Observing handbooks

[Dobman (Simon)]

Can anyone out there reccommend a good observing guide book for DSO,s that has more than just charts? I already have "The Southern Sky Guide"(Ellyard & Tirion) which i find very useful for finding my way around the sky but I'd like something that also has pictures of what you're looking at and some info like distance, no. of stars, age, size etc. I'd like to compare what I've seen in the EP to real pictures and I think it would make it easier to orientate myself when looking at large objects with many different things to look at like M42 or the area around Carina
If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them. Knowing you lot, I'll probably be inundated!!

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Stars and Planets by Ian Ridpath will have much of what you are after. It goes a little less deep than The S. Sky Guide (mag 6 stars), but it has separate notes and charts for all the constellations, and a few extra entries on especially rich areas of the sky. Quite a lot of colour photos of DSOs too. And it's a bargain. I picked the 2nd edition at a bookshop sale for $8. I saw the 3rd edition at Bintel Melbourne for ??.

[Miaplacidus (Brian)]

Hi Simon,

Perhaps not quite what you had in mind, but I think Hartung's Objects for Southern Telescopes is as essential a text for AAs as I can imagine. I've made up some charts to go with it (most suitable for someone with a GOTO or DSCs, I have to admit, but if you're ever in Hobart let me know and I'll show you what I mean).

Cheers,

Brian.

[astro_south (Andrew)]

I will second Hartung's book (I have the 2nd Edition). It is great at highlighting what is visible in each constellation and it gives you a feel for what you can expect to see through the eyepiece. It really is indespensible and a must for any observer.

I have also found O'Meara's Deep Sky Companion series (Messier and Caldwell) are a good read and provide some great background information on a number of objects.

[lost_in_space]

I just found and ordered it on Amazon for US$76.00 + $9 freight, compared to AU$275 from Angus and Robertson. Gotta be a bargain!

[johnno]

Hi All,
The HARTUNGS book is listed at BINTEL for $87.00.
Regards.
John

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Burnham's celestial handbook. All B+W but I love em.

[lost_in_space]

Originally Posted by johnno

Hi All,
The HARTUNGS book is listed at BINTEL for $87.00.
Regards.
John

Bugga!

[mickoking]

Hartung's and Burnhams are my two faves.

[dhumpie]

I got Hartung's for X-Mas Cost the wifey $87 from Dymock's. And I second astro_south's recommendation for O'Meara's Deep Sky Companion's (I have both books). I also like Scotty Houston's Deep Sky Wonder's and Phil Harrington's SkyWatch although that is a more basic book.

Darren