Chris Graham
mmmm...Haggis
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 4869
Loc: Stirling, Scotland
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First off, Hi Everyone!
I'm looking for a reference book on the planets with detailed information regarding different features to look out for while viewing through a scope.
I have the set of Deep Sky Companions and find these great but really need a good one on the Planets.
One with good maps and pictures would help.
Not asking much eh?
Thanks
Chris
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-Skywatcher 8" Reflector on HEQ5 with Skyscan
-Orion ED80 Refractor
-70mm Guidescope/grab and go scope
-Canon EOS 350D
-Toucam Pro 2
Astronomy & Veggies
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28617
Loc: montana
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Chris, this is something I'd be very interested in also, so we'll ask together. 
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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macpurity
super member
Reged: 10/24/04
Posts: 115
Loc: Maryland, USA
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As a general introduction, I like Patrick Moore's Firefly book, "Guide to Stars and Planets." When observing planets, the "features" you might see are rather minimal (phases for inferior planets, ice cap changes for Mars, Galilean satellite movement, banding & red spot for Jupiter, ring angle changes for Saturn, etc.) But a little book like Moore's is just the ticket for getting started. Have fun!
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LivingNDixie
Lord of Ferrets
Reged: 04/23/03
Posts: 15790
Loc: Hoover, AL
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I have used this one a few times from the library link . It is not perfect though.
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Preston
Celestron 11" Nexstar GPS XLT
Lunt LS60T/Ha 60mm f/8.33 (on order)
It’s not finishing something when your tank is empty that makes you a stronger person. It’s brushing yourself off and refacing the foe that defeated you with the same determination and willingness to fight that you had when you began your journey.
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Arbacia
sage
Reged: 04/18/07
Posts: 383
Loc: Madrid, Spain
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LivingNDixie, The book of Price is OK.
Chris Graham, look aldo the series "How to observe them" (Springer)
The moon and How to observe it. (peter grego) is fairly good. In the same series is Saturn (which I order recently). Jupiter will be launch soon.
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LightBridge 12"
Celestron C8 (orange tube) on HEQ5
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CN image gallery
http://www.asociacionhubble.org
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John Flannery
sage
Reged: 12/03/04
Posts: 303
Loc: Dublin, Ireland
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Hi Chris,
I can't think of one book on the planets which would cover all bases but the various suggestions already mentioned offer good choices. In addition, the Philip's Observing Guide series are also very nice (The Sun, The Moon, The Planets, and Mars) ... any bookshop should have them and they are nice pocket-sized publications.
Another possibility is Clay Sherrod's "Complete Manual of Amateur Astronomy". The one linked to here is only a reprint rather than an update of the original, but the book does go into a bit of detail on observing the planets and other objects. No maps or pictures but lots of diagrams. Price is nice too ... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Manual-Amateur-Astron-Astronomical/dp/0486428206/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196163585&sr=1-1
I'd also recommend looking at the observing guides on Sky and Telescope's web site ... http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/planets. They are a rich resource of information on what you can see on the planets. The Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO) also have good resources at http://alpo-astronomy.org/ as have the Astronomical League ( http://www.astroleague.org/ )
All the best,
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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Chris Graham
mmmm...Haggis
Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 4869
Loc: Stirling, Scotland
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Thanks for the replys.
I did find "The Planet Observer's Handbook" which does seem very good om Amazon too (thanks Preston).
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Observers-Handbook-Cacg/dp/0521442575/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196192455&sr=8-2
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-Skywatcher 8" Reflector on HEQ5 with Skyscan
-Orion ED80 Refractor
-70mm Guidescope/grab and go scope
-Canon EOS 350D
-Toucam Pro 2
Astronomy & Veggies
Edited by Chris Graham (11/27/07 02:44 PM)
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photonovore
Moonatic
Reged: 12/24/04
Posts: 2472
Loc: tacoma wa
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I think you would like Peter grego's The Solar System Observer's Guide. I have a copy and found it very well done definitely with the amateur *observer* in mind. There is a review here by Universe Today.
Grego goes into considerable detail as to what is visible of each objects features. Included are many drawings made at the eyepiece, charts & maps, and physical details of the planets and their major moons--and much on "what to look for"... Very well illustrated and written for the amateur specifically. (Did i mention it is inexpensive as well?)
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Mardi
4" achromat, ETX-70.
Whitepeak Lunar Observatory Website
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30031
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Quote:
I think you would like Peter grego's The Solar System Observer's Guide. I have a copy and found it very well done definitely with the amateur *observer* in mind. There is a review here by Universe Today.
Grego goes into considerable detail as to what is visible of each objects features. Included are many drawings made at the eyepiece, charts & maps, and physical details of the planets and their major moons--and much on "what to look for"... Very well illustrated and written for the amateur specifically. (Did i mention it is inexpensive as well?)
If he has done this one as well as his lunar observing guides, it should be worth checking out.
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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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JoeF
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/18/05
Posts: 1112
Loc: 'Sunny Loftus' - N E England
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The Solar System Observer's Guide is published in UK by Philips and if not on the shelves can easily be ordered from Smiths/Borders/Waterstones etc for £9.99. Well worth having. Philips also do a Mars Observer Guide by Neil Bone.
Joe
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Orion Optics 200mm f6 & Accufocus on GP/E Mount
Opticron BGA 10x50 Binos
NELM 5.2 rural skies
Under tripod canine footwarmer
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Peter Argenziano
Watcher of the Skies
Reged: 11/11/03
Posts: 2813
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Chris,
I would wholeheartedly recommend The Planet Observer's Handbook by Fred W. Price.
Cambridge University Press
ISBN 0521789818 (the paperback second edition that I own)
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Peter
14.5" Starmaster
I hail from the explosive jetsam of a multitude of high-mass stars that died more than 5 billion years ago.
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