Is Sue French's book "Celestial Sampler" useful for Southern Hemisphere observing?

[C8er (Chris)]

Hi,

I have seen recommendations for the book "Celestial Sampler, 60 small-scope tours for starlit nights" by Sue French, but the recommendations came from Northern Hemisphere people, and I was wondering if anyone here knows the book and knows whether it is of much use for a southern hemisphere (New Zealand) beginner observer?

Cheers.

[andyc (Andy)]

I have her "Deep Sky Wonders" book, which is gorgeous and very informative, lots of great wee 'tours' of small chunks of sky, including unusual sights, but it rarely goes below about 35deg S. Her tours are conducted from her observing site in upstate New York, so the most southerly tours are Puppis, Corvus, Scorpius, Sagittarius, Sculptor (quite a few nice Sco/Sag tours). Obviously there's a fair few Ursa Major, Cassiopeia, Perseus, Cepheus tours that are not do-able from southerly latitudes, but also lots in the middle that are fine. So maybe 2/3 or 3/4 of the tours in Deep Sky Wonders can be done from 35-40 deg S. I would guess that her other books would be written from the same location, so would cover the same parts of sky? But I don't know for sure!

[SteveInNZ]

I have it and would recommend it for us downunder folks too. There's a table that summarizes the things in each section of text. I just glance through that and check that the Dec is less than say 40 and adjust my expectations accordingly.

Steve.

[C8er (Chris)]

Thanks very much for those helpful replies Andy and Steve. I'm at about 37.5 deg S and also regularly observe from a different spot at around 38.7 deg S.

I will go ahead and order the Celestial Sampler book, and might look at the Deep Sky Wonders book later as well.

Cheers,
Chris

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

I have both and they are both excellent books. Deep Sky Wonders is thicker and better presented, but I have found both useful for southern observers.

Malcolm

[goober (Doug)]

Originally Posted by C8er

Hi,

I have seen recommendations for the book "Celestial Sampler, 60 small-scope tours for starlit nights" by Sue French, but the recommendations came from Northern Hemisphere people, and I was wondering if anyone here knows the book and knows whether it is of much use for a southern hemisphere (New Zealand) beginner observer?

Cheers.

I own it, and it is a nice book. I'd estimate two thirds of the objects would be within range of NZ.

Sue writes very well, and is a terrific person to chat with. I'm not sure if she still does this, but she used to encourage observing feedback, and always replied to my reports.

[C8er (Chris)]

Thanks Malcolm and Doug. I have ordered it online and it started the shipping journey here from the US yesterday. I might suggest Deep Sky Wonders as a possible Xmas pressie from my wife.

Cheers,
Chris