Field Guide to Deep-Sky Objects [Paperback]

Mike Inglis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1852336307 | ISBN-13: 978-1852336301 | Publication Date: April 27, 2001 | Edition: 1

Field Guide to the Deep Sky Objects is a uniquely usable guide for observers. Following detailed descriptive summaries of each class of object, it includes extensive lists of deep-sky targets which are classified according to type of object:
- Stars (bright, coloured, double, triple, quad, multiple);
- The spectral sequence;
- Clusters;
- Globular clusters;
- Stellar associations;
- Stellar streams;
- Nebulae (emission, dark, reflection, planetary);
- Supernovae remnants;
- Galaxies (spiral, elliptical, irregular).
Each of these groups is organised by month of best visibility, and within that by ease of observing. Simply, this means that you can choose a class of object, and for any month of the year find an observing list that begins with easiest through to progressively more difficult targets!
Amateur astronomers of all levels of ability will find this book invaluable for its broad-ranging background material, its lists of fascinating objects, and for its application as "graded exercises" to improve practical observing skills while viewing many different types of deep-sky object.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews:

"Inglis’s Field Guide to the Deep Sky Objects is brimming with information in tabular form. The statistical approach means fewer descriptions but permits consultation of material right at the telescope. I waded into the section on star clusters and was delighted to find notes on clusters of every dimension … . Each cluster garners two lines of stats but the best-known Messier and NGC entries blossom into informative and consistently well-written paragraphs. … Inglis has a dry wit and a friendly writing style." (Ken Hewitt-White, Sky & Telescope, November, 2001)

"The Field Guide to the Deep Sky Objects serves as a useful guide for observers of the sky. … the book provides a valuable introduction to astronomical observation. … This book’s ability to allow readers to determine what one is able to see at any given time of the year … represents its most valuable and unique feature. … its ease of use should make the book appealing to general readers and amateur astronomers, in addition to those more advanced in stargazing." (Kymberly Goodson, E-STREAMS, Vol. 5 (10), 2002)

"New from Mike Inglis is the Field Guide to the Deep Sky Objects … . Good planning is the way to ensure best use of observing time and that’s what this book is all about. The introductory chapter provides solid sensible advice on the art of observing ... . Field Guide to the Deep Sky Objects is a very useful aid to organized observing and I will certainly be using it to bring some organization to my observing nights!" (Astronomy & Space, June, 2001)

Product Details

• Paperback: 324 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (April 27, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1852336307
• ISBN-13: 978-1852336301
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,167,369 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Review and Suggestions, August 16, 2001

By 

Teri Denson (Camarillo, California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Field Guide to Deep-Sky Objects (Paperback)

This is a useful addition to my growing library. However, the item arrangement takes some getting used to and anyone purchasing this book should read the introductory text in each chapter to better understand how Inglis has organized this volume before using it in the field. His text is very readable and the explanations useful for anyone who doesn't want to get immersed in a lot of technical detail.

One drawback for me is that Inglis mixes Northern and Southern Hemisphere objects in his lists. I intend to add some sort of notation to indicate this. Adding the common name of the constellation in which the object is located would be another worthy addition for those of us who are truly "amateurs".

If Inglis ever revises this book, I would humbly suggest that the chapters be arranged in halves -- one for northern hemisphere objects and one for the southern hemisphere.

Another feature of this book that could be either an advantage or a disadvantage (depending on one's perspective) is that grouping similar objects (eg. variable stars) together makes it really difficult to use this volume in the field if you want to observe many different types of objects. On the other hand, I have never done any field observation that consisted of looking at only one type of object (to compare and contrast etc.) and this book has motivated me to try this technique.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A practical field guide, May 28, 2001

By 

Taras R. Hnatyshyn (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Field Guide to Deep-Sky Objects (Paperback)

This is one book which I will make sure is with me when I am with my telescope at a dark site. Organized by type of object and month(s) of best viewing, this book is an indispensible guide to the various deep sky objects visible, with their locations and which day they transit the meridian at midnight. Objects are grouped as stars, clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and faint/far away/invisible. This text goes beyond the Messier objects and has objects from various sources with descriptions as they would appear in most amatuer telescopes or binoculars.

This book does seem to be targeted at Northern hemisphere observers, as I do not believe any of the objects listed are south of 42 deg S, with the exception of stars.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars exactly what I was looking for, May 17, 2001

By 

Jake (cloudy Dearborn/Kalamazoo MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Field Guide to Deep-Sky Objects (Paperback)

I'll make this quick... I'm an ATM and an avid astro-buff.. I've always wondered what I *should* be seeing. This book clears up many questions and puts forth a practical collection of data describing what to expect to see with moderate telescopes up to 10 inches (dia) or so. - excellent format and very well organized - great detail - gives human description of objects in text - no false impressions by giving fancy color photos - feels like reading my own notes. If you like the title... you will like this book. Definetely a guide worth having!