Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope - and How to Find Them [Hardcover]

Guy Consolmagno (Author), Dan M. Davis (Author), Karen Kotash Sepp (Illustrator), Anne Drogin (Illustrator), Mary Lynn Skirvin (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 23, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0521781906 | ISBN-13: 978-0521781909 | Edition: 3

A superb guidebook described in Bookwatch as 'the home astronomer's "bible"', Turn Left at Orion provides all the information beginning amateur astronomers need to observe the Moon, the planets and a whole host of celestial objects. Large format diagrams show these objects exactly as they appear in a small telescope and for each object there is information on the current state of our astronomical knowledge. Revised and updated, this new edition contains a chapter with ten new spreads describing spectacular deep sky objects visible from the southern hemisphere, and tips on observing the upcoming transits of Venus. It also discusses Dobsonian telescopes, with hints on using personal computers and the Internet as aids for planning an observing session. Also new to this edition are redrawn "Guidepost" figures at the beginning of each season chapter that allow readers to visualize a three-dimensional view of the sky's dome; redesigned seasonal object layouts that provide more space for the naked-eye charts; a new spread on double stars near Boötes has been added to Spring, replacing the "Shrinking Double" spread; and a unique "When and Where to Look" table has been added to the last page, among other new features. Unlike many guides to the night sky, this book is specifically written for observers using small telescopes. Clear and easy to use, this fascinating book will appeal to skywatchers of all ages and backgrounds. No previous knowledge of astronomy is needed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...an excellent book for small telescope users...As the resurgence in small telescopes continues, this book will be of use to all users of such instruments. Since many of the objects covered in Turn Left at Orion can be seen from light-polluted skies, this book is a valuable asset even if you live in a large urban area." Deep Sky

"...should be packaged with every first telescope. It's as nearly perfect as such a book can be." Sky & Telescope

"...for those intent on doing some serious observing with a small telescope, Turn Left at Orion has much to recommend it." Stardust

"I think the format is perfect for beginners but even more advanced observers may learn a thing or two. It's like having one of the KAS's many experts right next to you at your 'scope! It is commonly available in bookstores and libraries (including the KAS library). Two thumbs up (both of mine)." - Robert Havira, Cloudy Nights Telescope Reviews

Book Description

Turn Left at Orion is a guidebook for beginning amateur astronomers, containing all the information needed to find over a hundred celestial objects. This revised edition includes tips on observing the upcoming transits of Venus and describes spectacular deep sky objects visible from the southern hemisphere. It also includes hints on using personal computers and the internet as aids for planning an observing session. Unlike many guides to the night sky, this book is specifically written for observers using small telescopes and will appeal to skywatchers of all ages and backgrounds.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 3 edition (October 23, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521781906
• ISBN-13: 978-0521781909
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 0.9 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,421 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Astronomy & Space Science > Star-Gazing

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

96 of 102 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A highly effective work, for beginners and teachers. March 12, 2001

By Bill Wiegert

Format:Hardcover

In the Belmont Society, Turn Left at Orion is one of those enduring staples that eventually becomes an icon of eminent preservation. It's been handed down through the membership as a benchmark of highly valued works, which we've long ago earmarked for its educational value. Back on the lecture circuit some years ago, this was one of those books we always recommended as "required reading" for the beginner, along with (among others) Sagan's Cosmos, and The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Dickinson. Each became tremendously popular for different reasons, and each could hold its own as a reference for different levels of interest. Over the years the "List" has grown to include six books, and although none have been added in recent times, a few have come very close (i.e. - O'Meara's Messier Objects deserves Honorable Mention).

As a result, Turn Left at Orion remains after all these years, one of the six essential works, which we regard as required reading by the beginning amateur astronomer. Though not part of my personal collection until recently, it has been at my disposal for many years. I keep meaning to review it, but something always comes up, not the least of which was the recent printing of a 3rd edition.

The work is co-authored by Guy Consolmagno, a Jesuit Brother at the Vatican Observatory; and Dan M. Davis, professor of geophysics at the State University of New York. Between them they conspired to create a work that reflects a singular passion for viewing celestial objects with small telescopes (emphasis on small). In fact, the combined aperture of both authors' instruments is somewhat less than the singular average among beginning-amateur telescopes. One is a 3.5-inch Cassegrain, and the other is a 2.5-inch refractor. Nevertheless, with these small instruments they were able to create a first-rate work of impressive magnitude. Simplistic means to extraordinary ends.

I was introduced to the order of Jesuits as a youngster growing up in New England. Even at that young age I was profoundly inspired by the notion that science could be passionately embraced (and accurately promoted) in concert with unwavering religious faith. Almost any science buff knows full well that astronomy and religion run like oil and water through the veins of history. And because this work represents such a remarkable beacon of parallel encounter, I am somewhat disappointed in myself for not doing this earlier. But now, so much has been said about this book that there seems a trite redundancy in plugging it. Oh well.

Pioneers and discoverers like Galileo and Messier were themselves saddled with equipment that can easily be considered pathetic by today's standards (both optically and mechanically). However, countless thousands of celestial objects were acquired, catalogued, and studied using archaic equipment of the sort. The point being, that you don't have to bribe the evening sky with money or fat-free technology to see what it's hiding. You merely need to coax it slightly to reveal some of its treasures. The knowledge of what places to do your coaxing is where Turn Left at Orion excels so remarkably.

On page 202, authors Consolmagno and Davis re-endorse one of life's most poorly understood allegations - "There is no such thing as a bad telescope". If you find yourself in conflict with that statement then you're missing out on a golden tenet of amateur astronomy, and most likely some of the fun that goes along with it. Because it really doesn't matter what caliber of instrument you use to enhance your view of the night sky. For even some of the most tenuous tidbits in the Messier catalog are revealed in binoculars of moderate size - still considered far superior to anything Messier could have ever laid his hands on. Get the picture?

Turn Left at Orion begins with a basic introduction of the evening sky, and a brief overview of "how to use this book", which from experience I can honestly testify that few authors can resist. From there, we go through some discussion of the moon, and a few major planets. Then it's on to the main course, which begins with the Winter constellations Taurus and Auriga and some of their celestial wonders - including the Pleiades open cluster and the famous Crab Nebula. A hundred and eighty pages later we're looking at a double cluster in Perseus. In between, we're shown where to look for a globular cluster in Lyra and the famous double star Albireo in Cygnus. A hundred or so interesting objects are presented and illustrated. Very little is missed or left out for the beginner, or for users of small telescopes.

We are first shown where each object is located within a broad view of the sky. Minimal sky-conditions, best times of year to observe, recommended eyepieces and telescope types are graphically illustrated at each heading. We see what the object looks like in a finder-scope, plus what it looks like in the telescope's eyepiece (and at different powers). This book shows you exactly how to get each object in the eyepiece! Really good stuff.

Beyond this, the 3rd edition includes some fare from the Southern Hemisphere (Eta Carinae, 47 Tucanae, and the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds to name a few). A complete index is provided, along with a fairly good glossary for the beginner.

This is a wonderful book; a lot of fun; and extremely useful for nearly all age groups. Great for binocular users too. Recommended not just for the beginning amateur, but also as a teaching tool for some advanced observers who occasionally look for ways to entertain or educate others at the eyepiece. Then too, we've been known to pick it up and browse it just for fun. Secretaries and officers: - put a few copies in your club's library.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Extremely useful book! April 12, 2004

By Rodger Raubach VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Having a lifelong interest in amateur astronomy , this book was a natural for me to seek out. I borrowed a copy from the library before I decided whether or not to make a purchase.

This particular book is one of the very few that I would recommend to a beginning backyard astronomer , the other being Phil Harrington's Star Watch. Both use a technique called "star hopping" to find the celestial objects of interest , and each has a particular "style" of doing so.

"Turn Left at Orion" uses a technique using the viewfinder field of view to move from an easy to find star or some other object to follow a path to the desired object.

What I liked about the book:

(1) A very good representative selection of deep sky objects.
(2) Each object has an eyepiece sketch that accurately depicts how the object looks in a small telescope.
(3) A small scale star chart with the star hops depicted is included along with finding directions.

What I disliked:

(1) The eyepiece sketches were simply listed as "at high power" or "at low power". Some basic information about the eyepiece type , magnification , and focal length should be included to be meaningful.
(2) The scale of the finder charts was too small , and better directions are needed to find some of the smaller and more obscure constellations ; i.e. Triangulum and Aries.
(3) Having to take it back to the library!

Even though I have a few criticisms of the book , it is very ,very good. If I didn't already have Harrington's book I would rush right out and buy a copy.(They tend to overlap too much!) I give this a 4+ star rating , and if a few improvements are made in a later edition it could easily become one of my favorites to recommend and own.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Batteries not included... October 15, 2003

By Tricky Woo

Format:Hardcover

In an astronomical world that's becoming increasingly dominated by computerised 'goto' telescopes, here's a book that shows the budding amateur that the old method of 'star-hopping' is still a valid and satisfying alternative: Turn left at Orion.

Many budding observers are daunted by the prospect of 'learning the sky' well enough to find their way to those elusive deep sky objects. And even when the desired target is perfectly centred in the eyepiece, it's often so difficult to recognise that the search resumes unnecessarily. When a positive identification is finally made, one wonders if the exercise was worth all the effort. Why? Because, visually, they don't look anything like their flattering portrait photographs.

The end result is frustration and disappointment.

Well, here's the book that changed my astronomical life: it taught most of the major constellations, and plenty of minor ones to boot; it showed me how to star-hop to the more interesting deep sky objects within them; and it also changed my expectations of what I would see when I got there.

Literally, this is a 'star-hopping made easy' bible.

The book works on the assumption that the reader is prepared to learn up front just a few of the major constellations. The Big Dipper, (or Plough to the Brits, or 'Pluff' to them southerners), is one that most people can recognise straight off. But it helps to be able to spot the big square of autumn's Pegasus, winter's unmistakable Orion the hunter, spring's sickle-necked Leo the Lion, and the big cross of summer's Cygnus the swan. These are all good starting points, and won't cost much effort to learn beyond a cricked neck.

The book feels like it's been written from copious notes acquired during many years of practical observing. There's a section per seasonal, with two pages devoted to each particular object. And the objects really are a good primer for the northern deep sky: nebulas, globular clusters, open clusters aplenty of course, some galaxies, and a good sprinkling of those oft neglected double stars. On the left page you'll find a typical upside-down finder-scope view of the target area, plus a description of which stars to use to guide you there. On the right page is a typical left-to-right telescopic view of the object itself, plus good textual descriptions.

And here's the clever bit: all of the illustrations are beautifully hand-drawn to show truthfully how they appear at the eyepiece; none of those misleading full colour observatory-type photographs here: what you see is what you, er, see. Fear not if an illustration fails to take your fancy; keep turning the page until one catches your eye.

So how does it work under the night sky?

Well, it works beautifully. Turn to the correct page, and locate the general target area using your (ahem) marginal knowledge of the constellations, then visually hop from star to star as advised. Aim your telescope, then switch to the finder-scope to identify the exact location. Slip in an eyepiece of about the recommended magnification, and the object's usually 'just there', or at the very least within easy reach. For those objects requiring high powers, the book recommends using a less powerful eyepiece first to properly centre the target. Really, I and countless others have followed this advice to good effect.

Okay, it'll take you a year of observing to learn your way around. It takes that long for each season's constellations, and their hidden treasures, to come around. Time enough to learn the stars a little better, and time enough to gain confidence. In a way, one will learn the more obscure constellations for free; "What's that? Oh yes, it must be Delphinus, so that funny arrow below is, er, Sagitta...right?" (flick, flick of the page) "I was right!" And anyway, it'll take you at least a year to get bored with the selection that this book offers.

What do I have against this book? Not much... well, it's a shame there isn't a sequel for next year.

Oh, and batteries are not included.