Product Description

The Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers is a unique and valuable resource for historians and astronomers alike. The two volumes include approximately 1550 biographical sketches on astronomers from antiquity to modern times. It is the collective work of about 400 authors edited by an editorial board of 9 historians and astronomers, and provides additional details on the nature of an entry and some summary statistics on the content of entries. This new reference provides biographical information on astronomers and cosmologists by utilizing contemporary historical scholarship.

Individual entries vary from 100 to 1500 words, including the likes of the superluminaries such as Newton and Einstein, as well as lesser-known astronomers like Galileo’s acolyte, Mario Guiducci.

A comprehensive contributor index helps researchers to identify the authors of important scientific topics and treatises.

Product Description
A biography profiling the life of Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei, who shared the beliefs of the controversial astronomer Copernicus that the Earth revolved around the sun. Eventually Galielo was found guilty of heresy by the Roman Catholic Church, and forced to live under house arrest for the final years of his life. Includes source notes and timeline. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Disagree with Mladen K. Vranjican's review
I totally disagree with Mladen K. Vranjican's review "- Page 127, line3. The book incorrectly relates R. J. Lurie's work with that of J. L. Houghton."
I don't have a copy of Lurie's paper (Journal of the Optical Society of America, March 1975, p. 261), but I have an article named "Gleanings for ATM's--Making an Aplanatic 4-inch Telescope" on Sky & Telescope Nov. 1979 issue. It mentioned Lurie's great thought in his paper:
"In Example IV [of U.S. Patent No.2350,112, May 30, 1944] J.L.Houghton presents a design for an aplanatic system that consists of a two-element afocal corrector at the optical focus of a spherical mirror. The corrector...is shown made of glasses that have different refractive indices. However, such a corrector can be designed using the same glass type for both elements. This aplanat has interesting properties. Like the Wright telescope...its tube length is equal to its focal length. However, its astigmatism is only half that of the Wright telescope, and its surfaces are all spherical. The image surface of best focus has the same curvature as the mirror."

So, Mr. Lurie not only invented the aspheric (conic-section) mirror type as Mladen K. Vranjican said in the review, but also footnoted the telescope with all spherical and same glass, just what we called 'Lurie-Houghton' now a days. Mr. Lurie ofcouse should own the honor for the name together with Houghton. What Houghton invented is using different glass and it is the source of Lurie-Houghton telescope.

Manual is more comprehensive than accessible
There was a time once when amateur astronomers had exposure to only a few different kinds of telescopes--mostly simple achromatic refractors, which comprise just two lenses cemented together (plus an eyepiece), and Newtonian reflectors, which include a mirror plus the eyepiece.Many, possibly most, of these amateurs also made their own optics, and as a result, they knew most of what there was to know about these designs.

Nowadays, it's quite different.Not only are there vastly more types of telescopes, but most amateurs now buy telescopes; telescope building is a diminishing part of amateur astronomy, and people make their own telescopes out of desire, not necessity.It's harder than ever now for amateurs to really know about optical designs in breadth and depth.

Into this breach step Rutten and van Venrooij, two Dutch astronomers who wanted to know more about optics but found that resources were generally unavailable to amateurs.So, they wrote their own.Telescope Optics is a compendium of optical information, geared to the intermediate to advanced amateur.Like Gaul, it can be divided into three parts: Chapters 1 through 4 discuss optical principles; Chapters 5 through 16 apply those principles to various telescope and accessory designs; and Chapters 17 through 22 cover evaluation and design.

The manner of the text is generally scholarly but informal.Although optical principles are explained from the fundamentals, the authors still assume a certain level of comfort with high school mathematics and analytical exposition.In particular, it helps if the reader can easily digest information in two-dimensional graphs.This can make the book somewhat imposing for those readers who really just want to know, at a high level, what makes their own telescope tick.

For those readers capable of making their way through the analysis, however, the authors clearly and comprehensively explain the workings of several telescope and camera designs, and discuss in brief the quirks of at least half a dozen more.The compromises of each design are detailed to the level of so-called "third-order aberrations"; these include coma, astigmatism, field curvature, spherical aberration, and distortion.

The authors also make available their own design software.Being 15 years down the line, the software is somewhat out of date, and it does not come free with the book; it must be purchased separately.The book does explain how to use the software, though.

Overall, the book should find its way onto the shelf of anyone who wants to learn, seriously, about their optics.For those who simply want a taste of how optics work, or who need a gentle introduction to the field, it probably ought to wait until later.

Excellent manual for beginners and advanced amateurs
Telescope Optics is a comprehensive, educational and practical manual for beginners and advanced amateur opticians and astronomers. It is probably one of the best overall sources of information on basic optics, optical instruments and their prformance. The book comes with a DOS-based computer program that allows users to design their own systems and evaluate theoretical or existing optical configurations.Telescope Optics fills the gap between simple amateur telescope and optics manuals and professional literature. The book is due for a second edition, as well as an upgraded optical design and analysis program suitable for Windows-driven computer environment.Although Telescope Optics came with some errata sheets, the book has notable omissions and errors, summarized below.- Page 5, line 19. No mention is made of either F. B. Wright (1935) or Y. Väisälä (1936), whose modifications to the original Schmidt camera design resulted in more compact, flat-field instruments suitable for visual as well as photographic work.- Page 88, line 5. Credit is given to K. Slevogt (October, 1942) for developing a modification to the famous Baker camera. His work was preceeded, however, by C. R. Burch (April, 1942) in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (Vol. 102, No. 3, "Design of Approximately Flat-fielded System, with Two Spherical Mirrors and One Plate").- Page 127, line3. The book incorrectly relates R. J. Lurie's work with that of J. L. Houghton. Houghton (U.S. Patent No 2,350,112, May 30, 1944) proposed a two-element all-spherical corrector used in conjunction with a spherical mirror for a Newtonian-like configuration. The system is aplanatic (free of coma and spherical aberration). Lurie (Journal of the Optical Society of America, March 1975, p. 261) proposes two-element all-spherical correctors in conjunction with aspheric (conic-section) mirrors resulting in a fully systems that are fully anastigmatic - free of coma, spherical aberration and astigmatism. The two systems are not interchangable and only bear superficial resemblence. The value of Lurie's configurations is in superior optical performance, which in all aspects except distortion rival that of a true Schmidt camera, and in the applicability of converting smaller Newtonian configurations into first-class astrographs.- Page 145, Section 14.4, the book omits to mention that Ross-type correctors can be used in conjunction with hyperboloidal primary mirrors, resulting in anastigmatic flat-field astrographs (offered by Takahashi of Japan). Since full-aperture correctors are not practical for large Newtonian-like configurations, vast number of amateurs with telescopes larger than 10-inches in diameter could convert their instruments to high quality astrocameras. Suitable correctors, other than the Ross, have also been investigated and implemented on existing observatory Newtonian systems. Availability of their design and analysis would be of paramount importance to serious amateur observers and astrophotographers.Mladen K. Vranjican ... Read more

Product Description
This introduction to the night sky is for amateur astronomers who desire a deeper understanding of the principles and observations of naked-eye astronomy. It covers topics such as terrestrial and astronomical coordinate systems, stars and constellations, the relative motions of the sky, sun, moon and earth leading to an understanding of the seasons, phases of the moon, and eclipses. Topics are discussed and compared for observers located in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Written in a conversational style, only addition and subtraction are needed to understand the basic principles and a more advanced mathematical treatment is available in the appendices. Each chapter contains a set of review questions and simple exercises to reinforce the reader's understanding of the material. The last chapter is a set of self-contained observation projects to get readers started with making observations about the concepts they have learned.William Charles Millar, currently Professor of Astronomy at Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan, has been teaching the subject for almost twenty years and is very involved with local amateur astronomy groups. Millar also belongs to The Planetary Society and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and has traveled to Europe and South America to observe solar eclipses. Millar holds a Masters degree in Physics from Western Michigan University. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Celestial Sphere
This book was exactly what I was looking for.It is a reasonably thorough and accurate presentation of the basic astronomy of the sky.It explains why we see the apparent motion of sun, stars, moon, and it gives a good account of the seasons and their causes.

It is readable and straightforward without being "dumbed down."It requires some work to fully grasp all the concepts the author presents, but the reward is well worth the effort.I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in really coming to grips with the celestial sphere and its motions.

Basic Astronomy
This book goes over the science of how things work. It tells why summer days are long and winter days are short. Also why things appear to move as they do, stars, some constellations. Great read if you want to know the science behind it all. Simple enough to browse, but with great details if you want to get more involved. ... Read more

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Traces the life and work of the man whose study of galaxies led to a new understanding of the universe. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Compact Biography for Young Readers
Having been a fan of Edwin Hubble since I first learned of him in high school in the early Fifties and read his classic work, The Realm of the Nebulae, while in college, I have collected everything about him I could find.He died suddenly during my senior year in high school and I was shocked and saddened to learn of it in the January, 1954 issue of Sky & Telescope magazine.I had long hoped a biography would be forthcoming but , except for a few brief ones in a few journals, no full length treatment was produced.I talked to Dr. Charles A. Whitney once about one he was to write which he told me was on hold but it never was completed.The first book with much biographical material was in a novel entitled Hubble Time published in 1987 which was about a fictional granddaughter.There is much biographical material in it about Hubble, however.One of its highlights is the publication of an essay about Hubble by Aldous Huxley which, according to the novel, had never been published.I well recall having read this very essay in the early Fifties!I had tried to find it several times since but could find no reference to it and it has been a great mystery where I read it.So, great was my surprise to find it in Hubble Time.

Finally, in 1989, a biography was published in Russia by two Russian scientists followed by Gale Christiansons excellent biography in 1995, both books long overdue.I also have copies of journals containing many of Hubble's scientific papers, all his books and a copy of his doctoral thesis.Now several volumes for young people have been written of which Mary Virginia Fox' is one.It is an excellent overview of his life and work for young people which can easily be read in one sitting and contains some photographs which I had not previously seen.It is good that such an important American astronomer, whose discoveries have been called "the most significant contributions to cosmology since Copernicus" and of whom Stephen Hawking has said "changed the concept of the universe more profoundly than anyone else", should be made known to a young generation. And Hubble's legacy continues in the profound new findings being produced with the great space telescope that appropriatly bears his name.

I would have loved to have had this excellent little book during my own early years. ... Read more

Product Description
In his sixth collection, American Book Award winner Martin Espada has created a poetic mural. There are conquerors, slaves, and rebels from Caribbean history; the "Mayan astronomer" calmly smoking a cigarette in the middle of a New York tenement fire; a nun staging a White House vigil to protest her torture; a man on death row mourning the loss of his books; and even Carmen Miranda. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Naming the Stars
A MAYAN ASTRONOMER IN HELL'S KITCHEN by Martín Espada

A MayanAstronomer in Hell's Kitchen is the title of Martín Espada's new book.Thetitle reflects the cultural and linguistic mix in which Espada lives,shuttling from his Puerto Rican heritage to Old Guard Connecticut.

The book begins in Puerto Rico with the poet's relatives.These include adying grandmother and a cousin whose stock of miracle cookware fails toheat the family dinner.About his father in Brooklyn, the poet writes:

Sometimes I dream

my father is a guitar,

with a hole inhis chest

where the music throbs

between my fingers

("My Father as a Guitar")

Espada also writesabout a magically real politician ("The Governor of Puerto RicoReveals at His Inaugural That He Is The Reincarnation of Ponce deLeon") and the mixture of foreign birds in a luxury hotel in SanJuan:

The White cockatoo from Australia

twirls tricks with ahostess

. ..

the scarlet macaw of Brazil

yammersa joke about pinacoladas

. . .

the peacock of India

skitters around the koi pond

. ..

the frostbitten turkey from North Carolina

thaws in the kitchen

("Ornithology at the Caribe Hilton")

These poemsrange from the deadly serious to the comic."The Carpenter Swam toSpain" is about the Spanish Civil War and "The River Will NotTestify" is about a Colonial massacre of Indians.Espada also speaksabout the Rosenbergs and MumiaAbu-Jamal.Other poems can make you laughout loud such as "Anarchism and the Parking Meter" and "WhyI Went to College":

If you don't,

my father said,

you better learn

to eat soup

through a straw

cause I'mgonna

break your jaw.

The book's best combination of socialcommentary and humor, as well as the most intense cultural conflict, occursin Connnecticut where Espada's in-laws have been resident since 1680.AtThanksgiving, he silently compares the New England fare to the "turkeywith arroz y habichuelos and plátanos" he grew up with.Later, hisfather-in-lawhauls out a small cannon and fires it at some oldtombstones; "This way, if I hit anybody, / they're already dead." The poet concludes:"When the first / drunken Pilgrim dragged outthe cannon at the first Thanksgiving - / that's when the Indiansleft." ("Thanksgiving"). With humor, Espada compares thefather-in-law's lack of value for his cultural heritage with the poet's ownsense of the past.

Espada has serious things to say, but he is notpreaching.His language is direct and pulls the reader along throughimages of both personal and political history.This book shows that Mr.Espada is a mature poet who continues to offer readers a great variety.

Surreal Poet on Real Fire
Martin Espada'stumultous language rushes forward in this unforgettable sixth collection of firey work: white heat surrounded by the cooler, blue streaks of history.Rather than hold a mirror up to the brokentime-barrier of his people's seemingly eternal struggle, he captures it bythe hair of its head and drags it onto the page where it still lives,thrashing.Emotive and layered with textural surreal images, his wordscontinue to carry the torch through the subterranean tunnels of freshconsciousness, where the shadows first cast by Neruda still dance.He is aworthy carrier of that kind of genuine magic.His is a poetry of sharpblades that cuts through the toughest-rooted dream territory, as we see in"The Shiny Aluminum of God:""The scar carves her husband'sforehead/ where the doctors scooped the tumor out,/ where cancer cellsscramble like a fistful of ants." No other present-day Mayan, orpresent-day prophet, for that matter, writes with such warp and texture.Warning: the poet talks texture at the table: the communion table ofcollective consciousness.Because he seems to hear more and see more thanother spiritual chroniclers, his readers can be with "the preacher whofirst heard the savior's voice/ bleeding through the plaster of thejailhouse."He is one who has a gift to let the blood speak-- to letthe truth seep through.The title is appropriate; he may well chart thestars of the past and future, and his poems are our hotline to his visionin Hell's Kitchen. Espada never shies away from the drama of his subjectmatter.Each poem is loaded with the special energy that only he canimpart. The message is usually violent, requiring a sizeable talent whichhas yet to let us down. ... Read more

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Presents 100 astronomy projects, with information on related mythology and pertinent history, cultures, and people. ... Read more

Product Description
Maria Mitchell gained international acclaim through her discovery of a comet, and was the first woman to be elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. She became professor of astronomy at Vassar College. All her life she continued to ponder the presence of God in creation and the problem of evil in the world. 30 b&w photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Must Read!
"Maria Mitchell: The Soul of an Astronomer" is a must read biography for all Middle Schoolers.Maria Mitchell herself is probably one of the least known, of all the important people of the 19th century.Hopefully, that's going to change with several biographies (including this one) recently released, and a documentary film in the works.Taught by her father, she was more than just the first professional woman astronomer in the United States.She was the first woman AND American to be awarded the gold medal, for discovering a telescopic comet, from the King of Denmark; the first woman allowed into the Vatican Observatory, and the first woman AND person to be a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

"Maria Mitchell: The Soul of an Astronomer" takes you through her life beginning as a young girl growing up on Nantucket, assisting her father with the computations of ship chronometers for the local sailers, to her worldwide fame after her comet discovery in 1847, to her leadership as the first woman Professor of Astronomy (at Vassar College).This biography is targeted at 6th through 8th graders but is a great read for adults as well.Thoroughly researched, the book includes many photos of all the key people and places involved in her life and includes all the sources used. ... Read more

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ASTRONOMERS’ OBSERVING GUIDES provide up-to-date information for amateur astronomers who want to know all about what it is they are observing. This is the basis of the first part of the book. The second part details observing techniques for practical astronomers, working with a range of different instruments.

Customer Reviews (1)

Oh, Jupiter [Zeus], the protector or Earth!!
Browsing through the heavens, I get the familiar warm feeling when seeing my favourite objects out there looking down on me, nothing given me this feeling more than Jupiter. Without Jupiter the night sky looks a bit empty, it's my observing companion on many nights and on early mornings when I'm walking to work.
No doubt, Jupiter has a special place in Earth Civilizations as do many other planets, but this particular one has earned the name god of all gods; and the protector of sky. Seeing this magnificent object in the sky with its visible moons [I managed to view 4 of them]; is a sight to remember. That said; I have to pin point that viewing an object like Jupiter or any other object once you get to know more about its make-up and history leads to a breathtaking appreciation of its might and beauty. This book is a step in the right direction for any one aspiring to learn about this planet and enjoy viewing it and maybe even be one of the fortunate few who will contribute to its science.

Section I: Science of Jupiter
Physical Characteristics, Terminology and Nomenclature, Belts and Zones are all included in exquisite details, you no longer will struggle to describe a feature on Jupiter, you now have in your hands the ability to indicate were each feature is located and how does it look in simple standard terminology that you can transcribe easily and effectively to any one and record it correctly. No more cryptic descriptions like "that strange looking dot with curve around the middle, maybe a bit north or south blah blah"; now you can precisely say "NNTB - North North Temperate Belt"and "GRS - Great Red Spot" and it makes sense to everyone. Chemical Composition, Atmosphere and Electromagnetic field around Jupiter are sufficiently articulate. If the electromagnetic field around earth has ever intrigued you, then get ready to be astounded with the details of the field around Jupiter. Its Moons "The Jovians" are mentioned with satisfactory details; IO, Europa, Ganymede and Calisto; there are books out there dedicated to these moons if desired.

Section II: How to Observe Jupiter
Approximately 50 pages are in three chapters covering equipment, sky conditions and Recording your observations. This is the part that guides you through your observation, both visual and imaging and recording what you see in a useful Logbook and even reporting your observations the correct way which is very important considering the recent events of more Comets Splashing into Jupiter. There is enough information to efficiently enjoy this planet and satisfy your scientific curiosity and make it a pleasurable reading.

Summary: Practical, Informative, Well Illustrated and Enjoyable.

More: July 2009, a "Sharp-Eyed" amateur by the name of Anthony Wesley observed and reported a new dark spot on Jupiter, many professionals in the field of astronomy listened and looked, Amateur Astronomers can still make valuable contributions. ... Read more

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Points out that women who like puzzles such as crossword, jigsaw, and Rubik's Cubes, and who like to imagine and visualize things have some of the skills to be an astronomer. ... Read more

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This book proposes a sound and realistic exploration on the topic of terraforming. Often used as the narrative premise in science fiction novels, terraforming is the process by which an uninhabitable planet might be converted into one capable of supporting life. This book presents what is physically possible today and hints what might conceivably be put into practice in the next several hundred years.

The author works within the realms of current technology and known physics, although speculation on future advancements inevitably enters the discussion. Introductory chapters establish why terraforming will be of great benefit to human kind, and also put in place the basic physical arguments necessary to the terraforming process. The following parts look at various proposals that have been made for terraforming the planets Mars and Venus. The book concludes with a glimpse to the much deeper future when humankind will explore and colonize the outer solar system and possibly the newly discovered exoplanets.

Customer Reviews (2)

Hard science for the academically inclined
I purchased this book thinking it was part of a series for science fiction writers and fans. I was wrong, of course, as it actually belongs to a series on academical discussions on cosmology and space science. If you are not into this kind of topic, the reading will be sure to put you to sleep in seconds. If, on the contrary, you enjoy learning about the science behind the possible engineering of planets in order to make them habitable by humans, this book will provide an excellent introduction to the subject. Even though the author (Martin Beech) tries very hard to make the book accessible to a wider audience, and even attempts to produce some fragments of literature, I must say he fails, though not terribly so. The average reader will not enjoy it, and only a handful will read through till the end, but if you take your science seriously, it is worth the effort.

--JAO

Very exciting Futurism
I enjoyed this scientific book very much.It is full of futuristic, yet useful, terraforming ideas.Very forward-thinking philosophically too. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A great beginners guide to astronomy.
This book provides you with all the basic information you need to start gazing at the heavens. Included are facts on our solar system, including the proper way to view the sun safely. Viewing distant galaxies, star clusters, and other satellites. Also covered are: how to read star charts, basic information on the equipment needed, a star glossary, and magazines and other references. I especially like the part on how to record your own observations and taking pictures. Really a good book for the budding astronomer. ... Read more

Product Description

Most amateur astronomers yearn to observe more frequently. Many of them, however, live in urban and highly developed suburban areas that are heavily light polluted. Due to this light pollution, they are under the impression that deep sky objects—nebulae, galaxies, star clusters—are either invisible or not worth viewing from home. This book describes the many objects that can be seen in a bright urban sky, and shows the city or suburban astronomer how to observe object after object, season after season.

This book covers the "why," "how," and "what" of astronomy under light-polluted skies. The prospective city-based observer is told why to observe from home (there are hundreds of spectacular objects to be seen from the average urban site), how to observe the city sky (telescopes, accessories, and moderns techniques), and what to observe. About 50% of the book is devoted to describing "tours" of the sky, with physical and observational descriptions, at-the-eyepiece drawings, and photographs.

Customer Reviews (7)

Great Books for Urban Astronomers
Mollise is one of the best authors of amateur astronomy guides. Clear proses, good writing style. This book is no exception. Excellent front material with advice gained by experience. The observing program will keep you busy. Objects selected and descriptions are outstanding. Frank discussion of what to expect when observing DSOs with scopes of different apertures under urban skies matches my more limited experience.

Informative & the Author's enthusiasm is inspiring
I live in the burbs and have a scope; I find that I only use it once or twice a year because I thought I had to take it out to the "country" for real dark skies. This book helped me break that cycle by explaining the approach & techniques for observing in the "imperfect" conditions in my own back yard.

A must have for city dewelers who are into astronomy
If you live in a city and have a telescope that you want to use in the city, then you must get this book.It has tons of suggestions on things you can do to make city observing better.If you haven't yet bought a telescope, and live in the city, you should read this book before buying one, as it has tips on the best telescopes for use in a city.

Great Book for City Dwelling Amatuer Astronomers!
Living in the South Florida Peninsula, you get used to light pollution.In 2005, I purchased my first "real" telescope and soon learned how badly light polluted South Florida really is.Although a trip to a dark sky site is only 60 miles away, I live in the suburbs outside of Miami and wanted to take advantage of my decent sized back yard.My sky's limiting magnitude is around 4, the sky towards the north is a grayish white haze where only Polaris is visible and the big dipper if high enough in the sky.The rest of the sky is a little better but after 2 years of limited success in searching for DSOs, I decided to look for help.
The Urban Astronomer's Guide may be the help I require.The book is well written and easy to follow.This book was written where beginners as well as intermediate amateur astronomers would find it interesting.
Part I of the book entitled: Telescopes and Techniques covers everything from the why one would want to observe from the city to the writers experience with types of telescopes and needed techniques to beat the light pollution blues.Mr. Mollise explains the advantages in large and short focal length telescopes and which objects benefit from either type.The author discusses in great detail the differences between the different types of Light-Pollution Reduction Filters, eyepieces, finders, computer software, print atlases, etc.
The book discuses techniques which experienced amateurs may be familiar with but beginners and intermediates may have heard have but not understand completely.Things like the use of averted vision, "jiggling" the telescope to tease out details in faint objects.Dark Adaptation is discussed and it's importance, all invaluable lessons that every amateur astronomer should learn.
Part II of the book entitled: A Walking Tour of the Cosmos is what makes this book a keeper.This section of the book goes over examples of objects that are perfect for city observation.The four chapters as you might imagine are broken up by season, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.Each season gives 4 lists of objects that the Author feels are viewable for the given season and time.An example of such a tour is Spring's Tour 1.Objects included in this tour are M94, M51, M106, M63, M81, M82, M101, M97, M3 and the Double Star Cor Caroli.

Each object is discussed in detail with the author's notes from his personal journal.Mr. Mollise discusses the use of filters that can enhance a particular object, magnification that should be used to view certain objects, and what you should expect to see at the eyepiece.The author also includes his personal illustrations of objects he's included in his journals, which gives you a good idea of what you should be able to see in the eyepiece.The illustrations are very good and to me are much more useful than the Hubble type images commonly seen in astronomy books.
The only thing I found a little odd about this book would be the inclusion of such difficult to see objects as M1 and M51.The author even writes: "Sadly, I have to admit that in the city it (M51) is something of a dud." He also writes: "you have to be satisfied just to say you've seen it (M1)."These are just two of several objects the author himself confesses are extremely challenging, if not impossible to view from a light-polluted location.Why not focus on objects that are less challenging?Maybe have one object at the end of each tour that might be a challenge.
This is not to say the book does not reward the reader with some surprisingly easy to see objects.I was recently treated to a "hidden treasure" in the open cluster M46.As it turns out there is a small planetary nebulae (NGC2438) within this semi-impressive cluster that makes M46 a showpiece object in my opinion.If not for this book, I may not have spent much more than 10 minutes viewing M46.I now find myself going back to it time after time just as I do with M42 and M45.
Overall the book is a good read.This book in written for beginner's with some experience and can be useful to intermediate amateurs who might not be getting the most from their telescopes due to light pollution issues within the Urban setting.Part II in particular I've found invaluable and it will definitely keep me coming back for more.

Indispenisble definitive guide for citybound deep-sky enthusiasts!
This is a work that has been long overdue. A book on urban astronomy that focuses soley on deep-sky objects, and practical recommendations for how to view them, equipment and techniques. A most comprehensive list, more than any other book of its kind. But by no means the only things that can be seen, there are more than in this book (as I have discovered). But by showing what you can see, you can try for more. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a complete beginner's guide to observing the night sky. Understand and enjoy the solar system and beyond with this practical guide to astronomy. Pick up all the basics of sky-watching. Start off by taking a tour around the night sky in simple stages, discovering how it fits together and how it works. Then take a closer look at the objects you can see and learn to train your eye to recognize basic patterns of constellations and how to tell planets apart from other celestial bodies. Plus, there's advice on buying and using kit, from binoculars to telescopes. This title is packed with detailed maps of the night sky and star charts to help any budding astronomer in their quest to find out more about this fascinating subject. ... Read more

Product Description

This book is intended for amateur astronomers who are readers of Sky and Telescope magazine or similar astronomy periodicals – or are at least at the same level of knowledge and enthusiasm.

Supernovae, the subject of this book, represent the most violent stellar explosions in the universe. It is a unique guide to supernova facts, and it is also an observing/discovery guide, all in one package. Supernovae are often discovered by amateur astronomers, and Martin Mobberley describes the best strategies for discovering and observing them. Moreover, Supernovae and How to Observe Them contains detailed information about the probable physics of supernovae, a subject which even today is imperfectly understood.

Here is a book that is essential reading for any amateur astronomer who is interested in discovering, observing, or learning about supernovae.

Customer Reviews (1)

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star!! How I Wonder What You Are? BOOOOM!!
The Wonders of the universe never seizes to astonish me, but few are as amazing and mind boggling as Supernovae. It's reasonably evident from observations and astrophysics that all materials other than Hydrogen must have been formed inside stars; these stars lived and in many instances died with tremendous outburst releasing colossal amounts of energy and all the elements that ended forming our solar system along with billions of others and naturally in me and all of us!!. The formation, birth, life and death of stars is a fascinating field of astronomy; one which will definitely capture the interest of amateur astronomers and the curious minds at one phase or another in their quest for the truth through the heavens.
This book is a guide to those stars that due to their size and other attributes which are explained in great details have ended their life in a massive and violent explosion that some even outshine their host galaxies in brightness. They emit large amounts of Gamma Rays [GRB] and X-Rays that spell doom to any living organism in their path. Its quiet comforting in astronomical terms to know that we are relatively safe down here in our little corner of the galaxy from such events; or are we? If this has grabbed your interest, then this book is for you.
Well organized and superbly illustrated and explained material that is loaded with images and pictures that enrich this book and make it as enjoyable as equally as its informative. One aspect that I would like to make clear, becoming a Supernovae Hunter is a task of dedication, intense effort, and patience. The previous statements should not be looked upon as a discouragement, but rather a challenge, but regardless if your time and dedication to Astronomy is limited or endless, this book is valuable and informative and should satisfy the inquisitive mind.

The book is divided into two parts:
-Supernovae: Physics and statistics: These chapters discuss the theory about Stars the will possibly end up as a Supernovae. Some interesting statistics indicating that we are a bit overdue for Supernovae in our vicinity of the heavens; the most likely stars to go BOOM like Betelgeuse; risks paused by such events and if we are likely to survive them. It's a quite good and informative part of the book.
-Observing and discovering Supernovae: Now that you understand what a Supernovae is, and appreciate the tremendous power involved when they go BOOM the question comes down to how to find one; observe it, image it, and Record it and maybe be one of the Elite Amateur Astronomers who will enter the annals of Astronomical Discoverers of Supernovae.

Sneak a peak at the "LOOK INSIDE" option. This will give you a clear idea about the contents and style of the book. Happy Hunting!! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A book of short astronomy stories
Setting Sail is a book of short astronomy stories. I personally love short story books, especially science books and my favorite science is astronomy; so it was no surprise that I enjoyed this book very much. Each story was interesting and informative, both of which you would want in a science book. Many of the stories I did not know so the material was new to me. This made the book fun to read and not a retelling of already known tales. At times I did find the language in the book unusual. The book was written in "British" English and I found it different at times to the "American" English I know so well. But this did not take away any of the excitement of the book. It only brought more color to the tales! ... Read more