Starman1
Vendor - Scope City
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 11091
Loc: Los Angeles
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Congratulations to Steve Coe!
I've just finished reading his wonderful new book, "Nebulae and How to Observe Them".
Unlike the previous guide in the Springer series (on Star Clusters), this one gets it right:
--the summary for the beginner contains useful information
--the catalog of observing objects is large and contains a lot of fascinating objects.
--spellcheck and grammar check have been employed, so we who notice such things will be happy at the absence of errors.
--the book organization is near-perfect, and the object catalog (close to 2/3 of the book) is written in a conversational style that makes it entertaining to read despite the possible pitfalls of dry descriptions of objects. I really got a sense I was there when Steve describes seeing such-and-such a nebula under specific conditions and at certain places.
I could go into greater depth about the observations, but I think you all should get this book and read about the objects for yourselves. A lot of the "key" nebulae left out of the descriptive section (no pun intended) are included in the much-longer list in the appendix.
An excellent book and worthy of a place beside Hynes' "Planetary Nebulae" on my reference shelves.
Recommended Highly.
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Don Pensack
12.5" Truss Dob, 5" Maksutov
Sustaining Lifetime IDA member, TeleVue junkie
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Mr. Bill
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/09/05
Posts: 2791
Loc: Just passing through.....
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Thanks for the heads up, Don....
Looks like a good addition to my collection.
OBTW....do you have a copy of Cosmic Butterflies by Sun Kwok....good readable book on PNs.
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10x50 Fujinon FMT-SX binos
15x70 AP binos + Paragon p-mount
Oberwerk 100BT 45 degree + Hercules fork mount
120mm f/5 Orion achromat + Moonlite focuser
140mm f/5.7 Vixen NeoAchro Petzvel refractor
150mm f/6.5 Antares achromat
150mm f/8 homemade achromat....EE Barnard MW Sweeper
8 inch newt with f/5 Swayze mirror
10 inch f/4.7 Orion newt + Paracorr
15 inch f/5 Discovery split tube
35mm Pan, 26mm Nagler, 17mm Nagler, 13mm Ethos, 8mm Ethos
Member IDA
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dgs©
Postmaster
Reged: 03/29/04
Posts: 14081
Loc: West Monroe, Louisiana
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I think I'm getting a copy for Christmas. 
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- david
8"Ø Newtonian on SVP, Moonlite CR2, Telrad
PST Oberwerk Ultra 15x70 Orion Ultraview 10×50
Hand-me-down Sears Refractor (Discoverer) 60mm×900mm
"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world, remains and is immortal." --Albert Pike
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John Jarosz
I'm being watched...
Reged: 04/25/04
Posts: 2207
Loc: Chicago area, IL
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Thanks Don,
I have 5 of the Springer books (my latest is the new "Binocular Astronomy" by CN member Stephen Tonkin) and now you tell me there's another I have to have. 
I love the format of the books as they are great for traveling. But I am starting to build up quite an inventory.
I think the newer books in this series are better than some of the older ones. The newer books seem to concentrate more on observing and seeing. I shall put this one on my list too.
The new "Urban Astronomer's Guide" is a good one too.
Thanks
John
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6" F4.6(w/Paracorr) GEM reflector, 8" F11 Dall Relay Scope
6" F5 RFT Refractor, Garrett Gemini 20x80 LW
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stevecoe
Reged: 04/24/04
Posts: 2148
Loc: Arizona, USA
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Don;
Thank you for the kind words. I am quite happy with the book and the final result. It did allow me to travel to Australia and write it off on my income taxes last year. That was fun.
I have been fortunate to write some articles for Astronomy Magazine as well. Now that I have all those observations, it is nice to be able to use them.
A big "thank you" to the astrophotographers who were nice enough to contribute their images. I have a few shots, but many are from real experts.
Clear Skies to us all;
Steve Coe
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150mm 6" f/8 Celestron Refractor on Sirius Mount
80mmED 3" f/7.5 Orion Refractor
Author "Deep Sky Observing" Springer-Verlag
Author "Nebulae and How to Observe Them" Springer
New Canon Xt astrocamera with Hutech modification
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kfred
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2038
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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Can anyone provide a link to this book?
Fred
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River Cam - Cambridge England
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Starman1
Vendor - Scope City
Reged: 06/24/03
Posts: 11091
Loc: Los Angeles
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Here:
Amazon.com link
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Don Pensack
12.5" Truss Dob, 5" Maksutov
Sustaining Lifetime IDA member, TeleVue junkie
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stevecoe
Reged: 04/24/04
Posts: 2148
Loc: Arizona, USA
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I got an email that said Amazon is not shipping my book, yet. I went to the "springer.com" site and found the book and it says that they are shipping in 2-3 days.
From the home page, use the pull down menu to choose "practical astronomy" and then either search for my last name "Coe" or the book is found down 3 screens.
Let me know what you think;
Steve Coe
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150mm 6" f/8 Celestron Refractor on Sirius Mount
80mmED 3" f/7.5 Orion Refractor
Author "Deep Sky Observing" Springer-Verlag
Author "Nebulae and How to Observe Them" Springer
New Canon Xt astrocamera with Hutech modification
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John Jarosz
I'm being watched...
Reged: 04/25/04
Posts: 2207
Loc: Chicago area, IL
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Funny you should post that note about Amazon.
The mailman just rang my doorbell as I was reading your post. He had your book from Amazon for me.
Have a great holiday
John
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6" F4.6(w/Paracorr) GEM reflector, 8" F11 Dall Relay Scope
6" F5 RFT Refractor, Garrett Gemini 20x80 LW
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csa/montana
Den Mother
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 30260
Loc: montana
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Don: I highly recommend it also; I have both of Steve's books, & they are the ultimate for observers!
Steve writes as if he was sitting next to you observing & gently guiding you. He has a marvelous, unique style; not to mention, the tons of information packed between the covers of his books!
Thank you Steve! (Especially for the autographed copy!)
Carol
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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kestrel0222
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/21/06
Posts: 2338
Loc: Milford, Michigan
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Don,
Thanks for posting the review.
I hope to get my copy for X-mas, if not, I'll be ordering one the next day!!!
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Tom
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azsrr
sage
Reged: 11/06/05
Posts: 432
Loc: Phoenix, Arizona
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Quote:
Steve writes as if he was sitting next to you observing & gently guiding you. He has a marvelous, unique style; not to mention, the tons of information packed between the covers of his books!Carol
I agree -- great book. And come to Arizona for a SAC star party and you CAN have Steve next to you. I can say from personal experience that he is most generous with his advice and time, and is a wonderful teacher.
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Steve
Celestron CPC-800 XLT / Hyperstar
TeleVue NP101 APO
Orion SkyQuest XT12i / Feathertouch Focuser
Nikon D300 & Canon G9
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stevecoe
Reged: 04/24/04
Posts: 2148
Loc: Arizona, USA
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Steve, Carol, et al;
Thank you very much for your generous feedback.
I also think it is bizarre that Amazon would show that the delivery date is in January for the book and then it arrives on Dec. 23. I don't understand all that I know about the book selling business;-)
Regardless, I appreciate the glowing reports.
Clear Skies to us all;
Steve Coe
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150mm 6" f/8 Celestron Refractor on Sirius Mount
80mmED 3" f/7.5 Orion Refractor
Author "Deep Sky Observing" Springer-Verlag
Author "Nebulae and How to Observe Them" Springer
New Canon Xt astrocamera with Hutech modification
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Cygnus_x1
Sketcher Extraordinaire
Reged: 11/17/04
Posts: 2120
Loc: Isle of Wight, England
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I'm looking forward to the arrival of my copy, Steve. Amazon have given Jan 3rd as a dispatch date. I love your 'Deep Sky Observing' book, so am looking forward to reading this one.
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Visual Deep Sky Observing
Visual Astronomy blog
Fotopic astronomy gallery My photos from astronomy events, etc
8x42 binoculars 'light thimble'
4" refractor and 4" Meade SCT 'light cups'
12" Dobsonian 'light bucket'
Various TeleVue eyepieces
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kestrel0222
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 05/21/06
Posts: 2338
Loc: Milford, Michigan
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Since I didn't get my copy for Christmas, I'll have to order one ASAP.
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Tom
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Cygnus_x1
Sketcher Extraordinaire
Reged: 11/17/04
Posts: 2120
Loc: Isle of Wight, England
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*Apologies for resurrecting an old thread* I have finally got to order a copy of this, hopefully it'll turn up next week. I look forward to reading it, especially if it's as good as the excellent The Astronomical Tourist: Deep Sky Observing, also by Steve.
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Visual Deep Sky Observing
Visual Astronomy blog
Fotopic astronomy gallery My photos from astronomy events, etc
8x42 binoculars 'light thimble'
4" refractor and 4" Meade SCT 'light cups'
12" Dobsonian 'light bucket'
Various TeleVue eyepieces
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laotzu
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/05/07
Posts: 662
Loc: west bend,wisconsin
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another book to buy!! and thanks for the link, cygnus x1. (love this rodent!) 
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"the symbol is not the reality"
stellarvue 80/9D
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stevecoe
Reged: 04/24/04
Posts: 2148
Loc: Arizona, USA
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Cygnus, laotzu;
I hope that you enjoy the book and I look forward to a review once you have read it.
Clear Skies to us all;
Steve Coe
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150mm 6" f/8 Celestron Refractor on Sirius Mount
80mmED 3" f/7.5 Orion Refractor
Author "Deep Sky Observing" Springer-Verlag
Author "Nebulae and How to Observe Them" Springer
New Canon Xt astrocamera with Hutech modification
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Jaxdialation
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 1874
Loc: St. Augustine, FL
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I've owned this book for several months. I've recently re-read it cover to cover.
I don't use it in the field, but for planning I find it very valuable. Very well-written, and engaging style.
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John
Stuff I got: Takahashi TSA102 & EM400, RCOS 10RCA, SBIG ST-10 & STL 6303, AP 1200GTO, Tons of CCDWare Apps
Stuff I don't got: Z10, StarStructure 14.5", Tak EM-200, Modded Cannon 450, FSQ, STL11K
I started astro-imaging December, 2007
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stevecoe
Reged: 04/24/04
Posts: 2148
Loc: Arizona, USA
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John;
That is precisely the use I saw for the book when I sat down to write it. There are plenty of field books out there, and more and more "in house" books for reference, but I think an author needs to choose first.
Thank you
Steve Coe
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150mm 6" f/8 Celestron Refractor on Sirius Mount
80mmED 3" f/7.5 Orion Refractor
Author "Deep Sky Observing" Springer-Verlag
Author "Nebulae and How to Observe Them" Springer
New Canon Xt astrocamera with Hutech modification
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