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".
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
Suzy, thanks for the feedback and I will be interested in your assessment once you have it. I'll definitely have to try the same source!
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".
renormalised mentioned the book Stars and Planets by Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion.
I have a copy of this which I picked up in a second hand book shop () for $10.
Here is a sample page...
Hi again Molly. Uh oh, I just realised out of the 2 that Carl gave, i didn't look up that one (only the first one), woops. I'm very glad you went to the trouble of bringing that book to my attention.
No worries Suzy.
It has the constellations in alphabetical order and is quite easy to use when you want a ready reference for a quick observing session.
Molly, I take it it has both the Messier and NGC catalogues?
Never mind, I already ordered a book with the Messiers in it anway, was just curious. I have just ordered it from Book Depository. Only $20.87. Phew, that's 4 books in one day. That will do me for quite some time.
The Messier numbers 1 - 105 are listed in the index and about 200 ngc numbers are also listed in the index.
There's no proper catalogue as such though.
It has northern and southern hemisphere sky maps for each month of the year and moon maps as well.
I find it most useful in identifing the constellations and what each has to offer.
Suzy, the Galactic center is getting Higher every night, so by the time you get your books I would Have a look at my Planetarium program, see what Messier objects are there, make an observing plan,and in that plan include a few other objects that are in the area
Some of the Books that you have ordered I would not take outside observing unless I was in an observatory, as it wont take to long under dewy conditions for them to be ruined so that's where the observing program comes in
There are a lot more bright NGC objects than Messier objects, which by the way most Messier objects have NGC numbers.
Enjoy your books when you get them,and look forward to the observing reports of your efforts
Suzy, the Galactic center is getting Higher every night, so by the time you get your books I would Have a look at my Planetarium program, see what Messier objects are there, make an observing plan,and in that plan include a few other objects that are in the area
Some of the Books that you have ordered I would not take outside observing unless I was in an observatory, as it wont take to long under dewy conditions for them to be ruined so that's where the observing program comes in
There are a lot more bright NGC objects than Messier objects, which by the way most Messier objects have NGC numbers.
Enjoy your books when you get them,and look forward to the observing reports of your efforts
Thanks for that Ron. No, absolutely wouldn't dream of taking them outside. I've come across the dreaded dew. I make a plan for the night by printing off one map for one area only, I then highlight in different colours the categories of the objects, with arrows etc on the maps to help me star hop. I find the use of different colours very helpful, I highlight say globs in yellow, clusters in pink etc, so I can focus without confusion in the dark. I then write on the map some notes i.e. best height for viewing times and a brief description of the objects. I only concentrate on small areas- there are many constellations I've yet to explore. I then put them in a plastic sleeve, which goes in my observing folder (a nice firm solid one that balances well on my lap and light enough for me fling off (not a lever arch- they are too cumbersome, but a 2 ring A4 binder). If I feel like getting adventerous, I have other maps in my folder ready to go. My maps are then kept as a permanent record for future reference. Prior to that, I have wickepiedia'd info and printed out so I have the stats with my map, which adds to the awe factor of what I'm seeing. I then log my observations into my log book.
If I do need to take the books out with me, I have a covered plastic box by my side on a card table, that I put all my stuff into to protect, and I would pop the book in there and make sure I don't take longer than 10mts with it out of the box if there is dew around.
My problem so far has been with the Starry Nights software combined with the only two books I have with maps in them, I find objects that are in one book or software, but not in another. And so often, I have to carefully, mark it into my software map after printing. So hopefully these books I have just ordered will add to my sources of objects to look up, and if they wind up with more info than what I've been using so far, I will photocopy the maps from my new book and put inside the plastic sleeve, instead of using the computer programme. I also like the fact that with these books that I have ordered, all the stats and pics are in them as one reference point, instead of me having to google and print out each time.
I'm a stickler for anything stationery, pens and organisation. So doing this stuff is right up my alley. I really enjoy planning my sessions, as much as the sessions themselves.
If you have any further tips that can help me, I would welcome it.
As for viewing, there has been none of that for weeks (a good 3, I'd say) because of this horrible weather! We're lucky to get one good night a month (2 if lucky) in the last few months, and I don't think I'm exaggerating
Suzy, if you want a really great piece of software for planning and logging your observations, goto this site and download Astroplanner. It's an excellent piece of software and any amateur shouldn't be without it.
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 
so that's where the observing program comes in
