Observing Handbook and Catalogue of Deep-Sky Objects (Paperback)

~ Christian B. Luginbuhl (Author), Brian A. Skiff (Author) "There is no ideal telescope for the amateur observer, no telescope that will provide the best views of all the myriad objects in the night..." (more)
Key Phrases: faint stellar nucleus, faint stellarings, conspicuous stellar nucleus, Milky Way, Naval Observatory, Coma Berenices (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a beautifully organized reference tool for the amateur astronomer. The authors have filled a long-standing need for a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to aid in observing deep-sky objects...clearly a labor of love, and the wealth of data provided here make this a must-have volume for the amateur astronomer and the academic astronomy library." E-Streams

Review

"This is a beautifully organized reference tool for the amateur astronomer. The authors have filled a long-standing need for a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to aid in observing deep-sky objects...clearly a labor of love, and the wealth of data provided here make this a must-have volume for the amateur astronomer and the academic astronomy library." E-Streams --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 2 edition (February 22, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521625564
• ISBN-13: 978-0521625562
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #523,273 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Serious Amateur Astronomers, December 5, 2000

By	Gregory P. Nowell "gnowell" (Niskayuna, NY United States) - See all my reviews

If you're an amateur astronomer in a rut of a few dozen Messiers and want someting else, here's the place. Some 3,500 deep sky objects with paragraph descriptions. Helps you get a lot more enjoyment out of a scope. Describes objects through various apertures from 60mm through 30cm (=12"), consistently describing at 6" 10" and 12" apertures. Mostly text, some drawings, some pix. Organized by constellation: you can pick a constellation near zenith for the night, and then do "saturation viewing" of dozens of objects in that one area. The descriptions really help you learn to notice detail: you'll be directed to a red star at the s end of one cluster, or advised to notice a double or triple star in another cluster. Much attention paid to appearance of galaxies. Includes items by NGC, M, and IC numbers. Follows ascending RA in each chapter like the NGC catalog. Provides info on magnitude: surface brightness, visual magnitude, etc. Keyed to be used with a good skymap like Tirion. Extremely powerful tool in conjunction with digital computer. Main defect is that RA and Dec coordinates are in separate listings in back which is clumsy in field use; RA and Dec are also provided for 1950 and 2000 coordinates in a way that is difficult in field. If you're star hopping with a good map or have an e-brain for a digital setting circle system this isn't much of an obstacle, however. This book is one of the most underused resources in amateur astronomy. I am mystified as to why. If you have a scope 4" or bigger and want some universe to explore, this is the book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars MUST for serious deep sky observer, June 14, 2000

By	Erhan A. Ozturk (Ankara, Turkey) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book explains the view of numerious deep sky objects through 60mm, 150mm and 200-250mm scopes. The explanations are helpful in finding the objects in the field. However; although introductory chapters may be helpful for beginners, this book is for intermediate or advanced telescope users.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reference For Hard-Core Observers, January 25, 2010

By	Fred Rayworth (Las Vegas, NV United States) - See all my reviews

I'm a hard-core observer and love nothing better than a good reference book with information that is relevant to my goals. Since my friend Roger and I started an Observer's Challenge with the Las Vegas Astronomical Society, he has been telling me to get that book. After almost a year, I finally got it as a Christmas present.

The book is not cheap, but it is well worth it. If you are a hard-core observer, or just a casual observer, this is a great reference source. For years, all I had were Burhams books, and there is a lot missing from them, despite being three volumes. Skiff & Luginbuhl list over 2,000 deep sky objects, most of them visible in small to moderate back yard telescopes.

The book is organized by constellation, and the key objects are listed with concise descriptions. These descriptions (along with a few other references) are usually the basis for our Observer's Challenge each month.

Included are a few photos here and there to help you spot the objects, especially in the crowded galaxy fields. At the end is a listing of all the objects plus an additional list of double stars.

My only beef with the book is that the listing at the end includes some objects that are not obtainable, including some anonymous galaxies, and some with magnitudes in the 16-17 range. I created an observing list in Megastar using their list and found some of the objects not listed, or having a different designation. I also had to filter out anything of magnitude 15.7 or fainter as my 16" scope will never see a galaxy that faint unless power goes out to the entire west coast on a super clear and stable night. Not likely.

If you are a dedicated observer, this book should be a mandatory addition to your library. You will not be disappointed. Highly recommended.