Deep-Sky Companions: Hidden Treasures (Hardcover)

~ Stephen James O'Meara (Author)
Key Phrases: true physical extent, stinger stars, brightness from magnitude, Milky Way, Stephen James O'Meara, William Herschel (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...many people know of author O'Meara as an eagle-eyed observer and wonderful writer. This book confirms his award-winning reputation. ...With is penchant to observe each object to the fullest, and a flair for creative description, O'Meara provides a great guidebook to these 109 beautiful objects. ...Highly recommended." - J.R. Kraus, CHOICE

"...packed with detailed information and written in a most approachable style by a highly experienced and skilled visual observer...valuable and enthusiastically told entries for these deep sky marvels will enhance my observing." --Journal of the British Astronomical Association

"Deep-Sky Companions: Hidden Treasures succeeds on several levels. It provides a well-written and well-researched guide to objects often overlooked by observers. The emphasis on objects accessible to those with modest instruments means it will appeal to most telescope owners and binocular observers. In describing his experiences observing these objectsm Mr O'Meara includes advice on observing techniques that will surely appeal to beginners ... But perhaps of greatest importance is the sense you get, while reading the book, that this is a joyful pursuit." - Thomas Watson, Cloudy Nights Telescope Reviews

Review

Praise for Deep-Sky Companions: ‘Steve O’Meara has done it again. [This book] is a beautifully written, personal guide for observing 109 of the most beautiful objects in the night sky, plus 20 more personally chosen deep-sky treasures. Coupled with O’Meara’s own meticulous observations, the rich observational history and current scientific knowledge of each object bring this book to life, and the depth of O’Meara’s writing makes it a real gem.’ David H. Levy

‘An indispensable guide for anyone who observes the night sky with a quality amateur telescope from a reasonably dark place. Here are tips for viewing - and understanding! - more than one hundred entrancing galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae available to the backyard enthusiast. With its wealth of scientific and historical information, and its poetic sensibility, the book gave me immense pleasure even before I left my easy chair.’ Chet Raymo

‘ … there is no better guide than Stephen O’Meara’s book. For each object there is a photograph, a finder chart, basic data, a discussion of what is seen through small telescopes, and some history of telescopic ideas. This is not a treatise on astrophysics, but an observer’s guide, a worthy and superior successor to previous attempts.’ Stephen P. Maran, Nature

‘Steve O’Meara says the purpose of the book is to provide new and experienced observers with a fresh perspective on these objects. He has succeeded brilliantly.’ Astronomy & Space

‘... impressive ... contains careful descriptions of each object, finder maps, telescopic drawings, and photographs. The text is spirited and informed, and the result is a must-have on the bookshelf of deep-sky enthusiasts.’ Astronomy Magazine

‘... packed with useful advice, historical facts, and interesting anecdotes.’ Robert Argyle, The Observatory

‘… this is an excellent book and it deserves a place on the bookshelf of both the novice and experienced amateur astronomer.’ The Journal of the British Astronomical Association

‘All in all, the book lives up to the author’s claim about offering a new perspective and is thoroughly up to date and very readable book on the subject. I feel that it offers all deep sky observers something. Highly recommended.’ Faith Jordan, Webb Society Quarterly Journal --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 602 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; illustrated edition edition (May 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521837049
• ISBN-13: 978-0521837040
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #605,885 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, September 3, 2007

By	Eric M. Strang (Cheney, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

O'Meara has put together another great book. Here he takes us off the beaten path somewhat in search of deep sky treasure that many observers may neglect. In addition to the NGC and IC catalogues, he also ventures into lesser known catalogues such as Melotte, Trumpler, and Collinder as well as one of his own objects. As with previous volumes in the Deep Sky Companions series, each object is given a photo, drawing, and a finder chart as well as complete historical information. In addition to observations made with his trusty Tele Vue Genesis 4" refractor, observations from other observers using larger scopes are also included. All done in a writing style that is one of the most enjoyable today. Highly recommended for the deep sky observer!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After Messier, this is the one catalog you need!, August 7, 2007

By	G. Yanez (Montréal, Quebec Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amateur astronomers surely agree that Messier and Caldwell catalogs missed many wonderful objects in the sky (north and south). Why not just ask a REAL deepsky observer to build a list of the missing gems? Well, that is exactly what this book offers. The 109 objects listed were observed by the author in a moderately small refractor telescope under dark skies. I have only observed a sample of objects in the entire list but do believe that the remainder are worth a try. Every object is introduced with such passion and in such an enthusiastic way that you really feel like going outside and give it a try.
5 stars!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another O'Meara Great, December 12, 2007

By	Kinchen J. Searcy (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This is a large book (586 pages with appendices) that is a nice follow-on to his other books on the Messier and Caldwell objects. It is a nice blend of modern observing notes and rich history. It is very well written. I haven't worked through the book yet, but by inspection some objests are known and most are hidden. As in the other books, he describes the view from a 4-inch refractor. He quotes from Star Clusters by Archinal and Hayes, which is a plus.

Get the his Messier book first, and then work through this one.