mikiek
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/10/07
Posts: 838
Loc: SE Texas
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Any one know a good book on asterisms? I saw a couple on Amazon but was not all that impressed.
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May there always be starlight on the path - R.Burnham
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Celestron CPC 1100
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JimK
member
Reged: 09/18/05
Posts: 86
Loc: Albuquerque, NM USA
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The only one that I have READ of is:
Asterisms for Small Telescopes and Binoculars
by John C. Raymond
I've not seen it, so I cannot comment on it.
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edwincjones
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/10/04
Posts: 4206
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Quote:
The only one that I have READ of is:
Asterisms for Small Telescopes and Binoculars
by John C. Raymond
I've not seen it, so I cannot comment on it.
I got the book to use for public star parties with binoculars, but most of the objects are more for telescopes. The detail and star maps are good.
edj
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n w arkansas
Binocular, Solar, General Amateur Astronomy
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John Flannery
sage
Reged: 12/03/04
Posts: 294
Loc: Dublin, Ireland
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Hi Mikiek,
I saw the other Asterisms book recently in a book store in Dublin and was not impressed with that one either. It's the one called "Pattern Asterisms" at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pattern-Asterisms-Patrick-Practical-Astronomy/dp/1846283272/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214327912&sr=8-3
The book seems to be an author made-up list of patterns to help you remember your way to objects rather than genuine asterisms noted by deep-sky observers.
The Saguaro Astronomy Club's list at http://www.saguaroastro.org/content/downloads.htm is probably the best resource on the well known asterisms (direct link is http://www.saguaroastro.org/content/db/AA_SAC_Asterisms_ver25.zip ).
I know one of the Yahoo/Google deep-sky observer groups maintains a list of telescopic asterisms but I can't remember where. Sorry about that.
"Star Clusters" (Willmann-Bell) by Brent Archinal/Steven Hynes also has a number of asterisms listed while Archinal's "Non-existent star clusters of the NGC" (Webb Society) describes NGC objects that have turned out to be either asterisms or ghost objects. I'd also recommend checking out the SEDS web site on "The Discovery of the Deep-Sky Objects" which lists many pre-telescopic deep-sky objects, a number of which turned out to be asterisms or patches of the Milky Way. The site is at http://seds.org/messier/Xtra/history/deepskyd.html
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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gubbenimanen
sage
Reged: 08/09/05
Posts: 265
Loc: Sweden
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Quote:
I know one of the Yahoo/Google deep-sky observer groups maintains a list of telescopic asterisms but I can't remember where. Sorry about that.
Maybe the Deep Sky Hunters Yahoo group?
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Roger
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Chicken-Leg
member
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 78
Loc: spiral arms
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I happen to have a prototype copy of Asterisms for Small T&B. (on regular paper, not the heavy stock) John told me there are less than 60 copies in existence due to the high cost of the paper. I seem him every now and then at public observing.
Regards,
C-L
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Meade ETX 178
Discovery 12.5" Truss
Round Table Platform
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PhilH
sage
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 222
Loc: Long Island, NY
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Quote:
The only one that I have READ of is:
Asterisms for Small Telescopes and Binoculars
by John C. Raymond
I've not seen it, so I cannot comment on it.
Throwing in my $0.02, John's book Asterisms for Small Telescopes and Binoculars is about the best in print today. I discuss about 2 dozen asterisms in my binocular book and add several more in The Deep Sky: An Introduction, but John's book is more complete IMHO.
Two links to visit regarding asterisms:
http://seds.org/Maps/Const/asterism.html
http://www.saguaroastro.org/content/downloads.htm
The latter is Steve Coe's extensive database, which every asterism enthusiast should have.
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Phil Harrington
"Binocular Universe" Columnist, Astronomy magazine
Author: Star Ware || Star Watch || Touring the Universe through Binoculars || et al...
http://www.philharrington.net
http://www.observingsites.com
"Two eyes are better than one!"
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Thomas_N
member
Reged: 07/07/08
Posts: 25
Loc: Germany, Bavarian Forest
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There are so many beautiful patterns which makes it hard "to have them all". Just to make a point: Here is one pattern (in the constellation Taurus, inside the Hyades) which I found on my own which is not inside the SAC-list:
Isn't that a beauty? It looks either like the witch-house from Hansel and Gretel  or - if you turn your head 45° to the left) like a butterfly. Later I heard that it is known as "mirror moth asterism".
Every time I'm stargazing 10x50 I find new ones. I guess it will be very difficult to come up with a comprehensive list. Next problem will be naming: "Pretzel asterism?? Naw! That looks like a necklace!"
Thomas
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helpwanted
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/04/07
Posts: 1660
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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i like NGC 6910... "why" do you ask??? just have a look!
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100mm f6 Achro
XT8 (8" f6)
EPs: Hyper, Pan, Axiom, TMB
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mikiek
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/10/07
Posts: 838
Loc: SE Texas
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I went ahead and ordered Asterisms for Small Telescopes and Binoculars. Overall I'm pretty disappointed with it. The objects are described well, the observation info is well organized and the charts are execellent. HOWEVER I really have to question the choice of objects. I was hoping for some things I could show folks at public viewings when they get tired of the Moon or planets. Stuff like the Stargate or the '37'. This guy sees 2 or 3 stars close together in no particular pattern and calls it an asterism. The majority of the items in the book fall into this category. Maybe it's me and I just don't truly know the astronomical definition of asterism, but this book (or at least the objects described) would not be of interest to a public viewer and I'm not particularly interested either.
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___________________________________________________________
May there always be starlight on the path - R.Burnham
___________________________________________________________
Celestron CPC 1100
Radian 3mm, 5mm, 8mm, 12mm
Panoptic 22mm, 27mm, 35mm(the brick), 41mm (the cinder block)
Nagler 3-6 zoom, T4 17mm
Ethos 13mm
Powermate 2X
Everbrite Diagonal 2"
FeatherTouch Microfocuser
FeatherTouch Crayford
SV 9x50 RACI
Telrad Finder
Kendrick Dew System
SV-80S (riding the CPC)
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PhilH
sage
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 222
Loc: Long Island, NY
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Quote:
I went ahead and ordered Asterisms for Small Telescopes and Binoculars. Overall I'm pretty disappointed with it.
I'm sorry to hear that, especially since I'm the one who mentioned it. The reason I like it is because the author has included some that I've never seen discussed elsewhere. True, all are not gems, but there are a few interesting targets in there. And I thought his charts were pretty good.
There is another book on the subject, called Pattern Asterisms that you might prefer. I don't recall the author, but it is published by Springer. It struck me as very expensive for what you get, and the printing quality is especially poor IMHO.
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Phil Harrington
"Binocular Universe" Columnist, Astronomy magazine
Author: Star Ware || Star Watch || Touring the Universe through Binoculars || et al...
http://www.philharrington.net
http://www.observingsites.com
"Two eyes are better than one!"
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John Flannery
sage
Reged: 12/03/04
Posts: 294
Loc: Dublin, Ireland
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Hi Phil and everyone,
Hope all is well.
I've a link to the Pattern Asterisms book earlier in this thread and have seen it in the bookstore in Dublin. I wasn't that impressed by the content to be honest.
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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Thomas_N
member
Reged: 07/07/08
Posts: 25
Loc: Germany, Bavarian Forest
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Aaaaaah. Now I'm getting mad! What IS it, that you don't like? It seems there is a real market niche for a good (tm) book on asterisms. As an avid "binoculist" I'd be the first to buy such a book - Asterisms are just wonderful! Or shall we make an internet site that features binocular or telescopic asterisms?
Thomas
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PhilH
sage
Reged: 01/27/05
Posts: 222
Loc: Long Island, NY
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Quote:
Or shall we make an internet site that features binocular or telescopic asterisms?
Two already exist, Thomas. See my message #2490037 in this thread above.
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Phil Harrington
"Binocular Universe" Columnist, Astronomy magazine
Author: Star Ware || Star Watch || Touring the Universe through Binoculars || et al...
http://www.philharrington.net
http://www.observingsites.com
"Two eyes are better than one!"
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Thomas_N
member
Reged: 07/07/08
Posts: 25
Loc: Germany, Bavarian Forest
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OK - But they only scratch at the surface. See my comment on the SAC-list. The sed.org-link has even fewer asterisms.
Thomas
BTW: I found this interesting presentation on your website, Phil: http://www.philharrington.net/astroconjunction/davis.pdf It contains beautiful sketches by John Davis.
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gubbenimanen
sage
Reged: 08/09/05
Posts: 265
Loc: Sweden
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If you want to go deeper there are 1120 telescopic asterisms listed at the Deep Sky Hunters Yahoo group. See the link in my message above.
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Roger
Edited by gubbenimanen (07/13/08 09:09 AM)
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Thomas_N
member
Reged: 07/07/08
Posts: 25
Loc: Germany, Bavarian Forest
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Wow - that's a lot.  I'm going to try to enter this groups (seems somewhat difficult). Thanks!
Thomas
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chexmix
sage
Reged: 12/01/04
Posts: 341
Loc: Arlington, MA, USA
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Quote:
OK - But they only scratch at the surface. See my comment on the SAC-list. The sed.org-link has even fewer asterisms.
This is an interesting discussion. I suspect part of the issue here is that particularly once you get beyond the "obvious" asterisms (if it even makes sense to call them that) you're really in a realm where there are -- from individual to individual -- simply different abilities or tendencies to see such patterns: probably there are people who are more prone to see or pick out lots of asterisms than others ... and this is why there may be more definitive lists of, say, planetary nebulae than of asterisms ... or why the lists are lengthier.
I think it (the pattern-making tendency) says something fundamental about the way one's brain tends to work (or in the case of someone who doesn't or can't see or take pleasure in them, about the way one's brain tends to NOT work).
Anyway, that's something that occurred to me reading this thread. I for one enjoy simply pushing my Dob from place to place in the sky, letting figures, letters and pictures form as they will, out of the stars in the field of view. It's fun, and less stressful sometimes than chasing down that elusive DSO!
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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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Thomas_N
member
Reged: 07/07/08
Posts: 25
Loc: Germany, Bavarian Forest
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Yeah, it's fun. It lets your imagination run wild. Very relaxing! I do not always try to find names for the patterns. It is enough if I find one aesthetically pleasing, like a work of modern art.
Thomas
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mikiek
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/10/07
Posts: 838
Loc: SE Texas
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All good points. My original intent was to come across some patterns that I could interest folks with at public viewings. The non-astronomic types are generally more interested in things like that than some faint puff of light called a galaxy.
I've started scanning some, just looking for whatever pops up. However I fall into that category of 'not much imagination' so unless it's something pretty obvious (I've found several W's) I probably won't make anything out of it.
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___________________________________________________________
May there always be starlight on the path - R.Burnham
___________________________________________________________
Celestron CPC 1100
Radian 3mm, 5mm, 8mm, 12mm
Panoptic 22mm, 27mm, 35mm(the brick), 41mm (the cinder block)
Nagler 3-6 zoom, T4 17mm
Ethos 13mm
Powermate 2X
Everbrite Diagonal 2"
FeatherTouch Microfocuser
FeatherTouch Crayford
SV 9x50 RACI
Telrad Finder
Kendrick Dew System
SV-80S (riding the CPC)
|
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