hartungs disappointment

Paddy (Patrick) · #1 17-01-2009, 06:06 PM

I decided to get a copy of "Hartung's astronomical objects for southern observers" from amazon, where I'd seen them advertised new for $135. I was shocked and disappointed to see that they only have one second hand copy for $399! Oh dear, just have to hope that it might one day be reprinted.

Quark (Trevor) · #2 17-01-2009, 07:23 PM

Bad luck Patrick,
It is a great book and I don't go observing, in my observatory or out in the field without it.

Burnhams Celestial Handbook is essential, I think, for anyone into visual observing. However if you observe in the southern hemisphere then Hartungs is simply a must have to add to your observing pleasure.

Keep trying
Regards
Trevor

lesbehrens (Les) · #3 17-01-2009, 07:49 PM

hi. try Angus and Robinson.
http://non-fiction.angusrobertson.co...54916#ajaxcart
i think i saw it there for $180. don't know if it was in stock thow.
les

Hagar (Doug) · #4 17-01-2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paddy

I decided to get a copy of "Hartung's astronomical objects for southern observers" from amazon, where I'd seen them advertised new for $135. I was shocked and disappointed to see that they only have one second hand copy for $399! Oh dear, just have to hope that it might one day be reprinted.

Patrick, You need to list your expression of desire with Melbourne University Press who actually own the rights to the book and up until just recently had it listed on their web site. If enough log an interest they may well do a reprint.

Ford Prefect (James) · #5 17-01-2009, 09:08 PM

Crikey, I'd better nick the one from my local library!

Sionnagh (Mick) · #6 17-01-2009, 10:17 PM

Keep an eye on places like ebay. I got my copy there for very cheap indeed. I forget how much but it would have definitely been less than $50.

;-)
Mick

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #7 18-01-2009, 02:52 AM

There was an extensive thread about the Hartung's book 2 years ago where several of us were trying to get a copy of it - even then it was out of print and near unobtainable:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...light=Hartungs

However miracles DO sometimes happen I'm pleased to say!

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...light=Hartungs

Best of luck, it is a great book indeed.

MrB (Simon) · #8 18-01-2009, 03:15 AM

I have the first version of this book, the '68 one, reprinted in '87.
Paid $6 for it at a second hand book store.
Never had a look at the 2nd version... it's the one with David Malin images isn't it?

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #9 18-01-2009, 03:36 AM

Yep that's right, it's a much updated and superior version, more of a reconstruction and rebuild rather than a reprint. The original is still a great book, the update is just so much more!

Rodstar (Rod) · #10 18-01-2009, 09:21 AM

Well speaking of books, the cost thereof, and Burnhams, I managed to pick up the three volume set of Burnhams on E-Bay this week for $20.51 plus postage. I would heartily recommend you keep an eye out for a bargain over the coming months, rather than spending $399 for Hartungs! Ouch!

taminga16 (Greg) · #11 18-01-2009, 10:21 AM

Patrick,
I found my copy on a clearance table at the local library, the bean counters had obviously been monitoring movements off the shelf and felt that it was taking up space that could have been better used on something else, I think that it was two dollars.
Regards,
Greg.

P.S. I hope to be in Maldon after the 27th and if your are interested the book is on the shelf a lot more than it is in my hand.

GrahamL · #12 18-01-2009, 12:19 PM

You would think they would consider a reprint of this one .. quite a lot of us have probably spotted a new copy here and there and ordered one .

University press would be getting quite a few steady enquires over the last few years .Maybe its just a dollar thing in that a minumum print run still makes it not worthwhile for them or that enquires aren't coming from other unis and schools so they don't see it as benefiting the education system as a whole .

they do pop up now and then but sure don't last long !

koputai (Jason) · #13 18-01-2009, 12:45 PM

I'd buy it if they reprinted.

Cheers,
Jason.

JethroB76 (Jeff) · #14 18-01-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koputai

I'd buy it if they reprinted.

Cheers,
Jason.

agree

pmrid (Peter) · #15 18-01-2009, 06:00 PM

I have a first edition if anyone is interested - that is the original version, not the new reworked job. Lacks the great frills of the new versions but still a good collector's piece.
Peter

Paddy (Patrick) · #16 18-01-2009, 08:25 PM

Thanks for all the responses! I followed up Les suggestion of Angus and Robertson and my wife is buying me a copy as a birthday present, so I am quite happy. Thanks also for the offers of loan and first edition, Taminga and Peter, much appreciated, but the book is now ordered.

Lismore Bloke (Paul) · #17 19-01-2009, 10:05 PM

I have a copy of the original 1968 edition and also the new one published by Melbourne University Press (revised edition 1995). Lucky to pick it up for $9.95 from the junk and oddment table of a newsagency who obviously didn't realise what a treasure they had. It is odd that it has not been reprinted, especially considering the high profile of the revisers.

GrahamL · #18 20-01-2009, 06:48 AM

Paddy let us know if you get one .. A lot of sellers list the tittle but when they go to order it find its not available.

Paddy (Patrick) · #19 20-01-2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightstalker

Paddy let us know if you get one .. A lot of sellers list the tittle but when they go to order it find its not available.

So far so good - I've received an email confirming my order and not one saying they haven't got it. They say it ships in 8 days. Further news as it comes to hand

glenc (Glen) · #20 22-01-2009, 05:25 AM

Attached is Hartungs list of 467 deep sky objects from the 1984 edition.
There are 139 galaxies, 104 globular clusters, 92 open clusters, 86 planetary nebulae and 41 nebulae.
The headings are: Catalog, Number, Type, Sub type, Constellation, Blue magnitude, Visual magnitude, Surface brightness, Maximum and Minimum size in arc-min, Southern season at 10pm, RA and declination (2000).
Messier numbers are given in the left column for 92 M objects with NGC numbers in the next column.