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o1d_dude
o1der than dirt
Reged: 10/03/07
Posts: 1284
Loc: The Big Tomato, California
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Son number two sent me an Amazon gift card for Fathers Day and I did not allow any dust to gather on it.
I ordered the following items that I'd been saving in my cart and they arrived today.
1. Sky & Telescope's Mirror Image Field Map Of The Moon (illustrated by Antonin Rukl).
This is a much larger map than I expected. It's laminated and folds into quarters approximately 12" on a side. I'm quite pleased with this one.
2. Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders (O'Reilly Group)
This is an excellent resource. The first 64 pages are explanations of astronomy in general and how to use this volume to locate various objects. The remainder of the book is broken down by constellation in alphabetical order. Each constellation chapter features a listing of various objects, RA-DEC, etc. Significant items also have an image from the Digital Sky Survey and map spanning 12 degrees with a 5 degree finder circle and a 1 degree eyepiece circle. Unfortunately, a) these circles are not to the Telrad standard, b) nor are the maps drawn to a consistent image size which prevents the use of a Telrad finder transparency. This is a small quibble but may be an issue for some. Excellent reference otherwise.
3. Sky & Telescope's Deep-Sky Wonders (Walter Scott Houston)
This book is not a collection of Scotty's Deep Sky Wonders column as one might have expected. It's more of a blend of his columns edited by James O'Meara and arrayed in monthly chapters. The usual images, data tables, and drawing in a small format book (300 pages, 5"x8" approx). I've not yet read this book yet, only paged through it but am looking forward to spending a few enjoyable evenings with Scotty and James.
4. Sky & Telescope's Celestial Sampler; 60 Small-Scope Tours for Starlit Nights (Sue French)
This book in large format is in fact a collection of Sue's popular column. It begins with a general introduction to astronomy and features monthly sky-domes that most of us don't need but would be of considerable value to a newcomer. The four chapters that follow the introduction each contain 15 articles; five for each of the three months in the chapter. If you are a fan of Sue French, you will enjoy having this collection of monthly columns all in one volume. If you have a small telescope, this is an excellent observing guide, too.
There you have it: Four astronomical resources and not a clinker in the bunch. To quote Hannibal Smith "I love it when a plan comes together."
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Kit
"There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys." - Red Green
* A bunch of old ATM stuff that cost me next to nothing
* A bunch of new commercial stuff that cost me an arm and a leg
Edited by o1d_dude (06/25/08 12:42 PM)
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Thomas Pfleger
member
Reged: 04/25/06
Posts: 96
Loc: Hennef, Germany
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Hi,
Quote:
2. Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders (O'Reilly Group)
This is an excellent resource. The first 64 pages are explanations of astronomy in general and how to use this volume to locate various objects. The remainder of the book is broken down by constellation in alphabetical order. Each constellation chapter features a listing of various objects, RA-DEC, etc. Significant items also have an image from the Digital Sky Survey and map spanning 12 degrees with a 5 degree finder circle and a 1 degree eyepiece circle. Unfortunately, a) these circles are not to the Telrad standard, b) nor are the maps drawn to a consistent image size which prevents the use of a Telrad finder transparency. This is a small quibble but may be an issue for some. Excellent reference otherwise.
This book is by the Thompsons and I browsed it with joy in a book store. As there already are more observing guide books on my shelf than our bad weather allows me to make senseful use of, it remained at the shop. If I had none of the other resources, I had bought it, no doubt.
Just in case you don't know: they have published "Astronomy Hacks", too. This is the best single volume source on practical astronomy topics I've ever seen! The book claims to be the resource to be consulted if there is no human expert to ask nearby - and I think that this is not exaggerated.
Clear skies,
Tom
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LadyAstronomer
Bookworm
Reged: 11/15/07
Posts: 2945
Loc: Library of Congress
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When I saw the title of your post in the thread list I immediately thought, "Asromedia Corp. doesn't exist anymore," and wondered why they were sending you a care package.  
Congratulations on your purchases, Kit!
Tom: Ein Deutscher der RUSH mag! Toll!
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"I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me." -- Sir Isaac Newton
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Rick Woods
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 4104
Loc: Inner Solar System
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Quote:
1. Sky & Telescope's Mirror Image Field Map Of The Moon (illustrated by Antonin Rukl).
This is a much larger map than I expected. It's laminated and folds into quarters approximately 12" on a side. I'm quite pleased with this one.
Ah! This is a real winner, the best I've ever found.
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- Rick
14" LX200GPS
8" Meade 826C
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o1d_dude
o1der than dirt
Reged: 10/03/07
Posts: 1284
Loc: The Big Tomato, California
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Quote:
When I saw the title of your post in the thread list I immediately thought, "Asromedia Corp. doesn't exist anymore," and wondered why they were sending you a care package.
Fixed it, LA. Just an unfortunate choice of words on my part. No hidden agenda or subtext there.
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Kit
"There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys." - Red Green
* A bunch of old ATM stuff that cost me next to nothing
* A bunch of new commercial stuff that cost me an arm and a leg
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LadyAstronomer
Bookworm
Reged: 11/15/07
Posts: 2945
Loc: Library of Congress
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Kit, your wording was fine! There was no need to change it. I shared the above to illustrate how my mind works, probably something I shouldn't be doing in a public forum though, eh? 
Seriously, I didn't think you had any kind of "agenda or subtext" at all! My train of thought struck me as humorous, so I shared it. That's all!
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"I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me." -- Sir Isaac Newton
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o1d_dude
o1der than dirt
Reged: 10/03/07
Posts: 1284
Loc: The Big Tomato, California
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I recognized the humor in your statement but CN has a legitimate reason for the anti-vendor bashing policy so I didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea.
When composing this post late last night, I was trying to make to the subject line relate to the forum's name and should have used "Stellar Media" from the outset.
As to sharing your humorous thoughts, I do this regularly. Sometimes I later think, "That was out loud, wasn't it?" but most times it's okay.
Your thoughts (humorous or otherwise) are always welcome in my posts, LA.
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Kit
"There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys." - Red Green
* A bunch of old ATM stuff that cost me next to nothing
* A bunch of new commercial stuff that cost me an arm and a leg
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Rumba
member
Reged: 09/08/04
Posts: 39
Loc: Spain
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You're gonna LOVE Deep-sky Wonders.
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Thomas Pfleger
member
Reged: 04/25/06
Posts: 96
Loc: Hennef, Germany
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Quote:
Tom: Ein Deutscher der RUSH mag! Toll!
Whether you like Rush or not cannot depend on what nation you belong to. I admit that Germany's most important contributions to the world musical heritage stem from past centuries. What had music been without Bach, Beethoven and many other classical composers? Nowadays IMO there is hardly any good music coming from Germany with the exception of some great Jazz musicians like Klaus Doldinger, Wolfgang Haffner, Helmut Hattler or Eberhard Weber.
Rush has quite a lot of fans here in Germany, but I always wonder how people interested in art rock, "thinking man's metal" or other slightly progressive musical stuff manage to *not* know them. Rush influenced many bands of the prog rock / metal genre. In Dream Theater's "Score" concert DVD, John Petrucci states that he and bassist Myung came across Mike Portnoy because they heard him rehearse on a drum track by Neil Peart. And DT is not the only band influenced by Rush.
Rush's show last October in Germany was one of the most impressive concerts I ever attended. I'm looking forward for their DVD release from the Rotterdam show recorded just two days before I heard them :-)
What is most amazing with Rush: I always look for great music, exploring in classics, jazz, rock and metal. There are fantastic acts out there, even "more progressive" than Rush. For weeks, Rush CDs keep off my player. But then it happens, just as many times before: you realize that complexity is not what counts in the long run. I like Rush for their incredible drive and groove, intelligent texts, and the craftsmanship of Lerxst, Dirk and the Professor that simply is beyond what many like-to followers will never reach. And they deliver what any good music lives from: fantastic melodies! Take ten seconds from Rush and realize that some commercially successful "top acts" deliver less musical substance in a whole song or even album. But no need to argue since "music" can be anything from easy listening stuff intended as background sound for parties, shopping malls and elevators up to something purely divine like Anton Bruckner's great symphonies (composed without the help of synthesizers, sequencers or multi track audio recording software).
The most incredible in the Rush concert was the joy and power the guys were playing with - hungry and present like the ones that yet have to fight for their place in the Olymp for fine Rock. This reminded me of a Saga show some years ago. I had already thought that Saga had retired when I saw their concert announcement. They played good new stuff and much more songs from their great first four albums. The last song (after two encores before) was announced by Michael Sadler with the words: "Well, I think we may have forgotten one very important song". You guess it?
Sorry for this OT contribution, but maybe that someone reading it gives Rush a try. And if you like Rush, you might proceed with Dream Theater, Jordan Rudess, Transatlantic, Pagan's Mind (but ignore their silly texts), Spock's Beard, Symphony X or Joe Satriani. And for the absolutely brave hearted among you, there is Spiral Architect's single album entitled "A Sceptic's Universe". Think of something like a crossover between fusion jazz and progressive speed metal. It's not "free" but occasionally they play three or four concurrently running rhythm patterns before confluence is reached again. A bit hard to follow, but some bars are pure jaw droppers ;-)
Clear skies and happy listening,
Tom
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Rick Woods
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 4104
Loc: Inner Solar System
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I've never been a big fan of Rush, myself. Too bombastic for my taste.
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- Rick
14" LX200GPS
8" Meade 826C
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~Steph~
Texas Wildflower
Reged: 06/11/05
Posts: 21370
Loc: North Texas
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Uh guys, if you want to start a music discussion, why not start a new thread in OTO rather than derailing Kit's thread, okay? Or hop into the current astronomy music thread discussion here in Stellar Media, if it's astronomy-music related. Thanks!
Da Mean Ol' Mod 
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Steph
10" RCX400 ~~ 4" TV102 ~~ WO ZS80FD ~~ PST
Serenity Observatory 
HansenAstro | CN Member Websites
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