2484 replies to this topic

[Alex_V]

I'd like to start a new topic about books people acquired recently, let's say starting from beginning of 2022.

I hope, it gives new ideas to collectors or just  anyone looking for a new books to read.

I'll start:

First two books came from this thread:

https://www.cloudyni...as-of-galaxies/

 

 

 

Moderator Note:

I'm going to add this spreadsheet to the first post in this topic so (hopefully) it will be easier to locate.

 

This is a list of books mentioned here through the first year (20 pages):  List of Books from What Book(s) CN Topic.xlsx   17.4KB   54 downloads

 

 

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[weis14]

I picked up a copy of H.A. Rey's The Stars a few weeks ago, mostly because I found one cheap.  It is a really well written book and does a good job of explaining concepts at a beginners level.

[Alex65]

I have just received this ebay purchased book thru the mail a couple of days ago. It is a biography of Patrick Moore (1923 - 2012) by Martin Mobberley, another British amateur astronomer. Despite the stupid title it is a very interesting, and hugely enjoyable, book to read. The book runs to 655 pages! 

 

[Alex_V]

Just received.

This one and another in a first post came from this:

https://www.cloudyni...r#entry11797060

 

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Edited by Alex_V, 30 March 2022 - 12:07 PM.

[Knasal]

This one, it’s excellent: William Herschel: Discoverer of the Deep Sky by Wolfgang Steinicke

 

https://www.amazon.c...734776709&psc=1

 

Kevin

[desertstars]

This one, it’s excellent: William Herschel: Discoverer of the Deep Sky by Wolfgang Steinicke

 

https://www.amazon.c...734776709&psc=1

 

Kevin

Acquired this one in January, and I'm coming up on finishing a straight-through read of it. Excellent indeed, and well worth the price and the time spent turning the pages.

 

Since then, I've acquired Chasing Hubble's Shadows: The Search For Galaxies At The Edge Of Time and Cosmic Connection: How Astronomical Events Impact Life On Earth, both by the author of Annals of the Deep Sky, Jeff Kanipe. Haven't read either of them yet - but will soon.

 

And most recently of all, Messier's Nebulae and Star Clusters (Practical Astronomy Handbooks) and The Search for the Nebulae, both by Kenneth Glyn Jones.

[JOEinCO]

I just nabbed a copy of an oldie for a Fiver. Sometimes I enjoy seeing how our knowledge has changed in the few short decades since these books were written. And I am powerless against a deal.

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[BFaucett]

I'm currently enjoying this book. I'm about two thirds of the way through it. I'm learning some interesting history that I wasn't aware of. For example, I had no idea about the role of George Darwin concerning theories of the origin of the Moon. If you enjoy lunar observing, as I do, then I think this book would be of interest.
       

    
The Big Splat
Or How Our Moon Came to Be
by Dana Mackenzie
   
"This lively science history relates one of the great recent breakthroughs in planetary astronomy - a successful theory of the birth of the Moon. Science journalist Dana Mackenzie traces the evolution of this theory, one little known outside the scientific community: a Mars-sized object collided with Earth some four billion years ago, and the remains of this colossal explosion - the Big Splat - came together to form the Moon. Beginning with notions of the Moon in ancient cosmologies, Mackenzie relates the fascinating history of lunar speculation, moving from Galileo and Kepler to George Darwin (son of Charles) and the Apollo astronauts, whose trips to the lunar surface helped solve one of the most enigmatic mysteries of the night sky: who hung the Moon?"
     
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wiley; 1st edition (March 1, 2003)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
     
Amazon: https://www.amazon.c.../dp/0471150576/

   

   
The Big Splat was recommended by Dr. Becky on her YouTube channel which is how I became aware of it. She mentions the book, along with some other book recommendations, in this video starting at approx 34:34 :
   
   

    
Live Book Signing and Q&A
video posted to YouTube on: Streamed live on Nov 29, 2020
YouTube channel: Dr. Becky
     
video: https://www.youtube....MMONJA0&t=2074s
starting at approx 34:34
     

 

About Dr. Becky Smethurst:
University of Oxford: https://www.physics....eople/smethurst
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia...Becky_Smethurst
 
 
Cheers! Bob F. 

Edited by BFaucett, 02 April 2022 - 01:28 PM.

[Chris K]

Celestial Objects for the Common Telescope, Volumes I & II

 

Sight unseen, they have different covers because they're different editions.

[mikemarotta]

I bought these two written by one of our regulars, desertstars.

 

 

Three-Legged Newt: "A collection of essays for amateur astronomers, inspired by an eight-inch disc of polished glass perched atop a tripod of steel."

Mr. Olcott's Skies: "A passion for star-gazing often starts in a modest way, with a small telescope. For some, that modest beginning becomes a theme that resonates through a lifetime. Mr. Olcott’s Skies is the story of one such beginning, and of how a small telescope and an old book set the author on a long and often indirect road to the stars. It’s the tale of a journey that has only just begun, and of the discovery that you really do need to look back the way you’ve come, to understand where you are."

 

Thanks,

Mike M.

Edited by mikemarotta, 01 April 2022 - 09:19 PM.

[Sagitta]

Atlas of Uranus

by Garry Hunt and Patrick Moore

 

 

 

[jcj380]

Another addition to my list of lists. 

 

[Jeff Lee]

Since we have a "microscopes and cloudy days" forum, I think this book counts:

 

Microfossils by Armstrong & Brasier. I found a like new used copy for only $41! 

 

 

 

 

[Corcaroli78]

I received weeks ago Sky Vistas: Astronomy for Binoculars and Rich Field Telescopes by Craig Crossen. What a wonderful book! 

 

But, as summer is approaching and the long scandinavian days will come, limiting the night sky observation, i have ordered Solar Astronomy by Christian Viladrich, which i think will keep me entertained while i learn more about the Sun

 

Carlos  

[Todd N]

SKYSHOOTING: Hunting the Stars With Your Camera (Mayall & Mayall1949)

 Astrophotography with common equipment for the time, do-it-yourself projects and some examples from advanced amateur systems. An interesting take on an EQ platform has basically a couple of 2x4s at a right angle with a polar axis shaft as the hypotenuse angled towards Polaris, camera and  guidescope mounted on polar axis shaft and hand driven.  I might make one of these with a tracking motor. About as simple as can be.

 

SKYSHOOTING, 1968 paperback version with some updates.

 

Handbook For Star Trackers (Jim Ballard 1985)

 Manual to construct barndoor trackers

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[BrentKnight]

I should have the loan paid off in a couple years, but I just had to have these...

 

 

Handbook of Astronomy by George F. Chambers (Volume 1 and 3)

Side-Lights on Astronomy by Simon Newcomb

Discoverers of the Universe by Michael Hoskin

The Search for the Nebulae by Kenneth Glyn Jones

The Cambridge Photographic Atlas of Galaxies by Konig and Binnewies

A Selection of Photographs of Stars, Star-Clusters and Nebulae by Isaac Roberts

The Hubble Atlas of Galaxies by Allan Sandage

The Carnegie Atlas of Galaxies by Allan Sandage (Volume 1 and 2)

 

 

[JOEinCO]

I should have the loan paid off in a couple years.....

 

That assumes you're done buying. Which makes me        .

[Alex_V]

A Selection of Photographs of Stars, Star-Clusters and Nebulae by Isaac Roberts

 

What's is your opinion on this book. To my understanding it's reprint BoD. How's the quality of the prints? There is also Volume 2.

I like old B/W photos, that's why I highly recommend "Astrophotography with the Schmidt Telescope" by
Siegfried Marx, Werner Pfau, Phillip Lamble

[BrentKnight]

What's is your opinion on this book. To my understanding it's reprint BoD. How's the quality of the prints? There is also Volume 2.

I like old B/W photos, that's why I highly recommend "Astrophotography with the Schmidt Telescope" by
Siegfried Marx, Werner Pfau, Phillip Lamble

I posted a pic over on this topic.  Overall, the book is a great historical reference and the text printing is excellent.  I was disappointed by the washed out images though (as I feared they would be).  Realistically these Cambridge reprints are the only practical way to get these books though as the originals are very scarce and very expensive.  Still...I think they are better than the PDF's on the Internet Archive.

[BrentKnight]

That assumes you're done buying. Which makes me        .

I've come to the point where I can only buy books that are older than me...

[desertstars]

I've come to the point where I can only buy books that are older than me...

Which would explain the debt load. 

[Alex_V]

Cosmic Pinwheels is softcover, and quality of printing is not so good. Remind me some print on demand books. All photos are washed out. If anybody who has hardcover, can comment on print quality.

 

 

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[turtle86]

Cosmic Pinwheels is softcover, and quality of printing is not so good. Remind me some print on demand books. All photos are washed out. If anybody who has hardcover, can comment on print quality.

 

I ordered the hardcover version, and I sure don't think that the print quality is the best.  It's a far cry from the quality of the new Herschel book.  Plus, the book arrived damaged and I initially thought of just getting a refund.  But I read a few pages and thought the content is really good so I decided to order a replacement copy.  Buta writes very well and the book reminds me a bit of the Annals series, with the focus on galaxies of course.  If you like galaxies this is a good one to have.

[faackanders2]

"Backyard Astronomers Guide" 4th edition, and the new large thick "William Hershell- Discoverer of the Deep Sky" book.  ]

The former is an easier read.  The latter very detailed and in depth of W. Hershel and his discoveries/observations.

Edited by faackanders2, 12 April 2022 - 08:08 PM.

[Alex_V]

Another package came

 

 

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