Nebulae and How to Observe Them (Astronomers' Observing Guides) [Paperback]

Steven Coe (Author)

Book Description

Series: Astronomers' Observing Guides | Publication Date: February 6, 2010

This book presents an up-to-date detailed description and categorisation of the large range of astronomical objects that fall under the general heading of nebulae, and then instructs the reader in the best ways to successfully observe and record them. Nebulae and How to Observe Them is a comprehensive mine of information for all levels of amateur observers, from the beginner to the experienced.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "If you’re a beginning or intermediate observer, and if you’re interested in observing nebulae, this is a book you should check out. I like the book for many reasons. Coe writes in a conversational tone. … Coe’s book works as an advanced checklist, but with lots of highly valuable notes." (Michael Bakich, www.astronomy.com, December, 2006) "This slim volume is part of Springer’s Astronomers’ Observing Guides series which is aimed at more-advanced amateur astronomers. … the first 42 pages are taken up with fairly basic information on how to select an observing site. … The second section of the book describes some of the author’s favourite nebulae arranged by observing season. … for beginners who want a basic guide to observing nebulae the book will have a few good tips and a list of targets for them to track down." (Owen Brazell, The Observatory, Vol. 127 (1200), October, 2007) "Coe has written an excellent how-to guide based on his years of observing nebulae in dark locations, mostly in the deserts of the western US. This volume is one in a series of "Astronomers’ Observing Guides’ intended for serious amateur astronomers. … Helpful tips include the use of planetarium software and advice on how to dress warmly. … An appendix lists hundreds of nebulae with catalog number, coordinates, and brief observing notes. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers." (M. Dickinson, CHOICE, Vol. 44 (11), July, 2007) "This book, by S.R. Coe, is published in the series Astronomers’ Observing guides and provides an up-to-date information to the amateur astronomers who want to know all about what they are observing. The objectives and the scope of this book are thus clear … . An appendix contains a listing of a wide variety of nebulae across the entire sky." (Emile Biemont, Physicalia Magazine, Vol. 29 (4), 2007)

From the Back Cover

Nebulae are the places where the stars are born. They can also be opaque clouds of dust that block our view of the stars beyond, starlight reflecting on cosmic dust clouds, or hot luminous expanding gases left over from a supernova explosion. Any description of this class of celestial object is… well… nebulous. And yet this broad category contains the most fascinating and beautiful objects in the night sky. Some are easy to see, while others challenge the most experienced observers. Nebulae and How to Observe Them presents an up-to-date detailed description and categorization of nebulae (part one); and then (part two) describes in practical terms how best to successfully observe and record them. This book is a mine of information for all levels of amateur astronomy, from relative beginners to experienced observers. In one book, here is all you need to understand and observe those diverse and beautiful objects that fall under the heading of ‘nebulae’.

Product Details

• Paperback: 166 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1st Edition. edition (February 6, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1846284821
• ISBN-13: 978-1846284823
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,272,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Guide, May 18, 2007

By 

Andrew Cooper "Andrew Cooper" (Mauna Kea, HI, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nebulae and How to Observe Them (Astronomers' Observing Guides) (Paperback)

Having spent many years at the eyepiece of a telescope and having used more than a few observing guides it is nice to find one I can recommend. Steve Coe is a longtime visual observer well known in Southern Arizona, and his experience shows in this observing guide. Written in a friendly and approachable style, the guide seems more like conversation from a friend sitting at the next telescope than a formal guidebook.

Steve does not attempt to write a complete guide, more a 'best of' selection that covers not only well know objects, but many lesser know objects that deserve more attention and are worth a visit with your telescope.

I will be including this guide in my kit for use at the telescope, what else can you say.

Andrew

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A pleasure to use and read, August 6, 2008

By 

G. Smith (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nebulae and How to Observe Them (Astronomers' Observing Guides) (Paperback)

From the very first look I was extremely impressed with this book. The book begins with a good review of equipment (telescopes, eyepieces, filters and usage), observing skills, site selection and a discussion of various types of nebulae. The main part of the book is a description of a selection of nebulae, ordered by season. There is a sensible black and white photograph accompanying each object. The photo shows rather more than you might see through the average amateur scope, but does not raise expectations by showing some technicolor wonder taken through a large telescope. For the most part the pictures are of good quality, some of them of superb quality, but a handful (eg M76) don't make the grade. The descriptions are good with lots of tips on improving what you can see, written in a nice easy style without being too chatty The book concludes with an appendix containing many more objects than those discussed in detail (around 450 by my estimate), including shorthand descriptions in the Dreyer mode (F, S, R gbM,*9 nf for faint, small, round, gradually brighter towards the middle, star of mag 9 north following--there is a key at the bottom of each page, but with practice it becomes easy to understand)

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beginners guide to Nebulae, June 9, 2008

By 

Robert G. Warren "cometman_75" (South bend, Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nebulae and How to Observe Them (Astronomers' Observing Guides) (Paperback)

This book, is an excellant introduction or beginners guide to the study of nebulae. Without going into the intricate details, it presents the basics needed to understand the physical processes that enable us to observe nebulae. I recommend this book for the novice.