Product Description

Here is a lunar atlas designed specifically for use in the field by lunar observers. Its title – The Six-inch Lunar Atlas – refers both to the aperture of the telescope used to make the images in the book, and also to the book’s physical size: so it’s perfect for fitting into an observer’s pocket!

The author’s own lunar photographs were taken with a 6-inch (150mm) telescope and CCD camera, and closely match the visual appearance of the Moon when viewed through a modest (3-inch to 8-inch) telescope. (Depending on seeing, of course.) Each picture is shown oriented "as the Moon really is" when viewed from the northern hemisphere, and is supplemented by exquisite computer sketches that list the main features. Two separate computer sketches are provided to go with each photograph, one oriented to appear as seen through an SCT telescope (e.g. the Meade and Celestron ranges), the other oriented for Newtonian and refracting telescopes. It is worth commenting that most observers find it extremely difficult to identify lunar features when using a conventional atlas and SCT telescope – the human brain is very poor at making "mirror-image" visual translations.

There is a page of descriptions for the salient features in each photograph.

Finally, an index at the end of the book lists all the features identified, and gives their approximate height, depth and for crater, diameter.

Customer Reviews (2)

Save Your Money
Useless, Total waste of Money. Collection of Blurry Digitized Images. OK for beginner,useless for serious telescope!

A practical, handy guide for field use
There are many lunar atlases for the amateur astronomer.I own A New Photographic Atlas of the Moon, Atlas of the Moon (Rukl's), Exploring the Moon Through Binoculars and Small Telescopes, New Atlas of the Moon, Observing the Moon: The Modern Astronomer's Guide and The Hatfield Lunar Atlas.The Six-Inch Lunar Atlas: A Pocket Field Guide serves a niche that the others do not.

The main part of the book is the "Atlas" section - which encompasses all but the first 14-pages of the book.The "Atlas" section details 60 finder charts of "primary lunar formations" ... the author's Top 60 List of lunar features to observe.

Each section includes: a finder chart with a naked eye-binocular view, a half-page to full-page description of the formations and craters in the finder chart, plus two digitally altered Adobe Photoshop Elements v4.0 images of the original finder chart.

The first altered image is an upside-down (Newtonian) view and the second image is a mirror-reversed (SCT with diagonal) view.The digitally altered images are not photographs but rather ink outline images.They have a grainy appearance with contour lines that make the images look more like drawings than photographs.

The best part of this atlas is its small size (approximately 8" x 5").Unlike the other atlases that I referenced in the opening paragraph, this atlas is user friendly for field use at the telescope.It is truly practical and handy.

However, it is not quite perfect.The atlas is not all encompassing, but in my opinion the biggest imperfection are some (but not all) of the digitally altered images.

For inexperienced observers the contour lines can be confusing as they are not lunar features or formations but rather brightness differences.Where there are an abundance of contour lines (some mountainous &/or deep-cratered areas) the contour lines can distort the digital image.The author states he used the digitally altered images on purpose because he didn't want a completely photographic atlas.While I understand his reasoning, I feel that some of the altered images (overall a minority of the images) distort to a degree what the observer will see through his/her eyepiece.

Despite my slight criticism, this atlas - a true user friendly pocket guide - is a valuable & handy aid for the observer in the field.It's a must-have for anyone who needs an aid in planning a lunar observing session or a field guide to help them identify lunar features at the eyepiece.The information and multiple depictions of what the observer will see through the eyepiece is invaluable. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.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 an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from GeneralBooksClub.com. You can also preview excerpts from the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Published by: John Murray in 1889 in 297 pages; Subjects: Religion and science; History / General; Religion / Theology; Religion / Religion & Science; Science / Philosophy & Social Aspects; ... Read more

Product Description
An updated volume, incorporating results from NASA's Voyager 2 and Hubble projects, teaches the elements of astronomy--from drawing star trails to examining sunspots--through the perspective of art, history, philosophy, and the other humanities. Original. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book, very useful for teachers!
This is a very practical book full of history and information that is very helpful for classroom teaching.I teach 6th grade and found the diagrams and projects interesting and helpful in building an understanding of the sky. ... Read more

Product Description
Spooky in topic but erudite and humorous in style, theeight stories in "The Astronomer's House" are set in and around anancient port town called Sag Harbor.In some the devil appears, inthe guise of a stout gentleman with a bushy black beard who describeshimself as a therapist eager to assuage the pangs of dissatisfaction.Two others introduce ghosts whose motives are more benign--the causeof architectural preservation being dear, naturally, to the hearts ofthose who haunt landmark structures.

Many years ago, the author nearly bought the strange, derelict towerhouse by a Sag Harbor cemetery that inspires the title story.Thinking better of it, he built a home of his own design, turreted butunhaunted, in the woods not far away--a locale that, nonetheless, isvisited by evil in another story.

Listen to what I have to tell you, invites the charming tempter inthat tale, which opens in Vermont--"or wonder," he adds, quotingC.S. Lewis, "till it drives you mad, what would have followed if youhad." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Astronomer's House
Part mystery, part history, part sophisticated whimsy.A largeand unusual cast of ghosts makes use of a rich trove ofreal locations in the old whaling village of Sag Harbor, NY. They must band together to save its historic, architecturally enchanting and sometimes eerie houses and other buildings. Each story adds new characters and village history while it reveals another element of the main mystery, which is resolved at the end of the final story. The style is delightful, elegant, lightly tongue-in-cheek by an author who brings to his knowledge and love of an old village a lively and refreshing imagination. A good read!

Delightful & chilling
This is one of the most enjoyable collection of short stories I've ever read. Schaffner has captured the essence of the Hamptons as only a longtime resident is capable. From the area's ornery country small town personality, to the glitterati of the Hollywood crowd, and the maddening seasonal tourist invasions, he gets it all. More important is the creativity he brings to these supernatural tales. For they resonate with both the good-natured sense of humor of the artist and mystic reporting familiar territory, and that wierd and mysterious sense of evil that only the Devil embodies. The description of the practical challenges of being a functioning ghost in an increasingly suburbanized environment will make the reader imagine Schaffner secreting himself and his notebook as an otherwordly eavesdropper. The sheer inventiveness of the plot lines are another joy. Nothing hackneyed here. Anyone who enjoys reading, who loves to smile, who can feel that cold sense of fear rushing up the spine as the imagination fills in the gaps left by the author's hints, will love this book. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Product Description
Introduction to Relativity is intended to teach physics and astronomy majors at the freshman, sophomore or upper-division levels how to think about special and general relativity in a fundamental, but accessible, way. Designed to render any reader a "master of relativity", everything on the subject is comprehensible and derivable from first principles. The book emphasizes problem solving, contains abundant problem sets, and is conveniently organized to meet the needs of both student and instructor.

*Simplicity: the book teaches space and time in relativity in a physical fashion with minimal mathematics
*Conciseness: the book teaches relativity by emphasizing the basic simplicity of the principles at work
*Visualization: space-time diagrams (Minkowski) illustrate phenomena from simultaneity to the resolution of the twin paradox in a concrete fashion
*Worked problems: two chapters of challenging problems solved in several ways illustrate and teach the principles
*Problem sets: each chapter is accompanied by a full set of problems for the student that teach the principles and some new phenonmena ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

You Should Seek Alternatives
A previous reviewer of this book and myself were actually members of the same physics class at the University of Cincinnati that used this text.I believe I can speak for the entire class when I say that we were all disappointed and frustrated with this book.

Kogut simply does not explain things well.I had purchased "Special Relativity" by A.P. French at the same time I bought Kogut's book, and I was very glad I did.Time and time again I found myself going back and reading French instead of Kogut.(Kogut's was the required text for this particular course, while French's was an optional text.)

If you are seeking a book to read simply to try to learn a bit about relativity on your own, you should skip this book.If you wish to learn about Special Relativity, I think you would be far better served by French's book than Kogut's.Now Kogut does have a couple chapters at the end on General Relativity, whereas French deals strictly with Special Relativity.But if you want to learn General Relativity, I have to believe there are far better books for you to consult than Kogut.

If you are purchasing this book for use in a course on relativity, I strongly recommend you purchase an additional text to supplement your learning.I think you will find Kogut incredibly frustrating, and you will be looking forward to simply being finished with the book.French's "Special Relativity" may be an old book, but French's presentation is incredible.(I was equally happy with French's "Vibrations and Waves" the previous quarter, so I think it's safe to say French knows what he's doing.)

The only thing I will say I liked about this book is that Kogut has several nicely done Minkowski diagrams resolving the Twin Paradox.For that reason alone, I am giving the book two stars instead of one.But I just don't think a few decent pictures are reason enough to put yourself through having to read the rest of this book.

prompt delivery, no problems
Delivery was quick.The condition of the book was as described. ... Read more

Product Description

In the last thirty years humans have probed the Universe, explored the Solar System and visited with spacecraft some of the most incredible places humans have ever laid eyes upon. We have expanded our knowledge slowly and surely, but still now only see a glimpse of the bigger picture. The Cosmic Keyhole explores the big discoveries of recent years and asks what’s next? How prolific is life in the Universe? How far back to the Big Bang can we probe? And what hidden treasures still await us in the hidden corners of our Solar System?

Product Description
Are you an avid sky-watcher? Would you like to observe the changes in the moon’s surface? Predict the orbit of a satellite? Record sunspots?

Finally, here is the book you’ve been waiting for! From the longest-running column in Scientific American’s history comes this collection of fascinating projects for the amateur astronomer. Whether you’re interested in designing your own telescope or determining the chemical composition of faraway stars, this unique book will help you satisfy your passion for the skies. You’ll learn how to build and use astronomical tools that will help you better understand and appreciate the solar system, our galaxy, and the cosmos.

Here you’ll discover fascinating facts about astronomy along with helpful tips and clear instructions on how to build inexpensive astronomical instruments in home-based workshops using ordinary shop tools. From making a pendulum that detects the earth’s rotation, to observing Jupiter with a homemade telescope, to taking picture-perfect images of a comet, these projects will help you go deeper into space than you’ve ever imagined. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Agood starting point
This book is a credible source of information for the budding amateur astronomer. Scientific American has been on the forefront of the amateur astronomy movement in America for well over one hundred years. With that type of a reputation, it is clear that they are seeking to keep their track record intact.

The Amateur Astronomer addresses fabrication of optical telescopes in Part One in a manner that is adequate to get someone with reasonable skills headed in the right direction. In Parts Two, Three and Four it goes into astronomy and explores various types of observations the amateur can make.

I highly recommend Scientific American's Amateur Astronomer for anyone who is seeking to enter the field of astronomy in a meaningful way.

Francis J. O'Reilly ... Read more

Product Description
With brilliant clarity, Jonathan Sarfati, author of the best-selling Refuting Evolution (1 and 2) has produced a comprehensive and ringing refutation of the position of progressive creationist Hugh Ross, whose views are causing massive confusion about science and the Bible. This book is one of the most powerful biblical and scientific defenses of a straightforward view of Genesis creation ever written. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (32)

Excellent.
This is a very good book. Gives a thorough refutation of long-age compromise. It is written with laymen in mind, but has sections that go in depth. An excellent book, especially useful for Pastors, Teachers and Christians of all denominations.

Sola Scriptura
Dr. Sarfati has done a brillant job of refutation in this book. He lays bare the nonsense of finite opinions against infinite revelation.

I'd just like Dr. Hugh Ross and all the self proclaimed science critics to please explain how they can 'know' that the earth is 4.5 billion years old? I mean how can they possibly 'know' they have the absolute true and final answer? Just what do they compare their calculated ages to? Just what 4.5 billion year old object of 'proven known age' do they calibrate their methods and instuments against anyway? How can they possibly know they have the right answer? Their attempt to prove the age of the earth is insane and a philosophical category mistake. Finite man beginning with himself as referent can never know the true age of earth!

Well, I guess the only sane, logical and rational answer is that science is never final, it only is an 'approximation'of the truth or science can only assert that it is only 'probable' that the earth is 4.5 billion years old. Science and scientists take great pride in dealing only with the facts, right; quantification is the rule.

Ok then, please quantify how 'approximate' 4.5 billion years is to the true age of the earth and what is the 'probability' that this approximation is approximate to WHAT? Please post your calculations and explain how you got there so any thinking person can have a good laugh!

Great overview - don't believe the negative reviews
This book is very helpful for getting your arms around the overview of the evidence against the compromise view of 'progressive creationism,' made popular recently by the bizarrely inconsistent (unscientific & unbiblical) astronomer Hugh Ross.

Sarfati lays out the inconsistencies, both scientifically and Biblically, of the 'progressive creationism' ideology (and all non-literal ideologies), in a way even a novice creationist may understand.

Don't believe the negative reviews from pseudo-scientific religionists (yes, evolution IS a religion...and requires MUCH more 'faith' than believing the Bible).

Embarassingly bad
I stopped reading materials published by Answers in Genesis and the Institute for Creation Research after reading an article on the ICR web site that claims the speed of light has slowed down over the last few thousand years. That is absolutely preposterous and insulting to any reasonably intelligent person. Mathematics is not a science of ambiguity. I am not less of a Christian or believer because I use the brain God gave me to think about things. But the pseudo-science propagated by these folks is embarassing and makes Christians look bad. The personal attack against Hugh Ross is unnecessary and renders this book as the work of an amateur. I enjoy Ross' work because he simply looks at nature and science, from the point of view of "God made this...and it is magnificent". His work is not about attacking other people.

Refuting Reality: Medieval Babble as Popularized by Johathan Sarfati
"Refuting Compromise" completes Sarfati's tendentious trilogy of fundamentalist Young Earth Creationist (YEC) pulp-fiction.Companion volumes (reviewed separately) include "Refuting Evolution" and "Refuting Evolution 2."Chronicling the inane and irresolvable partisan spat between young and old earth creationists brings Shakespeare to mind - "it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

Normally I wouldn't read or review tripe like this - but medieval dogmas so corrosive and inimical to a reality-based worldview require rigorous rebuke and reprobation.Before resorting to fundamentalist newspeak bible-babble Sarfati takes a short detour by way of character assassination and trashes Hugh Ross, a leading proponent of the Old Earth Creationism.A scientifically literate secularist could at least establish a dialog with Ross.Any conversation with Sarfati would founder on rocky crags of rampant superstition, magical thinking, and a hermetically sealed hermeneutic with no explanatory or predictive power whatsoever.

As an employee of Answers in Genesis (AiG) Sarfati had to sign a "Statement of Faith" that, among other things, includes the following:

"BASICS ARTICLE 3:The account of origins presented in Genesis is a simple but factual presentation of actual events and therefore provides a reliable framework for scientific research into the question of the origin and history of life, mankind, the Earth and the universe."

"GENERAL ARTICLE 6:No apparent, perceived or claimed evidence in any field, including history and chronology, can be valid if it contradicts the Scriptural record."

Discerning the nature of reality challenges human intellect even when armed with the formidable tools of science, philosophy, and reason.By signing this statement Sarfati has unconditionally surrendered to intensely subjective and unverifiable special revelation.In pithier terms he's chosen to bring a knife to a gun fight.

The pitiful 'creationist geochronology and cosmology' scattered throughout "Refuting Compromise" regurgitates erroneous hypothesis and junk findings wished into existence by the RATE (Radioisotopes and the Age of the Earth) group - a collective of various crank-science Young Earth Creationists whose shallow litany of fallacious non-peer reviewed arguments includes:Helium diffusion in zircon crystals, C14 in coal and diamonds, and my personal favorite - Polonium halos.

Although this drivel occasionally hoodwinks unwary biblical literalists the scientific community (ranging from evangelicals to atheists) remains unimpressed.Sarfati also swills deeply from the capacious trough of ignorance and superstitious fancy promulgated by Answers in Genesis, a delusional creation-cult masquerading as a ministry to which he, utilizing sperm bank euphemism, makes deposits.

Let's examine Sarfati's claim that red blood cells were found in a late Cretaceous T. rex fossil some 70 million years old. Sarfati immediately declares victory over the non-existent yet necessary - for fund raising purposes anyway - evil secular humanist and Darwinist conspiracy and declares his cretinous creationist timeline of some 6,000 years triumphant.

Next time Jonathan read the primary literature - Schweitzer, Mary H., Mark Marshall, Keith Carron, D. Scott Bohle, Scott C. Busse, Ernst V. Arnold, Darlene Barnard, J. R. Horner, and Jean R. Starkey, 1997a. Heme compounds in dinosaur trabecular bone. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA 94: 6291-6296 - before putting pen to paper. All the data supported the conclusion that the T. rex fossil in question contained fragments of hemoglobin molecules. "The most likely source of these proteins is the once-living cells of the dinosaur." No red blood cells, only protein fragments.

Here is the abstract on the PNAS paper authored by Schweitzer et al:

"Six independent lines of evidence point to the existence of heme-containing compounds and/or hemoglobin breakdown products in extracts of trabecular tissues of the large theropod dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex. These include signatures from nuclear magnetic resonance and electron spin resonance that indicate the presence of a paramagnetic compound consistent with heme. In addition, UV/visible spectroscopy and high performance liquid chromatography data are consistent with the Soret absorbance characteristic of this molecule. Resonance Raman profiles are also consistent with a modified heme structure. Finally when dinosaurian tissues were extracted for protein fragments and were used to immunize rats, the resulting antisera reacted positively with purified avian and mammalian hemoglobins. The most parsimonious explanation of this evidence is the presence of blood-derived hemoglobin compounds preserved in the dinosaurian tissues."

The lead author of the PNAS paper, Mary Schweitzer, happens to be an evangelical Christian who notes that "If God is who He says He is, He doesn't need us to twist and contort scientific data. The thing that's most important to God is our faith. Therefore he's not going to allow Himself to be proven by scientific methodologies."

Creationists routinely accuse Schweitzer of collaboration, conspiracy, or worse: "It rips my guts out," she says. "These people are claiming to represent the Christ that I love. They're not doing a very good job. It's no wonder that a lot of my colleagues are atheists." She told one zealot, "You know, if the only picture of Christ I had was your attitude towards me, I'd run."

Molecular paleontology - an exciting new branch of science - has been opened up by Schweitzer's insights and research; proof that workers of any religious tradition, or none at all, can be good scientists since science is based on methodological naturalism - not the medieval demon-haunted supernatural religious conceits Sarfati abjectly wallows in.

Over the past two hundred years scientific advances in a number of disciplines, ranging from cosmology to physics and geology, have demolished YEC pretensions and allowed researchers to determine the age of the Earth with remarkable accuracy - 4.54 billion years (plus or minus 1%). For additional information, and the fascinating history of how multiple lines of scientific inquiry and evidence converged to support this finding, try Ancient Earth, Ancient Skies: The Age of Earth and its Cosmic Surroundings or The Age of the Earth by G. Brent Dalrymple.

A Pb/Pb isochron age, determined from samples of the Earth and meteorites, is the preferred technique used to calculate the age of the Earth. This method measures three isotopes of Lead (Pb-206, Pb-207, and either Pb-208 or Pb-204). The resulting Pb-206/Pb-204 versus Pb-207/Pb-204 ratios are then plotted on a graph.

If the reservoir of matter from which the solar system formed had a uniform distribution of Pb isotope ratios, then any plot made at the time of formation for objects derived from that matter would fall on a single point.

The amount of Pb-206 and Pb-207 changes over time since any primordial Uranium decays to these end products (U-238 decays to Pb-206 and U-235 decays to PB-207). Consequently the data points inevitably diverge. Samples with higher Uranium-to-Lead ratios will express the greatest change in Pb-206/Pb-204 and Pb-207/Pb-204 values.

If the solar system also formed from source material with uniform Uranium isotope distribution ratios then a plot of the data points will fall on a single line. The slope of this line can be used to calculate the amount of time (age) since the original matter pool separated into discrete objects.

Sarfati would undoubtedly object to the assumptions noted above. Unfortunately for him the validity of these assumptions is elegantly tested by plotting the Pb/Pb ratio data. The actual underlying assumption is that, if these requirements have not been met, then there is no reason for the data points to fall on a line.

Every time a credible researcher or lab runs these tests on valid samples and plots the results, the data points fall on a line. Not only is the age of the Earth determined, the underlying assumptions are verified - something Morris never bothers to tell the reader. Scientific case closed. The Earth is old, immensely old, deep time old, 4.54 billion years old, but the author can't deal with the result since they overthrow his childish religious conceits and cherished creation myth.

Even when anomalous Pb/Pb isochron dates (from invalid samples, sloppy lab work, or both) are deliberately cherry-picked by YECs the outcome is not in favor of a young Earth. One particularly notorious example (Woodmorappe, 1979, p.113) only proved that Pb/Pb dates are far more likely to be too young than too old. Sarfati and Wodmorappe need the dates to be too old if their viewpoint is correct. Once again reality-based science trumps myth-based creationism - in spite of creationist attempts to load the dice!

Does the fringe theology and make believe 'science' championed by this book justify overturning centuries of spectacular advances in cosmology, astronomy, physics, geology, paleontology, chemistry, and biology?Should we overthrow reason and embrace a new post-modern medievalism as we hurtle toward a second Dark Age?Absolutely not.

Sarfati can't even present a valid case, let alone make it.Farce is tragedy the second or third time around, and so is this book. ... Read more

Product Description

Astronomers' Universe Series

The aim of this book is to provide an up-to-date account of active galaxies that is appropriate to the background knowledge of amateur astronomers, but might also be picked-up and read for interest by any reader with a scientific bent.

Active galaxies (including Quasars, QSOs, Radio galaxies, BL Lacs, Blazars, LINERS, ULIRGS, Seyfert galaxies, Starburst galaxies, N galaxies, etc.) are a major field of current astronomical research. Up to a fifth of all research astronomers are working on active galaxies. Huge amounts of time on major telescopes are devoted to their study. In almost all cases the galaxies are thought to be powered by 100 million solar mass black holes at their centres.

Some of the objects are bright enough to be seen in small telescopes, and an amateur astronomer with a 20 cm telescope and a CCD detector could obtain images of many more. Lists of such objects, and their visual and imaged appearance in commercially available telescopes are an important component of this book. This detailed but accessible work will be the only coherent and complete source of information for non-technical readers on an area of astronomy that fascinates many people and whose spectacular images from the Hubble space telescope, Gemini, VLT and other major telescopes frequently make the pages of the quality newspapers and occasionally appear on TV.

It also has the potential to be chosen as a set text or background reading for university courses on the subject, althought he writing style is such that it will appeal to all readers.

Product Description

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.

Star Clusters and How to Observe Them is a mine of information for all levels of amateur observers, from beginners to experienced observers. It begins with a detailed yet easily assimilated description of star clusters, how they were formed as our Milky Way galaxy evolved, and how they are classified. The latest research has revealed a vast amount of fascinating information about the clusters, along with some spectacular photographs.

Modern commercially-made telescopes enable amateur astronomers to see a surprising amount of detail, and to record – using CCD cameras, video, webcams or even film – some remarkably beautiful and detailed images. There is detailed information on using refractors, reflectors, SCT’s (like Meade and Celestron) and computer-controlled telescopes

The book includes an Observing List cataloguing star clusters to be observed or imaged using a variety of different instruments, all of them available commercially to amateur astronomers.

Customer Reviews (5)

A Rare Breed!
Books specifically about Star Clusters are a rare breed (there are 2, Archinal & Hayes book AND this one!) So I ordered this book with bated breath.
I am glad to report that it did not dissapoint. The scientific data is fresh, non-technical and bang up-to-date and covers all types of clusters including remnants, extragalactic clusters and asterisms. The observing guide and object list is thorough and accessible, and unlike most general deep sky books, the content is geared specifically towards star clusters. Would I recommend this book to cluster enthusiasts and beginners? You bet!

Fascinating and Informative Book
I am an amateur living in suburban conditions, so star clusters are ideal targets for my small scope. I found this book invaluable. It gives not only up-to-date information on all aspects of clusters - but in an easy to read format, and no maths in sight. I also found the observing guide and 'hit list' very useful. In my humble opinion, this book is worth every cent.

A great observing guide!
This book is easy to read yet goes quite deep into star cluster science and physics - but with a down to earth approach. As a newcomer to astronomy, I found the observing guide very helpful. Even the sections on equipment and techniques were useful as they are geared to star cluster observation. The list of objects is thorough and well thought out - but It could have been larger!
The author states he is an amateur astronomer himself - and his passion for the subject certainly shows. Highly recommended!

An enjoyable and inspiring read
I found this book both interesting and factual. It does not contain any history of observing, or mythology but the author mentions that this was intentional. The book covers the science of star clusters very well and most of the latest discoveries are documented.

I did find a few small errors in the text but they don't distract the from the content too much, and I must admit that Springer books in general appear to have more typos than usual.
The sections on observing will appeal to beginners - though advanced amateurs may find these sections too simplistic - I guess the author is trying to appeal to all types of observer?
The list of objects is comprehensive and covers the range from very easy, to pretty hard - some are a little obscure - but at least this presents a challenge. The star charts are very clear - but some of the CCD images are a little ropey - but they are produced by amateur astronomers.

Archinal & Hynes book 'Star Clusters' is a much larger book and covers the history of star clusters and many pages are dedicated to its star cluster catalogues. But if you require a smaller book that concentrates on star cluster science and observing, then Allison's book will suit you better.

I would recommend this book to any star cluster enthusiast.

Star Clusters: The Missed Opportunity
I’m an optimist:I believe Man will wake up to Global Warming before we turn our planet into Venus, that there are some honest politicians, and that proofreading will return to the forefront of book publishing.

Alas, today is not that day.Allison’s book so badly needed a proofreader that a fifth-grade teacher, armed with a red pen, would have run out of ink before getting out of the first couple chapters.I think good writing should not only be engaging, but should be free from obvious grammar and spelling errors—it makes it easier to read for the inexperienced reader, and considerably less distracting for the experienced reader.
Allison’s book has so many errors in grammar, including punctuation and tense, that the book is quite distracting to read.

I admire the intent, though, and I would have grudgingly given a nod to the book were it not for the Fatal Flaw that seems to inhabit so many astronomy-oriented books these days: the inclusion of basic information unnecessary to the text or content of the book.

On point:does a book about the structure, history, and observing of star clusters really need basic information about finders, telescope types, Barlows, diagonals, and filters?If you think it does, because the book might be read by a novice stargazer who is not so familiar with the basics of observing, then why include information on cluster classification systems, stellar spectra, and hard-to-observe faint clusters that are test objects for large dobs?Does the reader who understands the science of stars and their classifications, or to whom the difficult clusters would be interesting challenges, really need a primer on finders and Barlows?

I think not.Perhaps the author didn’t either, but was asked to include this information by the publisher.Whichever is the case, it’s there, but it surely didn’t need to be.

Lastly, there is the “meat” of the book; its catalogue of 109 star clusters, replete with finder charts, photographs, basic data, and observation reports.This is the part of the book that might have, despite the other problems aforementioned, redeemed the book in the eyes of this 43 year veteran of star cluster observing.

It was not to be.I could not believe some of the sky’s most spectacular clusters, such as NGC 7789 in Cassiopeia, were left out, while truly difficult (and somewhat mundane) clusters, such as G1 in the Andromeda Galaxy, were included.If the intent is to inspire people to look at star clusters of all types and sizes, with all levels of difficulty, then a more comprehensive approach is necessary.If you compare this to “Star Clusters” by Archinal and Hynes (pub.Willmann-Bell), or “The Night-Sky Observer’s Guide” by Kepple and Sanner (pub.Willmann-Bell), or “Observing Handbook and Catalogue of Deep-Sky Objects” by Luginbuhl and Skiff (pub.Cambridge Univ.Press), the truly poor nature of this book’s contents becomes glaringly apparent.

I do not recommend this book without a major rewriting and the inclusion of a lot more star clusters.Save your money and get one of the books mentioned—your interest will be far better served.

Don Pensack, Los Angeles, May, 2006.
... Read more

Product Description
An abundantly illustrated guide to the year's best stargazing season.

"Summer brings with it fine stargazing weather; it also happens to be the time of the year when our galaxy, the Milky Way, arches high across the sky." -- Terence Dickinson

The cool, clear nights from May to October offer astronomers the best opportunities for stargazing. Few sights in nature can compare with the splendor of a dazzling star-filled sky.

Summer Stargazing captures the grandeur of the universe with down-to-earth simplicity. All that is needed is a reasonably dark night sky, a pair of binoculars or a simple telescope, and this book.

The book features everything else the amateur astronomer needs, including easy-to-use color star charts that cover the entire North American sky for one year and photographic-quality charts for this main stargazing season.

With Summer Stargazing, astronomers can delve into the majesty of the starry night to explore: - Planets of the Solar System - Galaxies - Remote star-forming nebulas - Glittering star dusters and more.

Helpful advice is given for safely viewing special phenomena such as eclipses and auroras.

Summer Stargazing is both a stargazing guide and a pictorial celebration of the summer night sky. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Very helpful when you have a very dark, clear sky
Like many of you, I've long grown accustomed to diminished observing under a light polluted night sky. Sure, I can usually trace the major constellations and still find the best and brightest Messier objects. Yet, I hadn't realized my viewing deficiency until I had the benefit of an exceptionally dark night sky, far from city lights. There, I was lost, overwhelmed by a stellar grandeur that obliterated my limited sense of what I thought was there. I went scurrying for works that would come to my rescue. Few did, even the elaborate observing guides I had with me.

I found this one at the Air & Space Museum. Wow! For me, the price is worth it for just the wide field star images on pages 24-47. Even more so, the "close-up" photo swaths on pages 38, 40 and 44 I have turned to time and again for revealing deep sky treasures in the context of their placement in the Summer Triangle, and the richness of the Scorpius and Saggitarius regions.

If you have the occasional privilige to look into a truly dark summer night sky, this work can be your faithful seeing eye dog. I carry it with me along with my higher priced observing encyclopedias to keep me mindful of all that is there in the spendid Mily Way.

The balance of the book is helpful more for begininners and an excellent introduction for those who want to sample observing the summer night sky. Be aware that planetary positions are only through the year 2010 (I've never used that section anyway). But, even for this guy who owns an 8" scope, I won't be without "Summer Stargazing" under dark summmer sky observing. I pack it right along with several of the deep sky observing tomes each summer.

For the right audience, a must have -- read on...
If you are ages 10-15, or an adult who wants to get "up to speed" on astronomy-speak in under a 5 hour read -- this is the book to own!This chronology of major astrological events to look for in the sky which comes at the end of the book is outdated by a few years due to the publish date, but the sky charts (actually full page photos) -- specifically and only for summer months in the U.S. -- were actually usable!Also useful was the section on purchasing a telescope for a novice or even decent binoculars (a $50 investment to start was recommended, imagine that!).Also, a handy refernce for dates of meteor showers is a great thing for kids in large groups.And for a freeze-baby who lives in a northern climate who only takes the time to stargaze on warm, summer, cloudless nights, this is the only book I need.

You'll pull this book out time and time again.
My third year of owning this great night time aid has only increased my appreciation of what lies above.This book has great reference guides for planetary location, eclipse tables, lunar maps, and enough material for the person observing with binicoulars (which I started out with), to someone with an intermediate telescope (I moved up to a 6" reflector because I wanted to see more of what is presented).The lay-out of the book is very straight forward, and any one may pick it up and begin to locate everything pictured.Owners of small refracter telescopes will find renewed interest in what they will be able to view with the help of this book.A must have companion if you starting out, an old friend as time goes by.

Nice Pictures but too little material.
This book is a handy book with nice pictures for starters . There should be more materials than these as the pages are filled with more pictures than words and too little explainations. There are too little detail oradvice or tips said about stargazing as the main subject.Conslusion:Good, but should contain about 50% more materials and advices/details.

Amateur friendly with photos and common sense
There will be a glut of astronomy books as we approach the millenium. If you want a classic, timeless dose of education and common sense this is the book for you. The best summer nights since Grease. ... Read more

Product Description
A biography of the free-born black man who, as a self-taught mathematician and astronomer, helped survey the site of the Nation's Capitol and published several popular almanacs. ... Read more

Product Description
Profiles the life of Galileo Galilei, focusing on his defense of the Copernican theory and his struggles with the Catholic Church. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

(non-fiction) Galileo Astronomer and Physicist
This book, is mostly about the Galileo's life.It is a biography of him.Galileo was born on January 8, 1610.He was a great astronomer, in fact, one of the greatest astronomers that had ever lived. He discovered many things that nobody else bothered to know about.He corrected many ancient theories, for example, Aristotle's.One of the theories of Aristotles was the theory of motion. Aristotle believed that heavier objects should fall faster than lighter objects. Galileo then was curious about this theory and tested it. It then seemed that Aristotle was incorrect.Galileo though had proof and told other people about the theory that he had. Many didn't believe him because Aristotle was one of the classics and had been around for centuries.Galileo did many other magnificent discoveries and corrections that had changed our lives. Today, we respect him as the greatest astronomer that had ever lived.
Why I recommend this book is that it is full of information.It tells about practically anything you want to know about Galileo.It is a useful reference book that is also surprisingly easy to understand.It shows and makes reading biographies fun.
Though I don't really have a favorite part, I enjoyed some of the sections in the book. Such as when Galileo finds that Aristotle's theories were mostly all incorrect, it was an amazing discovery and correction.The book also gave me knowledge about who named this and that. ... Read more

Product Description
Picking up where Skywatching left off, here is an invaluable, advanced observer's primer and field guide to the night sky. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Born again Astronomer
Great book for anyone wanting to go deeper into amateur astronomy. Many background topics are covered in the first portion of the book leading into the observational delights in the last chapters. I use this book for light reading and to plan observing lists for clear nights to come. The breakout of objects by category is great. The objects are listed by what instrument will be necessary for best viewing, ie binoculars, small telescope...

What Is With All The Negativity?
If you are interesting in astronomy, or just bought your first telescope, buy this book (or its soft cover twin A Guide to Backyard Astronomy). Period. It is a perfect launching point to explore the stars.Some may complain that the maps are not complete, but the entire point of this book is to start you on the road to stargazing, and it has plenty for a budding astronomer to work with without being overwhelmed. Heck, I still use it and find it much more user friendly than many other books. Ignore the negativity and enjoy the book. For the price there should be no argument. I suggest looking up the reviews on its softcover identical twin, A Guide To Backyard Astronomy, for a more honest review.

Buy it!...unless,
Ten years ago, if you were someone who had never looked into a telescope, or couldn't find the North Star even with the Big Dipper emblazoned on the clear night sky right in front of you, one might question the wisdom of your decision to buy this type of book.After all, it includes instructions to navigate a telescope to a number of obscure Messier objects that you can't even see with the naked eye.The fact is, today anyone willing to invest a considerable chunk of spare change, say $1500 plus, can go out and buy a motorized telescope equipped with an internal computer that, along with a compass and a GPS system, automatically aligns the entire rig with the push of a button.From there, viewing these same Messier objects is as simple as programming your coffee maker.Needless to say, what was yesterday's advanced technology is today's ..umm, coffee maker.
This book is a pleasurably condensed beginning astronomy course, with each short section covering a broad range of subjects - from the birth and development of astrophysics and the state of exploration in the solar system (Voyager and Hubble) to some technical considerations, such as a brief synopsis of the electromagnetic spectrum and the physics of red-shift.From here it more than briefly covers the tools of the trade, from binoculars to telescopes (including "Go-To" technology) to astrophotography, and includes a very informative section on buying a telescope.Then follows an ample chapter on the Solar System covering the Sun, Moon, and the planets and their satellites.All this fairly light reading is wrapped up with a chapter covering all the other lights in the sky, including meteors, asteroids, double and variable stars, clusters, nebulas, novae, etc., and discussing with some detail their technical aspects. Somehow, each page, though jam-packed with information, still manages to include at least two relevant pictures or graphics.The deep space pictures are simply gorgeous.
The last 98 pages of the book are my favorite part - a `starhopping' guide highlighting some twenty selected sections of the sky (each generally covering the area of an average constellation).Each section has a comprehensive map and a number of photographs to aid the aspiring astronomer.With each destination is a recommendation of how to view it (i.e. naked eye, binoculars, or telescope) and includes considerations such as necessary field of view, recommended power, and required aperture.After all, you don't want to waste your time trying to discern the arms and dust lanes of M61 (a face-on but dim spiral galaxy in the constellation Virgo) armed only with a 6 inch reflector.
The inclusion of the word `Advanced' in the title of this book will likely scare off a number of potential buyers.The decision to use it certainly involved a calculated risk by the publishers.I consider myself a knowledgeable beginner at best, (I'm purchasing my first telescope as I write this review) and I found this book to be almost spot-on for my needs.In fact, it played no small part in inspiring my purchase, and this in the face of my dear wife's protests.
Bottom line:If you're an armchair wannabe astronomer who's susceptible to the occasional weakness for impulse buying, and your unsympathetic spouse has imposed a moratorium on larger purchases for the foreseeable future, don't buy this book.On the other hand, perhaps spending a punitive night or two "sleeping on the couch" might not seem so bad if you happen to wake up in the middle of a starry night.

Advanced Skywatching is good, but there is one better
Advanced Skywatching is a good book. But the book "Practical Skywatching" gives you two books for the price of one. It literally contains the best of the books "Skywatching" and "Advance Skywatching" in one reference

Very Nice
Time was, the Nature Store was everywhere in Canada, and you could depend on them for just the right Xmas gift or whatever. That's gone now, but they left the excellent Nature Company Guides behind.

This is the book ofthose who have gone beyond "the stars are up there" stage butaren't at the Hawking level yet. I loved the crispy photos and the straightfrom the shoulder directions (not pretentious or dumb). I recommend ithighly if you want something with a little more meat to it. ... Read more

Product Description
Provides an introduction to the life and biography of Benjamin Banneker, the African American astronomer and mathematician who helped survey Washington, D.C., and who wrote several successful almanacs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great for Kids School Project Research
This book was a straightforward resource and just what we needed for a Marvelous Mathemetician Report!!Both my 3rd and 5th graders agree it was easy to read and had very accessible information!! ... Read more

Product Description
A complete guide for the amateur astronomer living in an urban or suburban center… The Urban Astronomer If you think a trip to the country is necessary to observe celestial objects, take a second look. Viewing the sky from an urban location can be just as fun and educational — if you know how to go about it. The Urban Astronomer shows amateur and more advanced astronomers the best ways and times to observe celestial objects from a city or suburban environment. Complete with detailed illustrations, The Urban Astronomer:

• Shows readers how to overcome the special problems of viewing the sky from cities and suburbs, such as light pollution
• Describes in detail those objects most easily viewed from a city location
• Includes many sky activities that can be enjoyed by novice and experienced urban astronomers
• Provides helpful tips and checklists for preparing your own stargazing outing
• Covers objects for naked-eye observation as well as those that need binoculars or telescopes and describes the best equipment for the urban stargazer

Customer Reviews (2)

Tailored for City Observing
Written by a professional astronomer who headed the NYC Parks dept metro astronomy program, this book details the types of objects and techniques for viewing them not found in any general amateur astronomy text.

A text for the beginning city observer,Matloff's book concentrates on subjects such as how to find your way around the sky when there are only a few dozen or less stars visible; what objects are are visible under such conditions; and deals with the Moon Sun and bright planets at leagth as these objects are the meat on the urban observer's plate.

Altogether, this book is recommended to those city dwellers who have a hesitant interest in astronomy, wondering just what can be seen under severely light polluted skies. Turns out there is a great deal after all and Matloff makes for a good beginning guide.

If looking for a guide to urban observing, SKIP THIS ONE.
This book mostly consists of introductory general information about astronomy. The gimmick of this book that gives it its title is the automatic insertion of the word "urban" in front of the word "astronomer", "astronomy", or "observer". The star charts included in the book are among the worst ever printed and depict all the stars as the same brightness. Don't waste your money on this one (I bought mine used). ... Read more

Product Description
Completely updated, this second edition gives a broad review of astronomical photometry to provide an understanding of astrophysics from a data-based perspective. It explains the underlying principles of the instruments used, and the applications and inferences derived from measurements. Each chapter has been fully revised to account for the latest developments, including the use of CCDs. Highly illustrated, this book provides an overview and historical background of the subject before reviewing the main themes within astronomical photometry. The central chapters focus on the practical design of the instruments and methodology used. The book concludes by discussing specialised topics in stellar astronomy, concentrating on the information derived from the analysis of the light curves of variable stars and close binary systems. It includes numerous bibliographic notes and a glossary of terms. It is ideal for graduate students, academic researchers and advanced amateurs interested in practical and observational astronomy. ... Read more