Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
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2013 RASC Observer's Handbook
#5589348 - 12/26/12 09:18 AM
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RASC Observer's Handbook
Edited by Tom Trusock (12/26/12 09:20 AM)
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moynihan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/22/03
Loc: Lake Michigan Watershed
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Re: 2013 RASC Observer's Handbook
[Re: Tom Trusock]
#5589382 - 12/26/12 09:52 AM
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indispensible
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stevew
Now I've done it
Reged: 03/03/06
Loc: British Columbia Canada
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Re: 2013 RASC Observer's Handbook
[Re: moynihan]
#5589805 - 12/26/12 02:00 PM
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Great Book, mind you we Canadians already knew that.
But "Perfect for your bathroom" seriously Tom? 
Steve
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t.r.
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/14/08
Loc: Upstate NY
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Re: 2013 RASC Observer's Handbook
[Re: stevew]
#5589906 - 12/26/12 03:44 PM
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Using it for years...one stop reference!
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
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Re: 2013 RASC Observer's Handbook
[Re: stevew]
#5590053 - 12/26/12 05:43 PM
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Quote:
Great Book, mind you we Canadians already knew that.
But "Perfect for your bathroom" seriously Tom?
Steve
Hey - with two kids in the house, that's the only chance I get for peace and quiet! 
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JayinUT
I'm not Sleepy
Reged: 09/19/08
Loc: Utah
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Re: 2013 RASC Observer's Handbook
[Re: Tom Trusock]
#5590210 - 12/26/12 08:00 PM
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The bad news Tom is that as they grow up, they stay at home and then their friends come over so there are more of them than ever and soon, the only room you'll have is the bathroom in the house as a room you can go online in, read in etc.
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
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Re: 2013 RASC Observer's Handbook
[Re: JayinUT]
#5590289 - 12/26/12 08:56 PM
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I am finding this out already.
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davidmcgo
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/09/04
Loc: San Diego, CA
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Re: 2013 RASC Observer's Handbook
[Re: JayinUT]
#5590295 - 12/26/12 08:59 PM
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My only complaint about the Observer's Handbooks is how thick they've gotten in the last few years. I'd prefer the background articles be in a separate supplement and just keep the useful at the eyepiece and changing yearly info in the handbook itself.
My eyepiece box lid doesn't quite close with the 2013 edition and the Pocket Star Atlas laying in there.
But that's my only gripe, I've been getting and using these since 1980 or so.
Dave
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operascope
sage
Reged: 09/03/08
Loc: Canada
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Re: 2013 RASC Observer's Handbook
[Re: davidmcgo]
#5590616 - 12/27/12 12:55 AM
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I got my first copy recently, and it is a wonderful resource. Great aid for planning your observing. I also like the background articles.
Like the others said: "Just get it."
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dan777
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/16/07
Loc: Indiana
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Re: 2013 RASC Observer's Handbook
[Re: Tom Trusock]
#5591092 - 12/27/12 12:12 PM
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Last year my wife was going to get me a copy for Christmas. She was told that you have to be a member in order to purchase one. She didn't believe that this was correct and asked the customer rep to double check the policy. My wife got the same answer and that was the end of that discussion.
This year one of my daughters purchased a copy for me for Christmas. Her credit card was charged for the book and then then very next day her credit card was charged again. My daughter called the office and the customer rep found the double billing in her records, but would not credit my daughter's credit card. Before a credit is issued, my daughter has to send two documents: (1) A copy of her credit card statement showing the double charge. (2) A copy of the following month's credit card statement showing that there is no unpaid balance that matches the cost of the book.
My wife and kids are not new to dealing with vendors over the phone. All my birthday and Christmas gifts are purchased over the phone - most are telescope related  My wife and daughter said that of all the vendors they have dealt with, this vendor was the worst by far.
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Tom Trusock
Reged: 02/26/02
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Re: 2013 RASC Observer's Handbook
[Re: dan777]
#5591110 - 12/27/12 12:23 PM
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Anybody can flub something, but if I had your experience I'd probably look for a different vendor. No idea who you used, but:
Here's one fulfilled by Amazon.com
Edited by Tom Trusock (12/27/12 12:30 PM)
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gatorengineer
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 02/28/05
Loc: Hellertown, PA
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Re: 2013 RASC Observer's Handbook
[Re: Tom Trusock]
#5591261 - 12/27/12 02:16 PM
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Tom,
Looks like a great book, and the RASC looks like a great organization.
As a side bar and in hopes that someone from there org reads this. I wish they had an E-Membership or something that would allow folks to download some of their works (observing challenges etc). $25 for access to the challenges would be great. $86, not so much.
Back on topic, nice review and thanks
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Dave Mitsky
Postmaster
Reged: 04/08/02
Loc: PA, USA, Planet Earth
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Re: 2013 RASC Observer's Handbook
[Re: gatorengineer]
#5591433 - 12/27/12 04:23 PM
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It's an excellent reference that I've used for many years.
Dave Mitsky
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dan777
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/16/07
Loc: Indiana
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Re: 2013 RASC Observer's Handbook
[Re: Tom Trusock]
#5591482 - 12/27/12 05:09 PM
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Quote:
Anybody can flub something, but if I had your experience I'd probably look for a different vendor. No idea who you used, but:
Here's one fulfilled by Amazon.com
Aaaahhh, I just assumed you had to buy directly from RASC (in Canada). Dumb me! What makes it more embarrassing is that I'm a big Amazon customer. Amazon charges $2 more for the book, but free shipping saves $11.
So US buyers => buy from Amazon, not directly from RASC (notwithstanding the customer reps that don't know what they're doing).
Thanks Tom
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Magellan
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/26/06
Loc: Enfield, NS Canada
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Re: 2013 RASC Observer's Handbook
[Re: dan777]
#5592239 - 12/28/12 08:00 AM
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I have been using the handbook for years, never had any issues with it but of course I am from Canada as well, which helps and is included in my membership fee.
The Astronomical Society is great! filled with professionals and amateurs alike. I received the Messier certificate from the society, they have a goto certificate and a manual certificate. I did it the hard way, with a 4" shorty refractor on a manual EQ5 mount, oh the joys, but they taught me a lot and still learning.
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Astro Canuck
newbie
Reged: 08/28/09
Loc: Halifax,Nova Scotia,Canada
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Re: 2013 RASC Observer's Handbook
[Re: Tom Trusock]
#5594144 - 12/29/12 10:53 AM
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It is a good book but the Radio Meteor section really needs to be revised 
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knightware
Vendor (Knightware)
Reged: 03/22/06
Loc: North Carolina
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Re: 2013 RASC Observer's Handbook
[Re: Astro Canuck]
#5598727 - 12/31/12 08:47 PM
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Another purchasing option for members of astronomy clubs: a volume discount order. I made one on behalf of my astronomy club and got the shipment just after publication. Couldn't beat the price from another vendor either.
Although much of the information can be found somewhere online, the book presents in a handy, compact format. A very enjoyable reference.
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