The Next Step: Finding and Viewing Messier's Objects (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In 1752, Charles Messier left the small French town of Badonviller for employment in Paris as an astronomer's assistant. In the following years, he discovered 20 comets and compiled the first catalogue of over 100 objects listing star clusters, nebulae and galaxies collectively called Deep Sky Objects.

Today, Messier's catalogue is often the first set of Deep Sky Objects observed by budding amateurs wanting to go beyond viewing the Moon, Planets and Sun. His list of objects represents the biggest, brightest and most beautiful objects in the heavens, the cream of the crop. They include the Pleiades, the Orion Nebula, the Ring Nebula, the Omega or Swan Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy and 100 more. And, what is even better, all of these objects can be seen using a telescope as small as 3 inches in diameter.

The Next Step is a complete field guide to discovering Messier's objects, a celestial road map for the successful navigation and exploration of these beautiful heavenly bodies.

Highlights of The Next Step are as follows:

- Easy to understand and easy to use, written especially for the novice amateur astronomer.
- Many sidebars and boxes to highlight important information.
- Type size is larger to make reading at night easier.
- Details the full history of Charles Messier, his colleagues and Paris during the 1700s. Includes new historical information about Charles Messier's childhood and journey to Paris.
- Complete set of 22 colored star charts for locating every Messier object including enlargements of ''cluttered'' areas. Charts can be used in conjunction with any telescope.
- Catalogue pages offer up-to-date information and a standardized format for easy use and comparison. Every object has a photograph that is at the same size, scale and exposure for easy comparison.
- Discussion and check-off list for the Messier Marathon.
- Expanded catalogue now includes 112 objects.
- Expanded Glossary

Further Discussion:

There are 36 pages devoted to Messier's history and times. This part of the book has many ''sidebars'' to highlight interesting points. It is printed in full color with many historical pictures of Charles Messier and the places he worked and lived including information about his boss and colleagues.

A section of the book has a detailed discussion and examples of ''tricks'' to find objects in the sky.

There are 22 pages of full-color star charts to help you locate all of the Messier objects. This includes two summary charts, 16 charts showing the sky facing north and south and four close-up charts.

The individual catalogue pages comprise the largest section of the book. This part of the book is printed in black and white. Each object has its own two-page spread, a left and right hand page. The placement of the information on the pages is consistent from object to object. Each left-hand page has the original Messier description (in English), the NGC description, coordinates, observing periods, names, magnitude, distance and comments. Each right-hand page provides a brief description using a 4-inch diameter telescope, indexes for locating and identifying the object and a photo of the object taken with a small telescope to approximate what you will see in the telescope.

About the Author

Ken Graun is author of six star charts and the popular astronomy books, What's Out Tonight?, Touring the Universe and The Next Step: Finding and Viewing Messier's Objects. His children's books include Our Earth and the Solar System, Our Constellations and their Stars and Our Galaxy and the Universe.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Ken Press (March 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1928771122
• ISBN-13: 978-1928771128
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 7.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #630,624 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect intro to the Messier list, March 31, 2005

By	Michael L. Ricklin - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As telescope owner for two years now, I was ready to take the next step and start viewing DSOs, in particular the Messier list. This book provides everything you need to get started hunting these celestial wonders. The photos and charts are first rate. In fact the chart layout is so helpful that I am using these instead of my sky atlas. The scope section offers useful suggestions on eyepiece choices. The Messier Marathon section is most helpful for sequencing your marathon viewing session. The book also provides a fascinating history of Messier and the other astronomers of his times, which added to my appreciation of amatuer and professional astronomy and the enjoyment of this passion.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely indispensable for backyard telescope astronomers, November 22, 2006

By	M. J. Staley (Tombstone, Arizona) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

(Those of you new to astronomy and unfamiliar with "messy objects", please see the last paragraph of this review.)

I needed a book on Messier objects, and I picked this one nearly at random. This was my luckiest find in a long time. I have recently started using a GoTo telescope, and these things are great - but - when it came to Messier objects, I just wasn't sure of what it was I was looking for. Humongous Hubble-like photos were of no use at all.

Not only does this book have a photo for each of the 112 objects - two added by the book's author to correct an oversight - but the photos show each object as it appears at 48X, which is just the power I use (and recommend) for searching and centering. I've found this book totally indispensable for Messier objects.

And there's more. There are star charts with the M-objects mapped. There's tons of advice on finding and observing these things. It covers the life and work of Charles Messier and his colleagues in detail. It even contains, for each object, the cataloger's (usually Messier) own comments as they appear in the original catalog.

Since this is the only Messier book I own, I can't compare it to others, and I probably never will. For my use as a backyard telescope astronomer, I can't conceive of what more information I'd need on the Messier objects, or on the man who thankfully took all that time to compile them.
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For new astronomers: Once you can identify the major constellations and stars, and have worked your way through the moon and planets - probably with your first telescope - you're ready for the "deep sky" objects, which are star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies. The first category of deep-sky objects is called the "Messier objects", named after the man who, with help, cataloged 110 of these visible in the northern hemisphere with a moderate 40X-100X telescope. Some, but not very many, are visible to the naked eye. Being able to find, view, and - important - talk intelligently about these objects is a big step to being a "serious amateur astronomer". If this is what you want to do, you've found the right book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern, and first class, October 16, 2006

By	Dave Holland (Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read O'Meara's book on the Messier objects, and eventually bought this one after reading the reviews on Amazon. I sometimes don't trust Amazon reviews because they are often too glowing. In this case, the reviews are accurate. This book delivers what it advertises, in simple, concise, and organized fashion. I like the way the photographic view is from a small telescope, which allows you to easily compare what you are looking at with what you see. This book comes with me when I search the night sky, together with "turn left at Orion", and my "Collins star atlas". I especially like the modern, color typeset and also the interesting historical introduction to one of the most famous Nerds in history. Messier would be so proud, and of course so surprised at how his little atlas of things to avoid became a timeless reference.

If you want one text on the Messier objects, then this would be the one.