45 replies to this topic

[Physicsman]

And a couple more, including a few (including "Lunar") that have escaped the confines of the shelves...

 

 

[desertstars]

Including a first edition copy of Moon Flight Atlas (last photo, at left)?

 

 

Yes. The holiday season following the Apollo 11 mission saw that book and the lunar globe it accompanied under the Christmas tree. Blew my mind, and that book, the globe, and the old refractor I bought the following summer have followed me through the decades.

[BrentKnight]

My latest addition:

 

 

While this one is obviously for fun, it takes an unbelievable situation and extrapolates from there what would likely happen.  So far it sounds fairly reasonable in terms of the science.

[Michael Rapp]

Yes. The holiday season following the Apollo 11 mission saw that book and the lunar globe it accompanied under the Christmas tree. Blew my mind, and that book, the globe, and the old refractor I bought the following summer have followed me through the decades.

I am legitimately envious of those who were young and amateur astronomers during that era.  It must have been absolutely magical.

[Physicsman]

I am legitimately envious of those who were young and amateur astronomers during that era.  It must have been absolutely magical.

It WAS magical for a number of reasons.

 

Available resources were minimal - no internet, far fewer observer-related books and charts, top notch equipment was way out of reach of the youngster so you made do with what you had. Very little light pollution, well-defined local libraries, pure excitement.

 

Apollo moon landings, unmanned craft discovering stuff we previously knew nothing about.

 

I could probably go on....

[scottinash]

Very well described, Jeff!   I absolutely loved my visits to the school library to look through the latest science related magazines and literally checked out many astronomy/space books multiple times wishing that I owned them.   Most of the annual encyclopedia books of the mid 60’s and early 70's, which my parents were very loyal in purchasing for me, were loaded with space and moon related information. 

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Edited by scottinash, 27 March 2025 - 01:47 PM.

[desertstars]

Missing from the photos I posted (didn't quite manage to pull together the entire scattered collection) are Epic Moon: A History of Lunar Exploration in the Age of the Telescope by William P. Sheehan and Thomas A. Dobbins and The Once and Future Moon by Paul D. Spudis.

[Physicsman]

Missing from the photos I posted (didn't quite manage to pull together the entire scattered collection) are Epic Moon: A History of Lunar Exploration in the Age of the Telescope by William P. Sheehan and Thomas A. Dobbins and The Once and Future Moon by Paul D. Spudis.

 "Epic Moon", now there's a classic...

 

Took me a while to get a copy 3 years back and ended up  paying $100 for a near-mint copy via ABE. Then Willmann Bell reprinted and I bought a new copy for $40.

 

Oh well, it was worth it.

 

As for the Spudis - thanks for mentioning it. I'd forgotten, about that one - it's lurking on the right side of one of those shelves!

 

A group of books missing from my pics include some of the traditionally-written Patrick Moore stuff, eg. "Guide to the Moon", resident on another shelf.

 

Then there's all the electronic stuff that Scott has sent me!!   

[eyeoftexas]

Missing Lunar, which is too tall to fit on the shelf.

 

 

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[Physicsman]

I get the impression that some of us REALLY are selenophiles. Lovely to see people's collections of lunar literature.

 

Compared to a few decades back we certainly are well-catered for.

 

Of course, the same thing would likely happen if someone set up a "Show us your DSO bookshelf".

 

Keep the bookshelf pics coming.

Edited by Physicsman, 27 March 2025 - 07:54 PM.

[scottinash]

Missing Lunar, which is too tall to fit on the shelf.

Thanks for sharing your shelf!   Treatise on Moon Maps jumped out at me!   I do not have that book (yet) but recognized that I had a bookmark with the author's name, Frank Manasek.    Can you please share your opinion of the book?

[eyeoftexas]

Thanks for sharing your shelf!   Treatise on Moon Maps jumped out at me!   I do not have that book (yet) but recognized that I had a bookmark with the author's name, Frank Manasek.    Can you please share your opinion of the book?

Well, I have to admit that I’ve not had time yet to fully read it (I’m a slow reader).  I’ve only had a chance to skim through it, but it looks very detailed and gives a lot of insights into lunar maps through time.  And my god the number of images and illustrations is incredible. It looks like at least half of the book is simply images!  I’m hoping to get to it this summer once this semester is over. 

[RazvanUnderStars]

 "Epic Moon", now there's a classic...

I think this excerpt from the book's beginning beautifully captures why we observe the Moon. I still feel part of that grand adventure. 

 

"In the matter of lunar exploration, the eye arrived before the boot. Those who set out from the eyepieces of telescopes participated in a grand adventure which made them pioneers in their day as much as the astronauts have been in ours. Though they have been largely forgotten, along with the noisy worlds of controversy they once inhabited, they ought to receive their due, for they were, indeed, the first to the Moon."

[Michael Rapp]

I think this excerpt from the book's beginning beautifully captures why we observe the Moon. I still feel part of that grand adventure. 

 

"In the matter of lunar exploration, the eye arrived before the boot. Those who set out from the eyepieces of telescopes participated in a grand adventure which made them pioneers in their day as much as the astronauts have been in ours. Though they have been largely forgotten, along with the noisy worlds of controversy they once inhabited, they ought to receive their due, for they were, indeed, the first to the Moon."

I remember that quote!  That indeed was an excellent book.  I didn't have a copy, so I checked out one from my university's library.  About a chapter in, I realized this would be a great thing to read on my first cross-Atlantic trip to Europe.  

 

However, I didn't want to risk losing the book in Europe so I photocopied all 300+ pages (that took a bit) to read on the plane.  (Clearly, this was pre-Kindle!)  I couldn't put it down and read the entire thing on the flights over and back.

[zoso916]

Memorial bookshelf for my dad not strictly a lunar bookshelf but it does have a lunar aspect.

Dad, on the right. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TIROS-1

[JOEinCO]

Why? Why why why WHY???

 

Why do I even open these Topics? I wonder how much this is gonna cost me.....   

[helpwanted]

Why? Why why why WHY???

 

Why do I even open these Topics? I wonder how much this is gonna cost me.....   

Yeah these book threads can cost more than the new eyepiece threads! 

[desertstars]

Why? Why why why WHY???

 

Why do I even open these Topics? I wonder how much this is gonna cost me.....   

Because... books...

[Physicsman]

Why? Why why why WHY???

 

Why do I even open these Topics? I wonder how much this is gonna cost me.....   

As they say "(Astronomy) book buying can seriously damage your wealth....."

 

 But you'll feel MUCH better after doing it!       

[Staredge]

Sigh.   I agree.   Luna Cognita looks fantastic.  It’ll have to wait in my Amazon cart until next payday.  

[Physicsman]

Sigh.   I agree.   Luna Cognita looks fantastic.  It’ll have to wait in my Amazon cart until next payday.  

And when you DO get a copy you'll wonder why you waited so long!

 

But anticipation adds to the joy of the hobby...