Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects [Hardcover]

Stephen James O'Meara (Author), Patrick Moore (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521827965 | ISBN-13: 978-0521827966 | Publication Date: February 3, 2003

For more than two centuries, amateur astronomers have earned their stripes by observing the 109 star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies cataloged by French comet hunter Charles Messier. Sir Patrick Moore has compiled a new list of 109 deep-sky delights, the Caldwell Catalog, which covers the entire celestial sphere. Stephen James O'Meara has observed all 109 Caldwell objects and Deep Sky Companions presents his beautiful sketches and detailed visual descriptions and discusses each object's rich history and astrophysical significance. The latest fundamental data on each object are tabulated, and the book's star charts will lead observers to each object's precise location. Stephen James O'Meara is known worldwide for his precise drawings of astronomical objects as seen through the telescope. Among his many astronomical achievements, he was the first to sight Halley's Comet on its 1985 return; he noticed the dark spokes in Saturn's B ring before the Voyager 1 spacecraft imaged them; and he was the first person to determine the rotation period of the distant planet Uranus. The International Astronomical Union named asteroid 3637 O'Meara in his honor. He is also the author of Deep Sky Companions: The Messier Objects (Cambridge, 1998) and co-author with his wife, Donna Donovan O'Meara, of Volcanoes: Passion and Fury (Sky Publishing, 1994).

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a great read" Bob Casgrain, Stardust

"The production values of the book are superb...The Caldwell Objects is strongly recommended to collections with an emphasis on amateur astronomy, and would certainly be appropriate for academic collections supporting astronomy programs that offer courses in deep sky observation." E-STREAMS

"After his brilliant Deep-Sky Companions: The Messier Objects, Steve O'Meara has done it again. Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects 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, Parade Science Editor and Codiscoverer of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9

"Stephen O'Neara's Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects is 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, Author, 365 Starry Nights and an Intimate Look at the Night Sky

"I think this series will long survive as a great set of observing books." Planetarian, Karl von Ahnen, De Anza College

Book Description

Carefully compiled by Sir Patrick Moore, the Caldwell Catalog of deep-sky objects covers the entire celestial sphere, highlighting cosmic wonders for observers worldwide. Stephen James O'Meara has tirelessly observed all 109 Caldwell objects. Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects presents not only his beautiful sketches and detailed visual descriptions--it discusses each object's rich history and astrophysical significance. The latest data on each object are given, and star charts will lead observers to each object's precise location. This book is co-published with Sky Publishing Corporation.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 500 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (February 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521827965
• ISBN-13: 978-0521827966
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,196,736 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Armchair Astronomers" will love this book!, January 30, 2004

By 

Rodger Raubach (Converse County ,WY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects (Hardcover)

When Sir Patrick Caldwell-Moore had his list of interesting objects , 109 in all , published in the December , 1995 issue of Sky and Telescope magazine , it became an instant "hit" with the amateur astronomical community. The list "mirrors" the list of Messier objects in number , and offers a real challenge to neophyte "deep sky" observers.

The list compiled by Sir Patrick covers a wide variety of objects , as well as a range of difficulty that makes observation of all items on the list a problematic. Many of the objects are found in the skies of the Southern Hemisphere , adding some spice to the already great challenge. Included are some very attractive star clusters , really awesome bright nebulae , distant galaxies , and many "planetary" nebulae.

Author O'Meara has done an excellent job with this second volume of Deep Sky Companions , better that the first ; many of the objects will probably never be seen by many amateur astronomers unwilling or unable to travel to Australia or South America to see the South Circimpolar Caldwell objects , hence my title to this review!

As in the previous volume on the Messier objects , each entry includes a photograph , a sky chart (too small a scale!) , a sketch made by the author at the eyepiece, and an excellent textual description and astrophysical analysis.

This book is definitely a "must own" for every serious backyard observer. It is not without a few flaws : i.e. the scale of the charts being next to useless , and the somewhat over optimistic description of what the average observer might be able to see.
Still worthy of a strong 4 stars. Recommended!

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Observers Delight, October 13, 2003

By 

John G. Hudler "M.D." (Rolla, Mo USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects (Hardcover)

Stephan James O'Meara has done it again! In the fashion of his book on Mesier Objects, he has again produced a book that will guide and inform the lover of the night sky armed with a telescope. In chapter one he begins with a story involving an old man and Arcturus which deeply moved me, and later my wife when I read it to her, and which lead naturally into why we observe the night sky so passionately. The bulk of the text, however, is in the second chapter where the author describes each of the 109 Caldwell objects in detail. Each object has a astrophotograph, his eyepeice impression drawing, a finder chart and visual description done in such elegance that everytime I read it I am awed all the more by what I am observing. In addition, Stephan has included interesting historical and astrophysical information about each of the objects. As I observe firsthand these objects with his book on my lap I am amazed at what I can see that I would not have seen without Stephan's guidance. This is a masterpeice for the avid observer! Thanks, Stephan.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Guide, November 19, 2008

By 

Lawrence M. Kuklinski "FlyingFalcon" (Erie, Pa USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects (Hardcover)

Steve Omera book "Deep-Sky Companions" is an excellent read and night time companion. I used to look at the night sky. Steve Omera's book has opened my brain to the sights. His descriptions use the same artistic language as a professional wine tester. In addition, his book uses quality paper and I have them while I observe. Dew does not seem to affect the paper, photographs or text in any fashion. All of Steve Omera's books are now on my short list for purchase.