Review: The Night Sky Observers Guide, Volumes 1-3 - Page 2

Derek Klepp · #21 14-06-2011, 09:53 PM

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 (Grant) · #22 15-06-2011, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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!!

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 · #23 01-11-2011, 02:45 AM

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

troypiggo (Troy) · #24 04-12-2011, 03:04 PM

Looks like I've got the set coming for Christmas

PCH (Paul) · #25 04-12-2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen

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

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?

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

troypiggo (Troy) · #26 04-12-2011, 06:03 PM

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

Suzy · #27 05-12-2011, 01:39 AM

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
Shipping Info

Currently, $37.50 USD = $36.7215 AUD.

Jen · #28 05-12-2011, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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

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

Liz · #29 06-12-2011, 07:34 PM

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.

erick (Eric) · #30 07-12-2011, 01:17 PM

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

But I still like them.

Liz · #31 07-12-2011, 05:06 PM

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

Gem (Grant) · #32 17-09-2012, 10:39 PM

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 (Ian) · #33 17-09-2012, 11:11 PM

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 · #34 08-12-2012, 11:16 AM

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

mithrandir (Andrew) · #35 08-12-2012, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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

Jen · #36 08-12-2012, 10:16 PM

Bugger I wonder if I could scan it in PDF format myself

Suzy · #37 09-12-2012, 11:41 AM

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 · #38 09-12-2012, 11:56 AM

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 I will give it a try not that this time of year dew isn't really a problem but its good to be prepared I was thinking of just putting a clear laminated sheet over the top that should work