desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30044
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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I finally have had a chance to open and look at the new edition of Rukl's Atlas of the Moon. The first thing I did was just let it fall open, and the appearance of the maps immediately caught my attention. That slate blue look raised an eyebrow as I tried to imagine it under any of the lights I use while observing the Moon, so this evening I went out with those lights and had a look. I'm pleased to report that they new maps will (for my eyes and lights) be every bit as useful as the old. My impression, in fact, is that they will be a bit easier on the eyes. Time will tell; I have not actually used the book while observing, yet. I'll get back to ya!
Not much appears changed in the text, although some illustrations have been eliminated. (Very few, to be honest, but those dealing with the 'profiles' of crater types are quite conspicuous in their absence). Some material in the back portion has been updated to show dates extending a good fifteen years into the future. I'll actually have to sit and read the thing, but the passages I compared to a copy of the older edition were word-for-word the same.
My overall impression, at this point, is that Sky Publishing has changed as little as possible, and that should be a good thing.
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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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Tim2723
The Moon Guy
Reged: 02/19/04
Posts: 5121
Loc: Northern New Jersey
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Hi Tom,
I was initially surprised at the blue ink as well, and thought there might be problems too. My 'light test' has reassured me though.
I wasn't aware that crater profile drawings were omitted. Personally, I'm OK with that, as Dr. Wood's book covers the crater Main Sequence pretty well. Crater morphology is a subject that I think needs more space than an atlas' introductory pages can handle anyway. I'm actually pleased that Rukl's focuses on being an atlas, rather that trying to cover too much at once.
(For those lurking, Charles Wood's new book, The Modern Moon, a Personal View, is hailed as the rightful companion volume to the Rukl atlas.) (Oh, and stop lurking! Join in the fun, we need all the help we can get! )
I found, much to my chagrin, that some minor features are not labeled. This is a small point for many users I'm sure, but I wanted to mention that Carol and I had encountered this while answering another CNer's question.
Overall, I'm very pleased with it. I'm not throwing away the rest of my library, but I'm not disappointed.
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The crwth will set you free!
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Amalia
Reged: 10/16/04
Posts: 5165
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< Oh, and stop lurking! Join in the fun, we need all the help we can get! >
 I will get mine next week!
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30044
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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I've noticed the minor features lacking labels as well, but that was so of the previous edition as well, so at least they didn't take something away.
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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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typhus
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/06/04
Posts: 667
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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I have never had a chance to look through any edition of Rukl's. I have heard so many good things about it here at CN. I was wondering if Rukl's is more than just an atlas. Does it give stats on all the features and general info on the moon? I think I would like a book that does a little (or a lot) of both. Thanks.
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Shane
Orion XT10i
10x50 Binoculars
Edited by typhus (11/30/04 10:16 PM)
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Tim2723
The Moon Guy
Reged: 02/19/04
Posts: 5121
Loc: Northern New Jersey
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Hi Shane,
The Rukl atlas, like pretty much all atlases, does contain quite a bit more than just maps of the moon.
The atlas begins with a discussion of the mechanics of the earth/moon system, an explaination of libration and phases, a phase calulator good through 2014, and a very nice description of the apparent motion of the moon through the sky at different seasons (extremely useful for planning an observing session).
Crater morphology and the types of surface features are briefly covered, as is the current theory of the origin and evolution of the moon. A discussion of lunar cartography and the naming of features as well as a table of numerical lunar data is included. A introductory observer's guide, describing the main features of the moon at each phase concludes the introduction.
The main body of the atlas consists of 76 plates of the near side, 8 plates of the libration zones, and single-page maps of the entire near and far sides. All are cleanly printed in medium blue ink. The facing page of each map lists the named features on that map with coordinates, feature type, and often some historical information about the feature's namesake or other interesting facts.
Following the main body are sections on flights to the moon, a photographic section of 50 plates giving a guided tour of interesting areas, information on selecting equipment and imaging the moon (very brief), and a discussion on lunar eclipses which includes a table of eclipses through 2028.
The atlas concludes with a glossary, tables for calculating colongitude, acknowledgments, a bibliography, and an extensive index of named features.
The inside front cover shows a map of the moon overlaid with the index grid of the atlas plates for easy reference, and the inside back cover shows a similar map with the 50 'areas of interest' tour overlaid on it.
Hope that helps.
Tim
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The crwth will set you free!
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Carol L
Reged: 07/05/04
Posts: 5880
Loc: Tomahawk, WI 45N//89W
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Hi Shane, welcome to the Lunie Bin!
Chuck Wood ran comparison photos of the old and new versions on his LPOD website.. the images aren't large but they'll give you a feel for what the drawings look like.
http://www.lpod.org/LPOD-2004-11-19.htm
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 *Step-by-Step Lunar Sketching*
CN Gallery
Photo Gallery
8"SCT ~ 120achro ~ 90Mak ~ 80ST ~ 11x70s ~ 22x100s
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Nauset
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/04
Posts: 3457
Loc: Cape Cod
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I had the opportunity to scan through this book last week. A friend has it. It's the next book on my list.
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Betsy
Hardin 8" Dob (inspected by J. Dobson himself), Oberwerks 11x56, Meade Kestrel 10x42
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Secretary, Cape Cod Astronomical Society www.ccas.ws
avatar of Cape Cod taken by Dan Burbank from the Discovery Shuttle
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typhus
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/06/04
Posts: 667
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Thanks Tim, that was a great discription. Thanks Carol for the link. The drawings are nice, and like Tom said the blue ink is easier on the eyes.
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Shane
Orion XT10i
10x50 Binoculars
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macpurity
super member
Reged: 10/24/04
Posts: 115
Loc: Maryland, USA
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Besides Tim's very nice review, I also posted one on CN about four weeks ago, you can read it here. I've been very pleased with the atlas and how it supplements other atlases in the collection.
MacP
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typhus
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/06/04
Posts: 667
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Thanks Mac.
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Shane
Orion XT10i
10x50 Binoculars
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 20457
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Quote:
(For those lurking, Charles Wood's new book, The Modern Moon, a Personal View, is hailed as the rightful companion volume to the Rukl atlas.) (Oh, and stop lurking! Join in the fun, we need all the help we can get!)
Tom pointed out the boxed set at Sky Publishing of Atlas of the Moon by Rukl and The Modern Moon, A Personal View, C. Wood. (btw...thanks, Tom!) They only just arrived at my door a few days ago, but so far from what I've read, I am very happy I got both of them. (I need to build another book shelf though, the other ones are full up!) 
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Erika
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350
Having Fun in the Sun!
More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have.
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30044
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Sounds like my house...
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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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LivingNDixie
Lord of Ferrets
Reged: 04/23/03
Posts: 15796
Loc: Hoover, AL
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same here...
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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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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3543
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Hi Everyone,
I requested (and received !) Rukl's Atlas for Christmas. I had never seen it but I asked for it on the strength of reports that I read here about it and I'm not disappointed.
The Atlas is well laid out, easy to read and consult, and has a wealth of information. It is too large (and expensive) to use comfortably at the eyepiece (unless one has an observatory) but I can see that it will be an invaluable resource.
There is no "one resource" so I will be using Rukl's in conjunction with the Virtual Moon Atlas and Grego's Moon Observers Guide .
Thanks to all who recommended this book. 
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 20457
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Oh dear...maybe I should take better care of my copy, but it does go out with me. I use it as a lapboard, flipping pages right and left while viewing, with my little notebook on top of it. Then I come back in the house and compare notes with VM (with crossed fingers).
It's so nice to have this forum filled with valuable advice, information, and friendship!
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Erika
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350
Having Fun in the Sun!
More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have.
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Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
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Erika, that is probably a very happy copy of Rukl's...you just keep using that way...
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Tom 
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
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Carol L
Reged: 07/05/04
Posts: 5880
Loc: Tomahawk, WI 45N//89W
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Quote:
Erika, that is probably a very happy copy of Rukl's...you just keep using that way...
 The Velveteen Rukl.
Michael, I xeroxed the plates ages ago and put them into sheet protectors.
Works great!
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*Step-by-Step Lunar Sketching*
CN Gallery
Photo Gallery
8"SCT ~ 120achro ~ 90Mak ~ 80ST ~ 11x70s ~ 22x100s
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Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
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I love the analogy! (my oldest daughter always said velveseen...)
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Tom
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 20457
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Well maybe I can keep it velveteen by using my bumbershoot, Carol.
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Erika
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350
Having Fun in the Sun!
More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have.
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