a copy of his own oberservations. Plus there is more on his telescopes, what latitudes the objects are visible from, and suggested photographic techniques for each one.

So, after reading up on each one prior to (or even after) observing it, you "connect" with it quite differently to just ticking it off a list.

Chris

Suzy · #9 31-05-2010, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisM

Hi Suzy,

I doubt whether you could find a better (value for money) book on the Messier objects than the "Atlas of the Messier Objects - Highlights of the Deep Sky" by Ronald Stoyan - published by Cambridge. I picked up a copy last year from Bintel (I think) for $80. It is a superb production with, for each object, typically a page or two of text covering the history, astrophysics and observation details. And then there is at least one large colour and/or B&W picture of each one. The book runs to over 350 pages and also includes a generous account of Messier himself, and a copy of his own oberservations. Plus there is more on his telescopes, what latitudes the objects are visible from, and suggested photographic techniques for each one.

So, after reading up on each one prior to (or even after) observing it, you "connect" with it quite differently to just ticking it off a list.

Chris

Thankyou Chris. That book did certainly get my attention when I was looking at it on line. It's on my wish list. I agree with the "connect" factor - I w/pedia pics and stats of the objects I observe. And now am at the stage of wanted an easier reference point, like a book.

You said it covers photographic techniques on each one - does it cover much in the way of visual observing techniques for each one?

astroron (Ron) · #10 01-06-2010, 12:06 AM

Suzy, Try this site, the Books are much cheaper

http://www.bookdepository.com/search...&search=search

astroron (Ron) · #11 01-06-2010, 12:13 AM

Suzy, this is one book that is a great buy

http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9...-Left-at-Orion

Suzy · #12 01-06-2010, 12:18 AM

Thanks Ron, having a look at that site now. Looks good! If I now remember correctly, you & Liz get stuff from there? How long do they take to deliver? What's there service like?

Woah! Free shipping?! I'm getting hooked. Back to read some more.

astroron (Ron) · #13 01-06-2010, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzy

Thanks Ron, having a look at that site now. Looks good! If I now remember correctly, you & Liz get stuff from there? How long do they take to deliver? What's there service like?

Woah! Free shipping?! I'm getting hooked. Back to read some more.

Suzy, I got the Messier Atlas in about Two and a half weeks , but that was because of the Ash Cloud had closed all the UK airports, it is usually a lot quicker than that.
AU$52.00 to my Door, you can't beat that

Liz · #14 01-06-2010, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzy

Thanks Ron, having a look at that site now. Looks good! If I now remember correctly, you & Liz get stuff from there? How long do they take to deliver? What's there service like?

Woah! Free shipping?! I'm getting hooked. Back to read some more.

Yes, its a bit too good Suzy, I looove buying books. I bought that Astronimca book from there, and dont know how they did free shipping as was so heavy!! My latest book arrived 2 days ago "The Brightest Stars' by Fred Schaaf, andf looks very nice.
doesnt seem to take too long, but maybe 1-2 weeks??
Damn, now I'm looking at that book by Steve Coe too.

Suzy · #15 01-06-2010, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astroron

Suzy, this is one book that is a great buy

http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9...-Left-at-Orion

Ron, that was a really good preview, nice and lengthy. I like this book very much but am concerned with what I will be able to see here, as it is an American book

. There is a section for Sth/Hemisphere though I would think it would be fairly small.

Within this book I'm searching for, I'm also after information about finding objects, i.e. 2 deg n.e of blah blah. Followed by an explanation as to what to look for in fine details, i.e. look into Orion Neb and 3 deg to the right you will see wisps of dark blah blah (I made that bit up as an example). Followed by a history of the object and a picture. I enjoy looking for detail in objects and want to see as much as my eyes and telescope will allow.
I guess I'm not after a beginners book, I want some complexities to challenge me, but yet not be too difficult either. I'm wandering if the Turn Left at Orion book (as much as I am interested, and perhaps I may still get it) is a bit on the simple side.

sjastro · #16 01-06-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzy

Ron, that was a really good preview, nice and lengthy. I like this book very much but am concerned with what I will be able to see here, as it is an American book

. There is a section for Sth/Hemisphere though I would think it would be fairly small.

Within this book I'm searching for, I'm also after information about finding objects, i.e. 2 deg n.e of blah blah. Followed by an explanation as to what to look for in fine details, i.e. look into Orion Neb and 3 deg to the right you will see wisps of dark blah blah (I made that bit up as an example). Followed by a history of the object and a picture. I enjoy looking for detail in objects and want to see as much as my eyes and telescope will allow.
I guess I'm not after a beginners book, I want some complexities to challenge me, but yet not be too difficult either. I'm wandering if the Turn Left at Orion book (as much as I am interested, and perhaps I may still get it) is a bit on the simple side.

Suzy,

You should consider this http://www.willbell.com/handbook/nitesky.htm,
in particular Volume 3.

I'm suppose I'm biased as some of my images appear in the book.

Regards

Steven

renormalised (Carl) · #17 01-06-2010, 11:00 AM

Suzy, go here... fishpond

You could also try getting a copy of "Atlas of the Southern Night Sky" by Steve Massey and Steve Quirk. It's also at Fishpond.

Or for something more "portable", try "Stars and Planets" by Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion. It's just under the other book I mentioned, at Fishpond. I'd recommend it (considering I also have a copy of it

). It's very comprehensive and I think would suit your wish in wanting to have a challenge

Suzy · #18 01-06-2010, 11:07 AM

Thanks guys, looking into those books now.

astroron (Ron) · #19 01-06-2010, 11:12 AM

Suzy, that is a good suggestion by Steven

AU$41:00 to your door for the Southern Hemisphere virsion through the Book Depositary,Grab it

Suzy · #20 01-06-2010, 05:11 PM

I found what looks to be exactly what I'm looking for! "Deep Sky Companions: The Messier Objects", by Stephen James O'Meara. I was able to get a lengthy preview of it as well which was helpful. This book teaches you what to look for in the detail, info on the object, pic and sketch, what to expect to see from the eye piece, map for each one, how to sketch etc. And best of all he did all these obs using only a 4 " refractor! Which suits me perfectly as my scope is 6".

Here is a preview of it http://books.google.com.au/books?id=jis4evHuuzUC&dq=deep+sky+o bserving+books&printsec=frontcover& source=in&hl=en&ei=EokETOqtBcGXcaqz nfQE&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result& resnum=13&ved=0CFsQ6AEwDA#v=onepage &q=deep sky observing books&f=false

Also got "Atlas of the Messier Objects", by Ronald Stoyan. Thankyou Chris for your most helpful review on it for me.

Thankyou everyone for your help.

Also a big thankyou to Ron & Liz for putting me onto Book Depository! I joined up and bought the books from them - couldn't believe how cheap they are - it's ridiculous!! And no delivery fee - it's insane!! I saved $40 off the Messier Atlas book and $20 off the Deep Sky book.
And just to round things off to balance my life

I got "Stori Telling" by Tori Spelling

($12.87 compared to $30 I would pay here). Can't wait to read all her goss, and should I admit that I watched all three seasons of her reality show? & 10yrs worth of 90210. I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't be admitting all of that