O'Meara's Messier book

matt · #1 15-03-2006, 12:43 PM

Anyone able to tell me whether there are any Oz vendors of Stephen James O'Meara's The Messier Objects or anyone got a copy they'd like to sell???

Thanks

Dennis · #2 15-03-2006, 01:08 PM

Hi Matt

I purchased a copy from Bintel a few years ago. I just looked at their website and they show it for $85.00.

https://www.bintelshop.com.au/welcome.htm

"The Messier Objects
O'Meara. The most widely observed objects in the sky. This book provides a fresh perspective on these famous objects. new drawings, new data, new charts. 304pp HC

$85.00"

It is a lovely book to browse and dip into, quite timeless in spite of the incredible advances in 'scopes and imaging since it was first published.

Cheers

Dennis

DougAdams · #3 15-03-2006, 01:14 PM

Yes, great book to sit down with and browse. His companion book on the Caldwall objects is just as good - I really like his story about what observing on the volcanos of Hawaii did to the optics.

matt · #4 15-03-2006, 02:30 PM

Thanks guys. I didn't even think to look at which books Bintel sell

Funny how you only think of some vendors as scope/ep/hardware merchants.

Gee, $85 seems fairly rich? Is that the best price out there?

I don't mind paying a reasonable price for quality resource material but do you think that's about the right $$$$

DougAdams · #5 15-03-2006, 03:34 PM

I think I paid about $60 from Technical Books in Melbourne, but that was years ago. If he came out with another one in the same format, I'd pay $85. If they have a fault, it's they provoke a profound sense of jealousy - observing from a dark sky site with a Televue, with his amazing eyesight.

matt · #6 15-03-2006, 04:09 PM

Cheers Doug

I guess it's not too bad a price when you consider the number of pages and colour plates?

It's probably a hardback too????

It's also not bad in light of the fact it is regarded as one of the definitive references of its type and carries such a wealth of personal material and thoughts by the author.

I can feel a purchase coming on. My coffee table's looking forward to a new visitor

Dennis · #7 15-03-2006, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

Cheers Doug
I guess it's not too bad a price when you consider the number of pages and colour plates?

It's probably a hardback too????)

Hi Matt

As I sit flicking through my (hardback) copy, reprinted 2001, it is only in 8 bit grayscale, not a drop of colour I'm afraid. There are 306 pages, on which all images are only in 2 colours, black and white with probably 255 shades of grey

.

Cheers

Dennis

matt · #8 15-03-2006, 04:57 PM

but you get all 255 shades of grey, right Dennis? All 255 shades!

You have counted them since last posting, right?

mickoking · #9 15-03-2006, 09:52 PM

$85 strewth. Telescopes are much cheaper nowadays but astronomy books are still astronomically priced. I quite often buy books from the States and usually it is quite a saving.

matt · #10 15-03-2006, 09:59 PM

might be looking closely at that option micko

Dennis · #11 15-03-2006, 10:55 PM

Hi Matt,

Careful with the postage, packaging and insurance costs – make sure you factor these in, as I often see quotes of between US $20 - 24.00.

I found that I only saved a significant amount if I was purchasing 3 or 4 books at the same time. When I looked into buying a single book, it was often cheaper to buy at the local Aussie price rather from the USA.

Cheers

Dennis

janoskiss (Steve H) · #12 15-03-2006, 11:22 PM

www.dadirect.com has the hardback version listed for $AU66.

anthony2302749 · #13 16-03-2006, 09:00 AM

Guy’s

Think outside the box, there are many things that you can spend $85 on, accommodation at a hotel, dinner, electrical goods, bills etc.

Why is it so hard to depart with $85 dollars for one book that will give you a lifetime of enjoyment and which would more then likely be handed down to your children so that they can enjoy the wonders of the night sky as well. I think that is $85 well spent.

matt · #14 16-03-2006, 12:42 PM

Err ..mmm...gee...thanks for that profound response Anthony...

It's not that it's hard to depart (sic) with the $$$$

In fact, if you look around various threads you'll discover that I'm quite content to invest heavily in this fabulous hobby. It's just that I've not had a chance to view this tome "in the flesh" to gauge it's value, to my relative way of thinking.

This thread was aimed primarily at discovering where I could actually buy the book? As a happy consequence i've also discovered where one might find it for sale at a more competitive price? My astro friends have also been kind enough to offer their opinions of the book.

I think you've dredged a little too deep on this one? IMHO

janoskiss (Steve H) · #15 16-03-2006, 01:35 PM

Well, I think Anthony makes a fair point, but I also think books are too expensive considering what they cost to produce. Many technical and academic textbooks can cost $100s.

matt · #16 16-03-2006, 03:08 PM

Absolutely. Some fair points.

Steve, I followed that link but could only find the Caldwell book?

janoskiss (Steve H) · #17 16-03-2006, 03:24 PM

Just type 'Messier objects' in the quick search box and hit enter. The 4th match is O'meara's book.

matt · #18 16-03-2006, 03:40 PM

OK. Now I know why I couldn't find it.

It's a different edition to the one for sale at Bintel. Different number of pages. Different title. While the Caldwell book by the same author has the same title on both websites.

Check it out Steve. Probably a different edition? Similar contents, but not the same books.

hard to tell on the DA Direct site without a pic

ThunderChild (Chris) · #19 16-03-2006, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

but you get all 255 shades of grey, right Dennis? All 255 shades!

You have counted them since last posting, right?

Actually, as long as black and white are not considered 'grey', then there should only be 254 shades of grey!!!
They're trying to con us!!!

matt · #20 16-03-2006, 03:54 PM

And I really wanted to believe I was getting 255!