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CygnutzX1
member
Reged: 10/11/07
Posts: 69
Loc: Pontiac IL
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What would be good field book for locating Messier objects with a Dob w\ Telrad finder for around $30 or under?
Thanks
Mark
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EmeraldHills
sage
Reged: 11/26/06
Posts: 404
Loc: Louisville, Kentucky
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The standard is:
http://cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=161
But if budget is a problem, just use:
http://www.utahskies.org/deepsky/messier/charts/messierTelradFrameSet.html
http://www.messiermarathon.com/
or
http://www.aanc-astronomy.org/messiermarathon.html
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Doug L. -- Celestron CPC800 GPS (XLT)
Denkmeier "Shorty" PowerSwitch / Tele Vue 32mm Plossl, 12mm Nagler Type 4, 9mm Nagler Type 6
DewBuster / Dew-not heater setup -- Bushnell 8x56 Trophy binoculars
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Jaxdialation
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 1804
Loc: St. Augustine, FL
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The best book IMO will be found here:
http://www.duchekconsult.com/telrad_finder_charts.htm
Accurate, laminated, built for field use, folds flat, constellation-based - flip to Cygnus, bang there is every Messier targeted and described on one page.
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John
SST/Tak/RCOS/SBIG/CCDWare
I started CCD AP December '07 Why didn't someone stop me?
New Zhumell Owner? Read this: New Zhumell Owner Upgrade Mega Thread
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gripweed44
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/12/05
Posts: 905
Loc: PDX
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Starwatch by Harrington is the best book for the Messier list in my OPINION
It shows how to find all of the Messier objects plus others with charts and descriptions of what you will see in Binocs and different scopes. It really helped me finish the Messier list.
Cheers
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John
Omega Centauri is the finest Globular I have seen with my own eyes.
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30032
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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There is certainly no shortage of options. I use the Pennington book, especially when actually 'running' a Messier Marathon. Another book I've found useful is this one:
The Next Step (review)
Deep Sky Companion: The Messier Objects by O'Meara is also very popular. I did not find it as useful in finding the objects as some of the others, but the amount of information present about the objects is enormous, and is written in a style that makes the book an enjoyable read on a cloudy night.
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
Alcohol and calculus do not mix. Please don't drink and derive.
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RichardHK
sage
Reged: 11/25/06
Posts: 392
Loc: Hong Kong
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Agree with Tom. Stephen O'Meara's book is a fine read.
You can find a fabulous free PDF copy of "The Messier Objects Observing Challenge" written by John Flannery and others on the following page of the Irish Federation of Astronomical Societies:
http://www.irishastronomy.org/observers/challenges/index.php
Not just Guinness from Ireland these days you know. Full of high-tech industries, great music, and lots more. 
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Richard Entwistle, Hong Kong
ETX-125, SV90TBV, & PST scopes
Canon 15x50-IS & Fujinon 7x50 bins
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dlferree
super member
Reged: 06/20/06
Posts: 119
Loc: Rio Rico, Arizona
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Hi Richard,
Great website. I've completed the Messier list previously, but plan on re-observing and sketching them now that I have a little more experience. I've printed a copy of the book and plan on using the sketch sheets to record my comments and sketches.
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Dave
DSH-10
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John Flannery
sage
Reged: 12/03/04
Posts: 303
Loc: Dublin, Ireland
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Hi Richard,
Many thanks for mention of the site. I'm afraid we ran out of gas a bit in terms of other booklets we were considering doing  The IFAS site doesn't allow us post up files at the moment but I've a slightly revised binocular handbook done up (more to fill out the bibliography with recently published binocular books). I think Steve O'Meara has a binocular book due out in late-Spring 2008 to add to the pot.
As Tom has already mentioned, the late Harvard Pennington's book is really, really good. It is crafted by an observer for observers. Ken Graun's "The Next Step" is very nice too.
Well, it's cloudy outside here again so another night peering into the dark (stuff) is called for again  Only sporadic views of Comet 17P/Holmes but what a comet!
atb,
John
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Oscail do Shuile D'iontas na Cruinne/Open Your Eyes to the Wonder of the Universe
Bliann Idirnáisiúnta Réalteolaíochta 2009/International Year of Astronomy 2009
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