Deep-Sky Companions: Hidden Treasures [Paperback]

Stephen James O'Meara (Author)

Book Description

Stephen O'Meara's new and exciting observing guide spotlights an original selection of 109 deep-sky objects that will appeal to sky-watchers worldwide. His 'hidden treasures' include a wonderful assortment of galaxies, open clusters, planetary nebulae and more, all of which have been carefully chosen based on their popularity and ease of observing. None of these objects are included in either the Messier or the Caldwell catalogs, and all are visible in a 4-inch telescope under dark skies. Stunning photographs and beautiful drawings accompany detailed visual descriptions of the objects, which include their rich histories and astrophysical significance. The author's original finder charts are designed to help observers get to their targets fast and efficiently.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Deep-Sky Companions: ‘Steve O’Meara has done it again. [This book] is a beautifully written, personal guide for observing 109 of the most beautiful objects in the night sky, plus 20 more personally chosen deep-sky treasures. Coupled with O’Meara’s own meticulous observations, the rich observational history and current scientific knowledge of each object bring this book to life, and the depth of O’Meara’s writing makes it a real gem.’ David H. Levy

‘An indispensable guide for anyone who observes the night sky with a quality amateur telescope from a reasonably dark place. Here are tips for viewing - and understanding! - more than one hundred entrancing galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae available to the backyard enthusiast. With its wealth of scientific and historical information, and its poetic sensibility, the book gave me immense pleasure even before I left my easy chair.’ Chet Raymo

‘ … there is no better guide than Stephen O’Meara’s book. For each object there is a photograph, a finder chart, basic data, a discussion of what is seen through small telescopes, and some history of telescopic ideas. This is not a treatise on astrophysics, but an observer’s guide, a worthy and superior successor to previous attempts.’ Stephen P. Maran, Nature

‘Steve O’Meara says the purpose of the book is to provide new and experienced observers with a fresh perspective on these objects. He has succeeded brilliantly.’ Astronomy & Space

‘... impressive ... contains careful descriptions of each object, finder maps, telescopic drawings, and photographs. The text is spirited and informed, and the result is a must-have on the bookshelf of deep-sky enthusiasts.’ Astronomy Magazine

‘... packed with useful advice, historical facts, and interesting anecdotes.’ Robert Argyle, The Observatory

‘… this is an excellent book and it deserves a place on the bookshelf of both the novice and experienced amateur astronomer.’ The Journal of the British Astronomical Association

‘All in all, the book lives up to the author’s claim about offering a new perspective and is thoroughly up to date and very readable book on the subject. I feel that it offers all deep sky observers something. Highly recommended.’ Faith Jordan, Webb Society Quarterly Journal

Book Description

Stephen O'Meara's new and exciting observing guide spotlights an original selection of 109 deep-sky objects that will appeal to sky-watchers worldwide. Stunning photographs and beautiful drawings accompany finder charts and detailed visual descriptions of the objects, which include their rich histories and astrophysical significance.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521545501
• ISBN-13: 978-0521545501
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A somewhat self-indulgent O'Meara, but an O'Meara nonetheless, August 13, 2008

By 

Pierre Dessemontet (Yverdon, VD Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Deep-Sky Companions: Hidden Treasures (Hardcover)

Let's begin with the goodies.

After 2 similar books, Deep Sky Companions: The Messier Objects (Deep-Sky Companions) and Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects (Deep-Sky Companions), O'Meara has done it again by giving us a list, this time its own, of 110 objects that aren't included in the Messier or Caldwell catalogs. As always, each object is lavishly illustrated and described in the text and you will know everything there is to know about them. The selection of objects is very good and as such the book gives us amateurs 110 more objects to study. So far, five stars.

But obviously O'Meara seems to be as enthralled by piracy history than by his subject, and boy does it show: every object is compared to one or another pirate's story, up to the title (hidden treasures?) - if you're not into that, it becomes quickly rather irritating. I would have preferred O'Meara staying on track and talking about astronomy, like he did in his two first essays: after all, that's what this book is supposed to be about. Another disappointment concerns the finder maps - they certainly aren't as good, by a wide margin, than they were in the two preceding books. You will need better maps than that to locate objects at the telescope.

In all, well, mixed feelings: an O'Meara allright, a very good and beautiful selection of object for us all to see and seek by one of the best visual observers alive - but one that has seemingly grown a tad too pleased with himself for this reviewer to be completely comfortable.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, September 3, 2007

By 

Eric M. Strang (Cheney, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Deep-Sky Companions: Hidden Treasures (Hardcover)

O'Meara has put together another great book. Here he takes us off the beaten path somewhat in search of deep sky treasure that many observers may neglect. In addition to the NGC and IC catalogues, he also ventures into lesser known catalogues such as Melotte, Trumpler, and Collinder as well as one of his own objects. As with previous volumes in the Deep Sky Companions series, each object is given a photo, drawing, and a finder chart as well as complete historical information. In addition to observations made with his trusty Tele Vue Genesis 4" refractor, observations from other observers using larger scopes are also included. All done in a writing style that is one of the most enjoyable today. Highly recommended for the deep sky observer!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After Messier, this is the one catalog you need!, August 7, 2007

By 

G. Yanez (Montréal, Quebec Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Deep-Sky Companions: Hidden Treasures (Hardcover)

Amateur astronomers surely agree that Messier and Caldwell catalogs missed many wonderful objects in the sky (north and south). Why not just ask a REAL deepsky observer to build a list of the missing gems? Well, that is exactly what this book offers. The 109 objects listed were observed by the author in a moderately small refractor telescope under dark skies. I have only observed a sample of objects in the entire list but do believe that the remainder are worth a try. Every object is introduced with such passion and in such an enthusiastic way that you really feel like going outside and give it a try.
5 stars!