asaint
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/25/03
Posts: 2094
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The Urban Astronomer's Guide
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weezy
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/13/04
Posts: 1739
Loc: Colorado, USA
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I've got the book, also. Very good, and I know aperture rules. But most of these books make you feel guilty if a 4 inch scope is all you can manage. It's about 6 trips for me to set up the 102 and the Losmandy mount by myself. The Nighthawk I can get out in one trip. I see we have others here with back trouble or other disabilities that preclude larger scopes. How about a book that covers the smaller scopes positively? (60mm to 114mm)
Weezy
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3 cats
Orion 120ST
Stellarvue Nighthawk
Stellarvue 102APO
Shrine Manon 60mm
PST
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timmbottoni
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/25/05
Posts: 1373
Loc: W Chicago suburbs, IL USA
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Quote:
I've got the book, also. Very good, and I know aperture rules. But most of these books make you feel guilty if a 4 inch scope is all you can manage. It's about 6 trips for me to set up the 102 and the Losmandy mount by myself. The Nighthawk I can get out in one trip. I see we have others here with back trouble or other disabilities that preclude larger scopes. How about a book that covers the smaller scopes positively? (60mm to 114mm)
Weezy
I like the review and the book a lot as well...
I have actually been thinking about just this sort of book. Sort of a "What to Expect when you are a new 80mm telescope owner" sort of book. I doubt I have the resources to write and publish the book, but I would be happy to contribute to it.
Timm
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WO GTF 102, WO Megrez 80FD, Celestron C8, WO SWAN 33mm, WO UWANs 4mm, 7mm, 16mm, WO SPLs 3mm, 6mm, 12.5mm, WO Zoom II 7.5-22.5, WO EZTouch, SV F50B2 Finder
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jdlopez
super member
Reged: 01/17/07
Posts: 110
Loc: Miami, FL
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Quote:
I like the review and the book a lot as well...
Thanks! And I agree with both of you. I think the intent of Turn Left @ Orion was meant for really small scopes. I don't want to knock that book, (It's still my second favorite!), but some of the descriptions of objects are out there. I guess these guys wrote the book 20 years ago. Although they've revised it several times over the years, It's kind of hard for me to believe that these are the descriptions of DSO's in the "shadow of the George Washington Bridge". All while using a 90mm scope! And the fact that they don't discuss much technique in viewing those objects, makes The Urban Astronomer's Guide the run away winner, in terms of usefullness in viewing objects.
TL@O is a great book at trying to find objects, TUAG is a great book at observing objects. If that makes any sense...
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Javier
Miami, FL
Orion XT8i dob
2" 38mm Smart Astronomy SWA(Q70 Clone)
2" 30mm GSO Superview
2" GSO ED 2X Barlow
9mm Expanse Clone
15mm, 20mm GSO Superview
25mm, 10mm Orion Sirius Plossl
6mm GSO Plossl
Orion Shorty 2X Barlow
Orion Shorty 2x PLUS Barlow
GSO 3X Barlow
GSO ED 3X Barlow
Orion Ultrablock
Lumicon O-III
Rigel Quickfinder
Orion LaserMate Deluxe
Meade LPI
Meade ETX-90 (sold)
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mblack
Throw me a bone here
Reged: 10/31/05
Posts: 5651
Loc: Florida
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Nice review Javier.
I'm on the other side of the 'Alley' and face similar light pollution issues.
This book is something I will would like check out.
On a side note, agree with your assesment of M46. That little nebula hiding in there was a nice surprise.
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David
Dob XT10i ▪ MoonLite CR2
Enough light pollution to read by
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jdlopez
super member
Reged: 01/17/07
Posts: 110
Loc: Miami, FL
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David:
My dark sky spot is just between you and me. On Tamiami Trail...I try to get out there New Moon Weekend...
Thanks for the praise. I really do like the book
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Javier
Miami, FL
Orion XT8i dob
2" 38mm Smart Astronomy SWA(Q70 Clone)
2" 30mm GSO Superview
2" GSO ED 2X Barlow
9mm Expanse Clone
15mm, 20mm GSO Superview
25mm, 10mm Orion Sirius Plossl
6mm GSO Plossl
Orion Shorty 2X Barlow
Orion Shorty 2x PLUS Barlow
GSO 3X Barlow
GSO ED 3X Barlow
Orion Ultrablock
Lumicon O-III
Rigel Quickfinder
Orion LaserMate Deluxe
Meade LPI
Meade ETX-90 (sold)
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Michael Perata
member
Reged: 02/24/06
Posts: 42
Loc: San Jose, CA
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Nice review.
One of the problems I am having with urban viewing is getting a reference point to compare the comments made here and elsewhere.
John Bortle created a Light Pollution Scale and at my site in San Jose, CA I am usually a "Class 7: Suburban/urban transition"  and occasionally a "Class 6: Bright suburban sky".
How do your locations compare?
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Ross Creek Observatory
TMB 152/1200
Paramount ME
QSImaging 532wsi
SBIG ST-402 Guider
Porsche CayenneS hauler
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jdlopez
super member
Reged: 01/17/07
Posts: 110
Loc: Miami, FL
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My sky is odd with the Northern sky being the worst. I'd say I'm a class 7 on average with the Northern sky being a class 8 and the south west being a class 6. If that makes any sense.
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Javier
Miami, FL
Orion XT8i dob
2" 38mm Smart Astronomy SWA(Q70 Clone)
2" 30mm GSO Superview
2" GSO ED 2X Barlow
9mm Expanse Clone
15mm, 20mm GSO Superview
25mm, 10mm Orion Sirius Plossl
6mm GSO Plossl
Orion Shorty 2X Barlow
Orion Shorty 2x PLUS Barlow
GSO 3X Barlow
GSO ED 3X Barlow
Orion Ultrablock
Lumicon O-III
Rigel Quickfinder
Orion LaserMate Deluxe
Meade LPI
Meade ETX-90 (sold)
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jmcdonald
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/01/05
Posts: 1540
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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I bought this book and am very happy with it. It has some good pointers on starhopping/object location in the urban environment. It's also got some useful pointers on seeing more in an urban setting.
The object 'tours' are a lot of fun and are pretty helpful in finding and viewing some neat objects.
Lastly the book is inspirational for any one who doesn't have the opportunity to get to a dark site every weekend.
About everything in the book can be found elsewhere, but this is a very succinct package with a nice focus on urban (or suburban) viewing.
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Jerel
Discovery 12.5" modified truss DOB
Garret 15x70 LW Binoculars
IDA Membership
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