The Night Sky Observer's Guide : Vol. 1 [Hardcover]

George Robert Kepple (Author), Glen W. Sanner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1998

Amateur astronomers today are exceptionally fortunate to be living in an era when high quality, and very large, optics are so affordable. In the first half of the 20th century the telescope deluxe for the amateur was the 6-inch refractor. However, such telescopes were so expensive that very few amateurs could afford them: the majority of stargazers had to content themselves with instruments in the 60mm range. Consequently, most observing guides published during that time emphasized double and multiple stars, with honorable mention for variable stars and planetary nebulae, objects which do well in long focal length refractors. Webb's 1858 Celestial Objects for Common Telescopes and Olcott's 1936 Field Book of the Skies were not superceded for so many decades simply because the average amateur instrument did not dramatically improve during the century after Webb. By the 1950s the mass-produced or homemade 6-inch parabolic mirror brought medium-sized optics into the price range of the average amateur, and with it the emission nebulae, open clusters, and galaxies that had been seen only as amorphous blobs-if seen at all-in small refractors. The The 1948 Skalnate Pleso Atlas of the Heavens had already displaced the classic Norton's Star Atlas as the frontline sky-chart for amateurs, but the observing guides badly needed rewriting. However, not until the 1970s and Burnham's Celestial Handbook was there an observing guide worthy of the 6-in

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Willmann-Bell (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0943396581
• ISBN-13: 978-0943396583
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Astronomy & Space Science > Star-Gazing

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Both volumes - information among the finest we've ever seen., August 9, 2001

By 

Bill Wiegert (The Belmont Society - Belmont, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Night Sky Observer's Guide : Vol. 1 (Hardcover)

If it wasn't for the fact that this work is such an exhaustive expression of observational material, and partially devoted to users of larger telescopes, it would most certainly be placed on the Belmont Society's "Required Reading List". As it is, these two wonderful volumes of information are both extraordinarily useful and educationally priceless for intermediate beginners and the advanced amateur. It is mostly "tilted" at users of larger scopes, but those of us who have an interest in small and medium-sized instruments will greatly appreciate its enormous cache of useful information - i.e.: just double stars alone, to cite an example.

By itself, the data is worth the price of admission. But the foundational text is a bottomless well from which to draw buckets of valuable knowledge about all the known types of deep space objects. This information is compiled in an ideal arrangement, and is laid out in logical and sensible format. Explanations and informative text are among the finest we've ever seen. The sheer quantity of information, along with an exemplary written style gives the impression that this work was composed by scores of eminent astrophysicists and astronomers, all contributing within the realms of their individual specialties, and then edited by a single omnipotent director. And sure enough, there is a lengthy acknowledgment to the contributors, the roster of which is very extensive, and the complexion of which is almost exclusively amateur.

The work is divided into two volumes or seasonal groups - Volume #1 is dedicated to Fall and Winter constellations, and #2 consists of Spring and Summer. Each volume is divided into segments, which present its constellations in alphabetical order. Each constellation begins with an impressively detailed list of double stars. Then there are the deep sky objects - dark nebulae, emission nebulae, globulars, galaxies, etc. Each individual object is given a description and a graphic rating (5 stars for the very best, and so on) with notes that justify its rank. Additionally, objects are listed in chart form by type as well. Sad to say, objects below a minimal southern latitude are not included.

For the most part, object descriptions are presented as seen with apertures between 8 and 12 inches (and larger). Roughly 30 percent of the observations are described as seen with smaller apertures, and some binocular objects are listed as well. As mentioned, the double star listings are superbly done. There are over 2,100 worthy examples of these. This list is among the most detailed we've ever seen.

These are a pair of really big books! There's an interesting but typical reaction displayed upon seeing one close-up for the first time. They dwarf the average encyclopedia edition (remember those?). They are even bigger than the law books you see behind the District Attorney's desk on a TV serial. And we appreciate the hard glossy cover with no separate jacket to rip or lose. They aren't cheap books either. It would seem practical for the amateur on a budget to acquire them separately.

Kepple and Sanner are amateur astronomers who've created a magnificent work, worthy of commendation reserved for meritorious professionals. The magnitude of their efforts is astonishing, even considering that all of it was pieced together from smaller works that they themselves authored quite some time ago. We are so impressed with the quality of this work, that we've given it "Honorable Mention" status on the Belmont Society's "Required Reading" list. The only reason it didn't make the main list is because many amateurs do not have access to, or are deprived of the opportunity or the means to use larger aperture telescopes.

Very highly recommended.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A top-shelf set of books in my astronomical library., May 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Night Sky Observer's Guide : Vol. 1 (Hardcover)

Finally a set of books that has the amateur with large apeture telescope in mind. The majority of the observations were made with 12-1/2" to 25" telescopes under varied conditions and locations. The drawings are more useful than the usual photographs as drawings with accompanying descriptions and photos accurately reflect what an observer can expect to see at the eyepiece. The multitude of star field charts are useful and the arrangement of objects by constellation is handy as well. Overall, a very good presentation and a work that will prove useful at the telescope in the field.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an Accomplishment!!, December 22, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Night Sky Observer's Guide (Hardcover)

I just received my hefty copy of this wonderful and encyclopedic work in today's mail. I can't remember the last time I was so completely satisfied and thrilled with a book purchase! If you are at all serious about amateur astronomy, this book is truly a "MUST OWN" item. When people told me it was "even better than Burnham's" classic work I thought they must be exaggerating. They weren't. It is better than Burnham's in all matters of practical significance to the amateur observer. It covers many more celestial objects and contains much detailed and useful information about each one. The layout and design of the pages are much superior to Burnham's as well, as are the ubiquitous maps, drawings and illustrations. Burnham's still has more "star lore" material, -- so you'll want to keep your old copies -- but all in all this is a much more usable and complete observer's guide. Truly this is a solid five star product! Congratulations to the authors on their incredible accomplishment!