88 replies to this topic

[AZDeepSky]

Fiske, my pleasure, especially since the last week has only allowed reading of top ten lists and surfing the web! The USNO is about 8 minutes from my house. Somebody has to live here, eh?

This is the first really heavy snow winter in some time. The storm last week was the ninth greatest 2 day total in 100 years.

Some KC trivia: I had an aunt who lived in Bonner Springs until she passed away at the age of 101!

Cheers.
Max

[Fiske]

Max:

Eight minutes from the USNO! I'm trying to think of a more ideal location for an amateur astronomer. Hey, this might make a good thread topic -- best location in the world for an amateur astronomer...

We've had so much cloudy and inclement weather this fall and winter in KC I've only observed a handful of times. I haven't seen Macholz yet. Fortunately, I have lots of astronomy books and the web has tons of astro resources.

The mother of one of my observing friends is 100 now, or maybe 101. She lives in an assisted living facility, but I understand that she's still pretty active. It's amazing.

The lady who wrote the original Nancy Drew stories passed away in 2004. She was in here late 90s and was still working daily at a small newspaper as a reporter. She really lead an incredible life -- became a pilot and flew all over the place, did all sorts of interesting things.

[AZDeepSky]

Fiske,
re. ideal spots to live and observe: sounds like a great topic for the observing forum. I regularly monitor the "Deep Sky Observing." From a previous post it sounds like you must have made it out for a Lowell Star Party or some such.

There are any number of books that discuss the world's great professional observatories and the telescopes therein. And there are as you know some books dealing with construction of the amateur's facility. But I do not know of any book --- only short sections --- that discuss actual sites.

I lived in the DFW metro area in Texas from 1973-1994. I remember what it's like to view the night sky through the atmospheric soup (a combination of low elevation, air pollution, light pollution, and water vapor).

There are several sites that the local club uses. One is at a paltry 5000' (but it's warmer, which some folks like in the winter). All are very dark. Before I moved to my present location in Flag, I would often set up on my back patio. I'd say mag 6 naked eye was typical. The only problem was planning around the trees! And an occasional careless neighbor's porch light.

Cheers.
Max

[Jeff]

Thanks to this thread I now own the Night Sky Observer's Guide, Field Guide to the Deep Sky Objects, and Observing Handbook and Catalogue of Deep-Sky Objects... they all look great, especially NSOG!

[Fiske]

Jeff:

I'm pleased to hear you found this thread helpful and have joined the ranks of astro bibliophiles. It sounds like you've added some excellent books to your home library.

Astronomy books are a great way to enjoy amateur astronomy to the fullest. They help you see more at the scope. And, on cloudy nights, they provide solace and entertainment. Not to mention an alternative to this wonderful site.

[AZDeepSky]

Thanks to this thread I now own the Night Sky Observer's Guide, Field Guide to the Deep Sky Objects, and Observing Handbook and Catalogue of Deep-Sky Objects... they all look great, especially NSOG!

Jeff,
reading and more reading is about all the Flagstaff environs have permitted the last couple of weeks. And no end in sight. My observing guides are getting real dog-eared!
Cheers.
Max

[macpurity]

Seeing as this thread is about to reach it's first birthday(!) and that there was a lack of mention for books on Celestial Mechanics, here are my top ten suggestions.

1. W. M. Smart, Celestial Mechanics - the UK perennial classic text. Not cheap.

2. Brouwer & Clemence, Celestial Mechanics - the US perennial classic.

3. S. W. McCuskey, Introduction to Celestial Mechanics - perhaps the most intuitive intro to the subject available.

4. Y. Hagihara, Celestial Mechanics - one of the more comprehensive modern treatments, the MIT classic.

5. M. Schneider, Himmelsmechanik - also a very thorough and modern (post-Newtonian, relativistic) treatment, 4 volumes, in German.

6. P. K. Seidelmann (ed.), Explanatory Supplement to the Astronomical Almanac - This is really how to do all those computations.

7. O. Dziobek, Mathematical Theories of Planetary Motions - I like this Dover Publication (OOP) better than Moulton's Celestial Mechanics.

8. W. M. Smart, Textbook on Spherical Astronomy - or Green's updated versions thereof. Sets the foundation (reference frames, time, spherical trig, etc.) for all further celestial mechanics investigations.

9. O. Montenbruck & E. Gill, Satellite Orbits - in-print and well conceived for studying the dynamics of passive (i.e., non-thrusting) man-made, orbiting objects.

10. W. M. Kaula, Introduction to Planetary Physics - not exactly celestial mechanics per se, but I always find stuff in here that few others have written about.

A good number of these titles are out of print (OOP) and can be pretty pricey when purchased from antiquarian booksellers.

The thing about celestial mechanics is that it is being largely overlooked as a field of study, these days. Most would prefer to rely on their commercial planetarium programs for predicting where the planets and satellites will be in their local skies. An incredible appreciation of the depth and quantitative nature of the science can be gained by spending some time with this material.

For example, the mathematical rigor involved in celestial mechanics is simply stunning; the discipline of reason is highly refined; and the the historical legacy of it's development helps us stay connected to the giants of thought who boldly conceived the means to accurately and precisely describe planetary motions. And to think that they had little idea that humanity would actually send craft to visit these celestial pathways. Check out the beauty of celestial mechanics, but take it slow, no need to bruise one's brain.

MacP

[Dan Luna]

Looking at the price of No. 1 makes me feel a bit better about the couple of large Moon atlases I have on order. I did read the chapter in The Moon by R.A. Proctor (1873) about the many factors affecting its rather complicated motions, which was apparently a cause of much mathematical work in the 1800s. I have a later edition in which he removed most of the maths as being too much for the general reader, but it's still full of geometrical diagrams of forces. That's plenty enough for me, after all this is supposed to be a hobby.

[AZDeepSky]

For example, the mathematical rigor involved in celestial mechanics is simply stunning; the discipline of reason is highly refined; and the the historical legacy of it's development helps us stay connected to the giants of thought who boldly conceived the means to accurately and precisely describe planetary motions. And to think that they had little idea that humanity would actually send craft to visit these celestial pathways. Check out the beauty of celestial mechanics, but take it slow, no need to bruise one's brain.

Now that's a serious list! Let's see, if I bought #5 (4 vols., in German), that ought to at least see me through this cloudy patch. Especially given how rusty my German is. Maybe Heidegger would be a better choice for the German, and McCuskey a better start on celestial mechanics.

Thanks.
Max

[Fiske]

MacP:

You've certainly added a new perspective to the Top Ten list! Thanks for your contribution.

I member of our local club recently donated a book on celestial mechanics to our library. I'll have to check the author. For some reason, I was thinking it might be Smart. Possibly an American reprint?

Fiske

[Dave Mitsky]

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.

Edit

pete

Pete,

I have a copy of _Deep Sky Observing with Small Telescopes_. Despite being somewhat dated as you mentioned, it's one great observing guide.

BTW, a former ASH member wrote one of the chapters.

Dave Mitsky

[macpurity]

Now that's a serious list! Let's see, if I bought #5 (4 vols., in German), that ought to at least see me through this cloudy patch. Especially given how rusty my German is. Maybe Heidegger would be a better choice for the German, and McCuskey a better start on celestial mechanics.

Schneider isn't for the faint of heart. Here's what it looks like (volume 4 is 1150 pages!). It would be good for a period of extended foggy days. And to hold doors opened, if needed.



I don't believe Smart's Celestial Mechanics ever saw an American reprint. Most copies I've seen are of the Longman's 1953 edition. My copy is a NASA GSFC Library discard.

MacP

[Fiske]

MacP:

Our next meeting is on March 26. I'll be sure to check and post who the author is here. I'm probably confused -- it happens a lot...

[macpurity]

In making an ABE search on Smart's Celestial Mechanics, there were several copies available in an Academic Press edition, so I guess there was an American edition, after all. But One would have to say that it remains a UK classic text as Professor Smart taught and worked at the University of Glasgow.