7 replies to this topic

[pdxastronomy]

Dear Astronomy Colleagues,

 

I am excited to announce the publication of my book "A Comprehensive Field Guide To The NGC".  

 

The field guide is made up of four volumes and has 7,047 black-on-white, 3.25" square images of NGC objects.  Volumes 1/2 contain NGC objects in Autumn/Winter constellations, and Volumes 3/4 contain Spring/Summer constellation objects.  

 

Each volume is printed on Folio size (11 inches X 17 inches; 27.94 cm x 43.18 cm), high-quality, water-proof sheets and is spiral bound on long end for easy flipping of pages.  

 

The front section of each volume contains cross references between the NGC objects and their entries in popular observing catalogs/programs such as Messier, Arp, Caldwell, and Herschel 400.  Additionally, each volume contains a full index of all 7047 objects and their location (Volume# and Page#), as well as a constellation map with the same information. 

 

You will need only one field guide to complete multiple observing programs!

 

Please visit my website www.pdxastronomy.com for additional details, images, and a "take-a-look-inside" section.

 

I am self-publishing this book in my own print shop and will print on demand.  

 

Thank you for looking,

Clear Skies.

 

Bhavesh Parekh

Portland, Oregon.

pdxastronomy.com

pdxastronomy@gmail.com

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Edited by pdxastronomy, 27 September 2020 - 03:53 PM.

[TOMDEY]

Sure looks like a wonderful and useful tome. I have a 36-inch scope in a dome, and decently dark skies (lat 42N) that I use for visual. My favorite targets being ~remote galaxies~ My biggest challenge has been identifying each in a crowded field of other galaxies. Your 3x3-inch images, with each selected NGC right in the center should help immensely.    Tom

[ASTERON]

 Hi Bhavesh,

Very nice effort.  Looks very useful.

There are a few details which are not included in your website.

1) Is 175 folio size the internationaly accepted 30X48 centimeter standard ?

 2) Are the books printed on regular paper or are they laminated and/or dew proof ?

3)  What is the font size of the text (need to know how readable it will be under red light) ?

4) do you ship internationally ?

5) what is the international shipping cost to various locations (EP, Middle east, AU, etc.) ?

 

Thanks for letting us know

 

Keep up the good work

[pdxastronomy]

Hello Asteron, 

 

thank you for your comments and questions.  I will address them here as well as update my website.

 

1) Book size: Folio (or Ledger) is US size, 11 inches x 17 inches.  In metric terms, it is 27.94cm x 43.18cm.

 

2) Books are printed on water-proof paper.  It's been "lab" tested by me as well as field tested.  As "lab" test, I dunked a printed sheet in a bucket of water for few minutes, took it out and wiped with a cloth.  No issues!  I and a couple of my observing buddies used the book during the last new moon - all our equipment was soaking wet with dew.  Books came out fine.  I'd recommend wiping the water off and not let it sit on pages.

 

3) Font used is "Arial Nova" family, and the size of text, accompanying the images, is 9.  It has been easy to read the text under red light.  I have had numerous individuals (of different ages) test the font size before settling on 9.

 

4) Yes, I can ship internationally.  Cost varies significantly depending on the destination country.  I will post the shipping cost information for select destinations shortly.

 

Regards,

Bhavesh. 

[pdxastronomy]

Hello Asteron, 

 

I estimated 138.00 USD shipping cost to Israel.  Since I don't know you specific location, I used a Tel Aviv postal code (6107000).  Actual cost may vary based on your location.

 

thank you for your interest! 

 

Bhavesh.

[ASTERON]

Hello Asteron, 

 

I estimated 138.00 USD shipping cost to Israel.  Since I don't know you specific location, I used a Tel Aviv postal code (6107000).  Actual cost may vary based on your location.

 

thank you for your interest! 

 

Bhavesh.

Hi Bhavesh,

Shipping costs now are very unreasonable because of the COVID situation ( especially for printed matter).

I think I will wait until regular flights are resumed before ordering.

Thanks

[pdxastronomy]

Hi Asteron, 

 

I understand your concern about shipping cost (shipping still is my "day job"!).  This is my cost of shipping via DHL.  I prefer their services better than USPS (whose cost is approximately 95.00 usd).

 

Thank you again!  It is very encouraging to see interest in my book.

 

Bhavesh.

[Terry Trees]

I received a set of the books 3 days ago.  They arrived in mint condition and the 4 volumes weigh about 10 pounds total.  Obviously 3 days is not enough time to read every word and check for errors, but I am extremely impressed.  They are terrific!  What an enormous data collection this is. The info provided for each image is convenient and informative.  Additional names and catalog listings are provided, info not always available.  The reproduced deep sky object images are the best paper versions I've seen.  The covers are also said to be water-proof. This is a resource designed to be used in dewy conditions.

 

Terry