Concise Catalog of Deep-sky Objects: Astrophysical Information for 500 Galaxies, Clusters and Nebulae [Paperback]

W.H. Finlay (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1852336919 | ISBN-13: 978-1852336912 | Publication Date: May 12, 2003 | Edition: 1st Edition.

  Here is a unique and fascinating reference book for every serious deep-sky observer! Entries for each of more than 500 deep-sky objects provide far more than the usual astronomical data – they also detail, in every case, the most interesting facts. Physical factors, astrophysical information, evolution, unusual features, the list is endless. The objects are all listed in NGC order.  Astronomers can now get an insight into exactly what they are looking at, to add a new level of insight and enjoyment to deep-sky observing.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "This is the ideal reference book for the serious amateur … who is ready to dip his toes in the waters of deep-sky astronomy. … Eight types of deep-sky objects are included … . there is a brief description of the object, with useful observing notes and other relevant items of information. … All-in-all W H Finlay’s Concise Catalog of Deep-Sky Objects is an excellent no-nonsense guide for the amateur observer who wishes to start exploring the less familiar reaches of the night-sky." (Brendon K Ward, Astronomy & Space, November, 2004) "The compilation made by the author is in fact very rich in information. … Some 520 NGC objects are listed with all the meaningful data available from over a thousand different sources in the astronomical literature. Data are tabulated for each object … . When available, additional data … are also given. Some particular objects are provided with special charts. … a valuable contribution to the amateur astronomical literature." (Noël Cramer, ORION - Zeitschrift der Schweizerischen Astronomischen Gesellschaft, Vol. 62 (321), 2004)

Product Details

• Paperback: 255 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1st Edition. edition (May 12, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852336919
• ISBN-13: 978-1852336912
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,792,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A guide for the knowledgeable astronomer, February 7, 2005

By 

Donald E. Pensack (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Concise Catalog of Deep-sky Objects: Astrophysical Information for 500 Galaxies, Clusters and Nebulae (Paperback)

At last. A Guide to telescopically observable deep-sky objects that also contains astrophysical information about each one all in one book.
This could replace hours of cross-referencing a variety of astronomical source books.
Especially handy for any owner of today's GoTo telescope, it is also useful for the starhopper, as it contains chart numbers for a couple popular star atlases likely to be used by amateur astronomers.
Other nearby objects are often only mentioned in the text for each object, so the book actually covers more than just 500 objects.
If I can fault the book at all, it is the lack of small-scale finder charts for some of the objects that are in crowded fields of objects. You will have to have charts of some sort to make sense of the fields in which these objects lie. Perhaps in a second edition.
There are many books for the amateur who wishes to expand beyond the basic 500 object lists, but there is a dearth of observing guides for the scientifically up-to-date amateur astronomer just expanding beyond the Messier list.
This is one, and I recommend it.
Don Pensack
Los Angeles