88 replies to this topic

[lighttrap]

Sparkit,
I agree with you. I've got a whole bookshelf full of Astro books, but the title that's always in my Astro satchel for field use is the Audubon Guide to the Night Sky. The star charts in it are FAR more user friendly than the much more in-depth, much more crammed together charts in the Peterson "Stars and Planets" guide. The Lunar info is more substantial in the Peterson's guide, but it's presented more pleasingly, and in a more user friendly way in the Audubon guide.

That reference alone, should keep you busy for a year or two.

Mike Swaim

[Fiske]

I believe you are referring to "The Mole Family's Christmas" by Russell Hoban . Do not have a copy and it is out of print I think. ISBN 0590456113

sound like used bookstore searching...

Ken:

After reading your note on Saturday, I stopped by a local Half Price books for a bit of shopping and found The Mole Family's Christmas by Russell Hoban in the children's section in less than 20 seconds. It's exactly the book I've been trying to locate for the past year. It cost $3.98 and is in wonderful condition. I never would have found it if you hadn't contributed to this thread. THANK YOU!

Also scooped up a nice copy of Christianson's On Tycho's Island (slight spine slant, unfortunately) and a standard bound edition of NightWatch.

[Ken]

Fiske,

Hey , thats what we are all on the boards for. Glad I could help. Beside's I have a huge soft spot for older books, especially one's from childhood myself.

In fact lately I've found myself reminiscing wildly about old scopes and other items from youth. Just trying to fight the ebay bug I guess. I did note a Sears refractor like my first one was up for sale though.. hmmmm.....

[Peter Argenziano]

I need to dig up a good www site for minor planet info. I know there are a few of them out there.

Have a look at the website for the International Occultation Timing Association:
http://www.anomalies.com/iotaweb/

Lots of info in the 'Future' and 'Links' sections.

Peter

[Fiske]

Peter:

Thanks for the link reference. One of my local friends pointed me toward http://cfa-www.harva...u/iau/mpc.html. It's run by the Minor Planet Center in Boston.

Some members in our local club really got into doing NEO (Near Earth Object) follow-up research a few years ago. The club actually received a grant from NASA to purchase a fairly high-end CCD camera (around $13,000 I think) for use on the club's equatorially mounted 30-inch reflector.

In 2002 this crew did more NEO followup research than any other observatory (professional or amateur) in the world excepting LINEAR. One club member was actually hired by the MPC and moved to Boston.

They weren't discovering NEOs, what they were doing is recapturing NEOs that had previously been discovered so that orbital data could be calculated for them. I vaguely recall that with the 30-inch scope and this CCD camera they could reach down to something like 21st magnitude. Somewhere in that vicinity anyway. Darn faint!)

For myself, I'm not that interested in NEO followup work, just like to hunt down asteroids from my backyard.

[Mike Casey]

Okay, here's the challenge, what are your top 10 astronomy books?

Here are ten books I can recommend from my personal library. Not by any means, the “top ten”, but books I own and have enjoyed reading very much. I actually have fifteen astronomy-related books, but the thread does mention the figure ten, so, here they are:

First Light: The Search for the Edge of the Universe. Richard Preston

Lonely Hearts of the Cosmos: The story of the scientific quest for the secret of the universe. Dennis Overbye

Coming of Age in the Milky Way. Timothy Ferris

Black Holes & Time Warps: Einstein’s Outrageous Legacy. Kip S. Thorne

Through a Universe, Darkly: A cosmic tale of ancient ethers, dark matter, and the fate of the universe. Marci Bartusiak

Principles of Physical Cosmology. P.J.E. Peebles

The Origin of the Universe. John D. Barrow

The Dark Side of the Universe: A scientist explores the mysteries of the cosmos. James Trefil

Voyage to the Great Attractor: Exploring Intergalactic Space. Alan Dressler

Man Discovers the Galaxies. Richard Berendzen

[Dan Luna]

I only just noticed this post - it was very useful as I had never heard of Tim's No 1 "Geology of the Moon" by Mutch, but it sounds like my type of book, so as it was only $30 I've ordered a copy (plus the inevitable $16.50 shipping ).

Here are my 10:

1. "Apollo Over the Moon: A View from Orbit" by Masursky et al,

2. "Moon Morphology" by Schultz,

3. "Lunar Orbiter Photographic Atlas of the Moon" by Bowker and Hughes (as a photographic collection rather than an atlas),

4. "The Moon as viewed by Lunar Orbiter" by Kosofsky and El-Baz,

5. "Full Moon" by Michael Light,

6. "The Moon, considered as a planet, a world, and a satellite" by Nasmyth and Carpenter,

7. "Lunar Photographs from Apollos 8, 10 and 11" by Musgrove,

8. "Planetary Geology" by Guest,

9. "The Conquest of Space" by Bonestell and Ley,

10. "Observing the Moon" by North.

[qpolaris]

Dan,

Is it fair to say you are into Lunar astronomy?

Steve

[Dan Luna]

It's the ideal subject for a nosy person with a telescope. As Dr. Pouchet said in 1870:

By means of our instruments, which have now been brought to so great perfection, we can pry into the minutest details of our satellite, and examine them with as much accuracy as if it were some distant view on earth; hence we can to a certain extent make out its geological disposition. The precision of our glasses has been carried to such a pitch, that we could with them easily perceive large buildings, if any existed on the lunar surface; we could even make out troops of animals moving about.

[Starman1]

I went to my library of astronomy books and tried to make a list of my top ten. Couldn't. There are a lot more names than 10 that I consider "essentials" in any Astronomy library.
I realized that my basic list would contain over 100 books.
So, how about a further winnowing out: The best 10 observing guides? The best 10 Lore and History books? The best 10 astrophysics books? The best 10 books on the Solar System? The best 10 books on Cosmology? The best 10 books on telescope optics and construction?

But if I were to advise 1 book to start with, it would be The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Dickinson and Dyer. Everyone should start out with this book. It covers all the basics and will spark any reader to read more on whatever topic is found most interesting.

[Thick_asa_Planck]

I don't have 10 favourites, but i have a few:

1. The Elegant Universe: Brian Greene

2. Spacewatching: David Levy

3. A Brief History of Time: Stephen Hawking

4. The Universe In A Nutshell: Stephen Hawking

5. Stars and Planets

[arczeneb]

Astronomy Books in my library and the one that is in use the most is. When aperture fever hits this will remind you even the small scope has a list of objects.

Deep Sky Observing with Small Telescopes by David Eicher
This was published 1989 by the editors of the out of print magazine Deep Sky (DSM).The first 30 pages are easy to read and great for the beginner. You will find there is a recommendation on eyepieces; Kellners, Orthos, Erfles and Plossl but no mention of the TV line of eyepieces. Also there is mention of works that have passed like Handbook of the Constellions, Skalnate Pleso Atlas of the Heavens amoung others all superseded by Wil Tirion Sky Atlas 2000.
This guide and reference has pictures and drawings on what the view would be. Pictures of the telescopes even though they are black and white most will remember that orange Celestron C5&8 and what about that Celestron 3.5 mak.
The rest of the book from pages 30 to 305 makes reference to double and variable stars, open and globular clusters, planetary-bright-and dark nebulae and galaxies. Each section is easy reading starting with the history, nature, beginning to observe and finally advanced observing techniques. A list is included on each subject for the small scope for example double stars 1127, variable stars 114, open clusters 109, galaxies 758, bright and dark nebulae 233, globular 85 and planetary 63 objects.
Even though this book is out dated a beginner with a small scope would enjoy the observing list from Deep Sky. Advanced observers would take a look back on what was available back in the 80's. Can you find one well Amazon had it listed as out of print but would search their different sources. RTMC I found had a large selection of books that have passed thru the years.

Others in my library.
armchair on cloudy nights.
The Constellation; Lloyd Motz. Mythology, objects etc.
The Universe from you Backyard; Eicher. A guide to deep sky objects from Astronomy Magazine (1988)small list, maps etc.
The Moon Observers Handbook; Price What can be seen during the phases etc.
Star Names Their Lore and Meanings; Allen Wanted to know what all those star names mean and their history
S&T Observer Guides, The Deep Sky an Introduction; Harrington. As most books list Messier, NGC etc. this book includes more than a dozen asterisms along with the above
The Observers Sky Atlas; Karkoschka This 3x4 atlas mag 6 with finder charts mag 9. This is what I have at the scope.
Webb Society Observer's Handbook volume 1 thru 6. Need technical information for the mind.
So many to pick from so here is some that are in my library.
pete

[AZDeepSky]

See what Fiske started? A mega-thread! 1894 views and 63 posts to this moment. Takes forever to read through. Good to see all the astro-bibliophiles. Me too! I'm way over the line. Weekly trips to the used book store (often productive in Flagstaff). Multiple copies of favorites (like Burnham's Handbook in paper and hardback.)

Is it true that anyone who adds to this thread should enter a 12 step program to overcome the addictive behavior of buying astronomical books?

Don "Starman" Pensack wrote:
"I went to my library of astronomy books and tried to make a list of my top ten. Couldn't. There are a lot more names than 10 that I consider "essentials" in any Astronomy library.
I realized that my basic list would contain over 100 books.
So, how about a further winnowing out: The best 10 observing guides? The best 10 Lore and History books? The best 10 astrophysics books? The best 10 books on the Solar System? The best 10 books on Cosmology? The best 10 books on telescope optics and construction?" END OF QUOTE

Agree with Starman for sure. Take observing guides (please). How many guides is a load? Can you ever have all that you need? Not if you're over the line, a true astronomical bibliophile. I've been observing as an adult since the 1960s (us hippies loved the stars!). But when I came across Turn Left at Orion I was helpless. Had to have it. Didn't need it. Read it cover to cover. Terminal astro-bibliophile.

Or take the Peterson A Field Guide to the Stars and Planets. My first was Don Menzel's edition, published in 1964. Still look at it. Has loads of marginal black and white photographs corresponding to the atlas charts. But I still love em. Somehow I missed out on the 2nd and 3rd editions. But the 4th edition was a must have also. Love those colored star maps!

Enough. Let me play Don's game: 10 key (rather than best) observing guides, with my rationale for including them.

1. Turn Left at Orion . Why? Cuz most of us love to help the beginners. This book reminds us of the yellow brick roads that help beginners find objects.

2. Luginbuhl and Skiff, Observing Handbook and Catalogue of Deep-Sky Objects. Why? A superb observing guide. And arguably the book that opened the door to a host of later observing guides. Most of you likely know that Luginbuhl (USNO) and Skiff (Lowell) are professional astronomers.

3. Kepple and Sanner's 2 volumes The Night Sky Observer's Guide. Why? This is an enormously helpful book, especially for those who have large apertures and love the details concerning really dim fuzzies. Very useful finder charts for those w/o goto mounts.

4. Burnham's 3 volumes Celestial Handbooks. Dated to some extent, but still a fabulous read. And you catch "whiffs" of Burnham in many other observer's guides, eh?

5. Raymo's 365 Starry Nights. Why? Cuz it gives me something to do when the clouds (or the moon) have washed out the night sky. Vicarious viewing, as it were.

6. Richard Dibbon-Smith, The Binocular and Naked Eye Guide to the Stars. Why? Cuz I love to look through binocs. Dibbon-Smith gives me suitable objects to find, many of which are challenges (the first time). And cuz every night-sky watcher needs at least one binocular guide.

7. Rev. T. W. Webb, vol. 2, rev. ed. The Stars: Celestial Objects for Common Telescopes. Wny? Originally published in 1859, Webb's books were the classic guides for amateurs for decades. Helps me understand where Kepple and Sanner are coming from: i.e., the recent explosion of large aperture instruments. Refractors ruled in Webb's time on through WW2.

8. James Mullaney, Celestial Harvest. Why? Cuz it's a hard core, uncensored version of Raymo's "365." Definitely a book for the already initiated who enjoy the comparison-contrast of their visual experiences with dozens and dozens of others.

9. Jay Pasachoff, 4th ed, A Field Guide to the Stars and Planets. Why? Well, for one, I'm a softy. The first edition was prepared by Don Menzel, Pasachoff's mentor. So the flame is passed on, eh? And this is my travel atlas, when I'm on the road and need a small book to feed the beast within me. And finally, Tirion's star maps are beautiful, although very small.

10. Mike Inglis, Field Guide to the Deep Sky Objects. Why? Cuz I like the organizational scheme and concise nature of the text. For example, I like to look at stars, which Inglis breaks out on a month by month basis into the categories of brightest, nearest, spectral type, red, and double. Makes my planning way too easy. Also has a chapter on the "Faint, far away, and invisible," which suits my own inclinations.

And ten is the limit.

Now if the snow would stop (36" out of the last storm, 8-12" more coming tonight) and I could actually do some observing.

Cheers.
Max

[BillFerris]

Okay, here's the challenge, what are your top 10 astronomy books? What do you use the most? No atlases, please.

Wow, a fun thread and a great read on a cold, cloudy winter day. Lots of great books mentioned. I'm going to pick up on the "10 I use most" angle. In no particular order...

The Scientific Papers of William Herschel: I've copied several papers from this two volume set, including the elder Herschel's three catalogs of clusters and nebulae, the younger (John) Herschel's "General Catalog" of clusters and nebulae, and J.L.E. Dreyer's "New General Catalog," the NGC. I love going back to original observations and comparing those notes with my sketches.

Burnham's Celestial Handbook by Robert Burnham, Jr.: Again, a great reference for historical observations of thousands of deep-sky objects, double and variable stars. If reading Burnham doesn't get you psyched to head out with the scope on the next clear night, you need to find another hobby.

Star Clusters by Archinal & Hynes: I reach for this every time I write up notes on a cluster or have questions about the identification/location of a cluster.

The Universe From Your Backyard by David Eicher: Eicher's enthusiasm for deep-sky observing pours from each page. This was my first of his books and I enjoyed it so much, getting the other two was a no-brainer.

Stars and Galaxies edited by Eicher: An anthology of Astronomy magazine articles covering over 300 prime deep-sky objects. Filled with photos, charts and great observing notes.

Galaxies and the Universe: edited by Eicher: Simply nirvana for the galaxy hound. This anthology includes articles from the old Deep Sky magazine started by Eicher when he was still in his teens. These are the articles I'd love to see in every issue of Astronomy and Sky & Telescope.

Atlas of the Moon by Antonin Rukl: OK, I usually use it for the charts, but also rely on Rukl for the information about and photos of lunar features. So, it's included in my list for its non-atlas applications.

Stars and Planets by Jay M. Pasachoff: The 4th edition of this incredibly handy, fact-filled reference. When is Mars at opposition in 2005? It's there. When is the next meteor shower? You'll find the answer. What's the approx. distance to that bright star in Auriga? Bingo. I've got the first three editions floating around my home in various states of overuse.

Visual Observation of the Deep Sky by Roger N. Clark: This is the reference on the nature of visual observation with a telescope. Clark struck down several time honored myths and revolutionized how amateurs observe the deep-sky.

Star Testing Astronomical Telescopes by H. R. (Dick) Suiter: One would be hard pressed to find a better introduction to the subjects of optics, collimation and star testing.

Regards,

Bill in Flagstaff

[Fiske]

Wow -- lots of interesting books included in the last few posts! Thanks to all the participants who have turned this into a Mega-Thread and shared their enthusiasm for astronomy books.

I haven't seen the Dibbon-Smith binocular naked eye guide and am now on the lookout for it. Thanks Max!

(Last night, as I was leaving the grocery store on my way home from work I got a call from my wife who was checking on my whereabouts. She wasn't worried that I might be sneaking off to see someone on the side: she wanted to make sure I wasn't sneaking off to the bookstore...)

The Scientific Papers of William Herschel sounds absolutely fascinating. I'm going to check Linda Hall Library to see if they have a copy. The Linda Hall History of Science Collection (one of the premier collections of rare astronomy books and atlases in the United States) includes a hand-written notebook by William Herschel with notes on his early research on optics, mirror-making, etc. Despite being German, he wrote in English in a beautifully legible hand. It's breathtaking to actually handle a notebook written in by Herschel himself.

Visual Observation of the Deep Sky is an exceptionally rare and hard to comeby book. (Just ask EdZ who has been trying to obtain a copy for years.) An excellent book, which our local astronomy club fortunately owns.

Suiter's Star-Testing is another excellent work that somehow hasn't found its way into my collection yet.

[Fiske]

Sadly, Linda Hall does not have a copy of the William Herschel collection, but I've sent a note to someone who might be able to change that and am crossing my fingers. I did notice that the LH Digital Services department now has an early English translation of Brahe's de Nova Stella online. If you haven't visited their online book/exhibit page it's a real treat, including electronic versions of beautiful and rare atlases and astronomy books.

[AZDeepSky]

Fiske, oh no! "Online reading" could be the end of me. Seriously, though, this link sounds fabulous. And all the more so since all I can see is snow, snow, and more snow.

Update: Fiske, I just went to the Linda Hall site. I'm wondering if you have a more specific link to the online astronomical collection? Thanks.

Cheers.
Max

[Fiske]

Max:

What a knucklehead I am! I meant to include links for the pages and totally forgot to do it. Sorry.

Here is a link to De nova stella:

http://www.lindahall...l/ebooks/brahe/

And here's a link to the Digital Services and Collections page:

http://www.lindahall...tal/index.shtml

The De nova stella link is on this page but is under the title of the English translation, Tycho Brahe's 1632 Astronomicall Coniectur [A New Star].

[Fiske]

Oh, here's a link to the OnLine exhibitions page, too. The Face of the Moon and the Out of This World exhibitions are fascinating for those interested in astronomy:

http://www.lindahall...bit/index.shtml

[AZDeepSky]

Fiske,

many thanks. I'll have all day and night to surf: snow, snow, and more snow.

Cheers.
Max

[Fiske]

Max:

Whiner! I've visited Flagstaff and it's fabulous -- any astronomer in the Midwest would give a LOT to have the skies you enjoy.

There is something depressing about trying to observe with snow on the ground, though. Of course, if it's STILL snowing that's depressing from a cloud perspective. But even if it's clear, I find myself reluctant to observe with snow on the ground. It's not the cold, either. One can always dress for that. But for whatever reason, snow really puts me out of the observing mood.

[AZDeepSky]

Fiske,
the viewing conditions from Flagstaff are often "out of this world." The snow is, well, a constant winter time presence.

Jeremey Perez posted a fabulous photograph of the USNO in the "Deep Sky Observing" forum on 12/04/04 (it's on page 3 at the bottom at present; one more post and it'll be at the top of 4). The photo is contained in the first post.

As you can see, if we didn't observe when snow was on the ground, the viewing season in Flagstaff would be mighty short. That's one beautiful photo, eh? And as Jeremy's post explains, the observing that night was over the top.

I don't know of any books that deal with viewing with snow on the ground per se. It's just a fact of life here. I'm always dressed appropriately, so that's not the issue. The primary issue is that, even at a fabulously dark place like the USNO, the dew/light shield is essential. With the shield in place, the views are best described as "awesome DSO's standing out from the black velvet."

If you'll permit me, I'll speculate that city dwellers and those living in areas where it's hard to escape the light pollution of cities (even in the country), are "snow challenged." There are "stellar reading" fans who likely have a book with the perfect explanation of the challenges of (what's it called?) the reflectivity of snow and off axis light. But once the clouds and snow storms go away, we hardly notice the white stuff on the ground.

Cheers.
Max

[Fiske]

Max:

That's a great photo, and having the US Naval Observatory nearby for a dark sky site is pretty spectacular I must say. I didn't realize how much snow Flagstaff got each year although I do recall someone telling me that it gets pretty cold in Flagstaff.

With regard to snow it is extremely bright in midtown KC with snow on the ground. That might be an important factor.

Thanks for mentioning the USNO photo to me.