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Turn Left at Orion: A hundred night sky objects to see in a small telescope–and how to find them - Book Review
Dec 22 2009 11:01 AM |
havira
in Observing Books
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Coauthors, friends and (at the time) non-professional astronomers developed their book as “the expert looking over your shoulder and telling you where to look and what you’re seeing (when there is no expert).” It won positive reader response and to date has gone through at least five printings!
The authors introduce beginners to the night sky; celestial motion, constellations, and the various objects one can expect to see with a modest telescope (Consolmagno has a 3.5 inch). There are no large telescope, long exposure photographs showing objects in incredible detail and color that give beginners high expectations that may lead to disappointment.
The moon is certainly the easiest object to find and is a good starting place for any neophyte astronomer. Consolmagno and Davis tell us how to look at the moon, and organize observing suggestions according to lunar phases. They emphasize that landforms are at maximum contrast when at or close to the terminator with sunlight skimming the moon’s surface. The maps of the moon are photo-based, labeled and more than adequate for beginning lunar observers. Next the authors devote a few pages to each of the planets. They provide basic observational information: How to find them and what to look for once you have found them.
The main part of the book is divided into four seasonal guides. Each section begins with an orientation guide showing the guidepost stars visible during the season. For each season the authors have selected some of the finest objects, both stars and extended objects, visible during that season. They thoughtfully list a few objects from the previous season that may still be visible too.
The objects are named and classified as to type; for example: “The Ring Nebula,” Planetary nebula, Messier M57 or “61 Cygni, A double star.” They rate the objects according to how spectacular they are, minimum sky conditions necessary for viewing, and suggest starting magnification. Next are at least three sketch maps for each object. The first is as the eye would see it within the context of the objects around it. After orienting ourselves in the constellation we know where to point our telescope. The second drawing shows the object as it appears in a finder scope at about x8 magnification. The third drawing is an eyepiece view at the suggested magnification. The eyepiece drawing is only a basic sketch of how the object looks but the observer will have no problem with identification.
After the location/identification drawings there are several useful “Comments” and “What You’re Looking At” sections. Interspersed also is general information for example: “About Supernovae,” “About Globular Clusters,” “What is a Planetary Nebula,” “Double Stars” and so on. These are referred to in other sections with page numbers references.
I think the format is perfect for beginners but even more advanced observers may learn a thing or two. It’s like having one of the KAS’s many experts right next to you at your ‘scope! It is commonly available in bookstores and libraries (including the KAS library). Two thumbs up (both of mine).
The authors introduce beginners to the night sky; celestial motion, constellations, and the various objects one can expect to see with a modest telescope (Consolmagno has a 3.5 inch). There are no large telescope, long exposure photographs showing objects in incredible detail and color that give beginners high expectations that may lead to disappointment.
The moon is certainly the easiest object to find and is a good starting place for any neophyte astronomer. Consolmagno and Davis tell us how to look at the moon, and organize observing suggestions according to lunar phases. They emphasize that landforms are at maximum contrast when at or close to the terminator with sunlight skimming the moon’s surface. The maps of the moon are photo-based, labeled and more than adequate for beginning lunar observers. Next the authors devote a few pages to each of the planets. They provide basic observational information: How to find them and what to look for once you have found them.
The main part of the book is divided into four seasonal guides. Each section begins with an orientation guide showing the guidepost stars visible during the season. For each season the authors have selected some of the finest objects, both stars and extended objects, visible during that season. They thoughtfully list a few objects from the previous season that may still be visible too.
The objects are named and classified as to type; for example: “The Ring Nebula,” Planetary nebula, Messier M57 or “61 Cygni, A double star.” They rate the objects according to how spectacular they are, minimum sky conditions necessary for viewing, and suggest starting magnification. Next are at least three sketch maps for each object. The first is as the eye would see it within the context of the objects around it. After orienting ourselves in the constellation we know where to point our telescope. The second drawing shows the object as it appears in a finder scope at about x8 magnification. The third drawing is an eyepiece view at the suggested magnification. The eyepiece drawing is only a basic sketch of how the object looks but the observer will have no problem with identification.
After the location/identification drawings there are several useful “Comments” and “What You’re Looking At” sections. Interspersed also is general information for example: “About Supernovae,” “About Globular Clusters,” “What is a Planetary Nebula,” “Double Stars” and so on. These are referred to in other sections with page numbers references.
I think the format is perfect for beginners but even more advanced observers may learn a thing or two. It’s like having one of the KAS’s many experts right next to you at your ‘scope! It is commonly available in bookstores and libraries (including the KAS library). Two thumbs up (both of mine).
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