Product Description
Here is a unique and fascinating reference book for those who want to go beyond the Messier objects! Entries for each of more than 500 deep-sky objects provide far more than the usual astronomical data - they also give fascinating facts about each object. These include physical factors, astrophysical information, evolution, unusual features - the list is almost endless. The objects are all listed according to NGC number, i.e., in approximate order of location from west to east. This is convenient for observers because interesting objects that can be seen on a given night will usually occur within a few pages of each other in the book. The Messier objects are of course included, but are also listed separately in Messier number order. Astronomers can now get an insight into exactly what they are looking at, adding a new level of insight and enjoyment to deep-sky observing.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 1 review)

A guide for the knowledgeable astronomer by Donald E. Pensack (Los Angeles)

5 Stars
February 08, 2005
At last. A Guide to telescopically observable deep-sky objects that also contains astrophysical information about each one all in one book. This could replace hours of cross-referencing a variety of astronomical source books. Especially handy for any owner of today's GoTo telescope, it is also useful for the starhopper, as it contains chart numbers for a couple popular star atlases likely to be used by amateur astronomers. Other nearby objects are often only mentioned in the text for each object, so the book actually covers more than just 500 objects. If I can fault the book at all, it is the lack of small-scale finder charts for some of the objects that are in crowded fields of objects. You will have to have charts of some sort to make sense of the fields in which these objects lie. Perhaps in a second edition. There are many books for the amateur who wishes to expand beyond the basic 500 object lists, but there is a dearth of observing guides for the scientifically up-to-date amateur astronomer just expanding beyond the Messier list. This is one, and I recommend it. Don Pensack Los Angeles

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