djohannsen
journeyman
Reged: 10/01/07
Posts: 9
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I am a novice viewer looking for a book recommendation from the knowledgeable crowd who hang out here. I have a couple of astronomy viewing guides (Sky & Telescope's "Binocular Highlights" and Tirion's "Deep Sky Observer's Guide"), but I would love more depth. In particular, in addition to lists of objects with brief descriptions of what one is seeing, I would love much more scientific detail (I would happily trade breadth for depth). I am not a physicist, but I am a professional mathematician, so I could handle something reasonably sophisticated (though not a graduate level astrophysics text). Can anyone recommend something along the lines that I have described? Alternatively, has anyone yet read "Astrophysics is Easy" by Inglis? The dust jacket description sounds intriguing, but I haven't yet been able to lay my hands on the book in order to give it a look. I would be grateful for any opinions.
Dave
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Arbacia
sage
Reged: 04/18/07
Posts: 383
Loc: Madrid, Spain
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I have also Scientific background. Check these:
"Webb Society Deep-Sky Observer´s Handbook". Several authors & volumes. Is a series of small books but quite interesting ones. Each book dedicated to a type of objects: Double stars, Clusters, etc.
"Burnham's Celestial Handbook". Three volumes. A real classic.
Recently, I ordered
"The Night Sky Observer's Guide" By Kepple & Sanner. ISBN-13: 978-0943396583
Probably you will enjoy the O'Meara's books "Deep sky companions: Messier Objects" DSC: Caldwell catalogue" and the last one "DSC: hidden treasures"
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LightBridge 12"
Celestron C8 (orange tube) on HEQ5
Set of Hyperion EPs; DMK 31AF03.AS
CN image gallery
http://www.asociacionhubble.org
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chanda7
super member
Reged: 08/06/07
Posts: 148
Loc: Southeast TN
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I was also going to recommend the O'Meara books. They may be just what you are looking for 
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Chanda
Orion XT8 Classic, ultra-cheap 10x50 binoculars
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RichardHK
sage
Reged: 11/25/06
Posts: 392
Loc: Hong Kong
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>...so I could handle something reasonably sophisticated <
A third recommendation for the O'Meara books here. And although still marketed as a viewing guide as such, Sue French's 'Celestial Sampler' has a wonderful depth of detail and enjoyable reading. Chockablock full of good stuff.
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Richard Entwistle, Hong Kong
ETX-125, SV90TBV, & PST scopes
Canon 15x50-IS & Fujinon 7x50 bins
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Arbacia
sage
Reged: 04/18/07
Posts: 383
Loc: Madrid, Spain
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>Sue French's 'Celestial Sampler'<
I agree. Becouse of the size, and details, It is part also of my field guides. As RichardHK said: "enjoyable reading"
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LightBridge 12"
Celestron C8 (orange tube) on HEQ5
Set of Hyperion EPs; DMK 31AF03.AS
CN image gallery
http://www.asociacionhubble.org
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btschumy
Think Astronomy
Reged: 04/13/04
Posts: 1110
Loc: Austin, TX, USA
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You might check out the "Concise Catalog of Deep-sky Objects: Astrophysical Information for 500 Galaxies, Clusters and Nebulae" by W.H. Finlay.
This great little book gives a paragraph or two about each object, telling why it is astrophysically interesting.
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Bill Tschumy
Where is M13? Freeware -- Add a new dimension to your observing.
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Jaxdialation
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/01/07
Posts: 1804
Loc: St. Augustine, FL
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I highly recommend "The Night Sky Observer's Guide" By Kepple & Sanner.
Excellent mix of astronomical information, along with locating and viewing tips.
But for going deep: Burnham's Celestial Handbook
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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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Michael Morris
Member
Reged: 01/05/05
Posts: 1345
Loc: Worcestershire, UK
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A little bit off topic (but not much), if you want a book that goes into depth about the Moon, I can thoroughly recommend 'A Modern Moon', by Charles Wood.
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Michael Morris
8" LX200 classic
Orion 80ED
ETX 90 (Grab 'n' Go)
Observatory Almira Observatory Website
Co-author of NightCal Astronomical Observing Calendar Software http://www.nightcal.co.uk
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chexmix
sage
Reged: 12/01/04
Posts: 346
Loc: Arlington, MA, USA
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Quote:
A little bit off topic (but not much), if you want a book that goes into depth about the Moon, I can thoroughly recommend 'A Modern Moon', by Charles Wood.
Very much seconded. Extremely well written and crammed with info by someone who also seems to be a really nice guy (I know that's secondary but somehow for me it factors in). 
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8" Discovery DHQ
Celestron C102-HD
9x63 Orion mini-giants
(2) Frontally-placed visual organs, incl. lens, vitreous/aqueous humors, assorted rods, cones.
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30032
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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It's easier to "listen" to information presented by nice people. 
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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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John Flannery
sage
Reged: 12/03/04
Posts: 303
Loc: Dublin, Ireland
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Quote:
Extremely well written and crammed with info by someone who also seems to be a really nice guy (I know that's secondary but somehow for me it factors in).
Hi folks,
Agree totally with the "Modern Moon" being an excellent read. It is a great overview of the geological processes on the Moon as a whole by a scientist who was involved at the time of the Apollo missions. If you want to read an interview with Charles Wood then you might like to download the November/December 2004 issue of Arcturus from our club web site http://www.southdublinastronomy.org/wiki/Arcturus
I'd also echo the comments about "Celestial Sampler" and many other books mentioned in the thread -- all are equally excellent in conveying a sense of "what" you are seeing.
Mike Inglis also wrote another book called "Field Guide to the Deep Sky Objects" which gives a bit of astrophysical information behind each class of deep sky object as well as examples of each you can view. Very interesting book and whets the appetite to delve into other core books on particular types of deep sky object such as "Star Clusters" by Archinal and Hynes.
The Springer series of Practical Observing Guides have various titles on specific classes of objects such as "Star Clusters" by Mark Allison, "Nebulae" by Steve Coe, "Planetary Nebulae", by Owen Brazell (not yet published), and much more.
I've seen mention of "Astrophysics is Easy" and would be interested seeing what it's all about too. I think the Amazon web site allows you "Browse Inside" where the table of contents is viewable.
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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deepsky
sage
Reged: 12/04/05
Posts: 210
Loc: oregon
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Quote:
I would love more depth. In particular, in addition to lists of objects with brief descriptions of what one is seeing, I would love much more scientific detail (I would happily trade breadth for depth). I am not a physicist, but I am a professional mathematician, so I could handle something reasonably sophisticated (though not a graduate level astrophysics text).
Dave
All of the above suggestions are good ones for observational astronomy.
If you would like more rigor as a professionally trained mathematician, then something like
Galaxies in the Universe : An Introduction
Sparke and Gallagher
Cambridge University Press 2000
might interest you. This textbook is aimed at upper division undergraduate students in physics and astronomy and discusses the astrophysics of Stars, Galaxies and Groups of Galaxies with all the rigorous mathematics thrown in for your reading pleasure. 
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jim jackson
Astroleague Observer Award junkie
Messier Club-Honorary
Lunar Club
Binocular Messier Club
Double Star Club
Herschel 400 Club
Urban Observing Club
Deep Sky Binocular Club
Caldwell Club Silver&Gold
Southern Sky Binocular Club
Southern Sky Telescopic Club
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djohannsen
journeyman
Reged: 10/01/07
Posts: 9
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I'm sorry that I haven't been around to be more involved in this thread, but I just haven't been able to get to the computer for a couple of days. I am grateful for all the recommendations - there's a lot to digest here. My first choice would be a completely rigorous astrophysics book, however I just don't know enough physics to make my way through such a text. Besides that, physicists just make me crazy when they do mathematics - they are so imprecise and so lacking in rigor that I just want to pull my hair out! So, I do feel a bit stuck between a rock and a hard place - imprecise hand waving is not satisfying, but I don't have the background to really grok the physics.
Well, there is much here for me to work through... Some of these can be had quite inexpensively through Amazon (I'm OK with buying used books), so I will definitely be acting on many of the recommendations. It will be fun to do a bit of reading to find something just at the level that I will find satisfying. Again, thanks to everyone for being so generous with your time.
Dave
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