This updated second edition has all of the information needed for your successful forays into deep sky observing. Coe uses his years of experience to give detailed practical advice about how to find the best observing site, how to make the most of the time spent there, and what equipment and instruments to take along. There are comprehensive lists of deep sky objects of all kinds, along with Steve's own observations describing how they look through telescopes with apertures ranging from 4 inches to 36 inches (0.1 - 0.9 meters).
Binocular observing also gets its due, while the lists of objects have been amended to highlight only the best targets. A new index makes finding targets easier than ever before, while the selection of viewing targets has been revised from the first edition. Most of all, this book is all about how to enjoy astronomy. The author's enthusiasm and sense of wonder shine through every page as he invites you along on a tour of some of the most beautiful and fascinating sites in the deep sky, with the improved object list making sure your choice of a faint cluster, hazy nebula or distant galaxy will all be equally rewarding.
β¦ Table of Contents
Front Matter....Pages i-xi
Who Can Benefit from This Book?....Pages 1-7
Why Should You Listen to Me?....Pages 9-13
How Do I Find the Best Observing Site?....Pages 15-19
How Do I Maximize My Time While Observing?....Pages 21-30
What Other Accessories Are Useful?....Pages 31-45
Why Should I Take Notes While Observing?....Pages 47-54
How Can I Find All These Deep-Sky Goodies When the Sky Is So Huge?....Pages 55-69
Any Other Tips?....Pages 71-77
What Can I Observe in Galaxies Beyond the Milky Way?....Pages 79-113
What Can I Observe in a Cluster of Galaxies?....Pages 115-132
What Are All These Different Types of Nebulae, and What Details Can I See in Them with My Telescope?....Pages 133-177
What Can Be Seen Within Planetary Nebulae?....Pages 179-211
What Can Be Seen in an Open Star Cluster?....Pages 213-243
What Can Be Observed in Globular Clusters?....Pages 245-269
Why Would I Want to Use Binoculars to View the Sky?....Pages 271-285
How Can I Use a Computer to Help Me Enjoy Deep-Sky Observing?....Pages 287-292
Why Should I Set Up the Scope for a Public Viewing Session?....Pages 293-317
Which Books on Astronomy Should I Get?....Pages 319-325
A Magical Evening....Pages 327-329
Back Matter....Pages 331-339
β¦ Subjects
Popular Science in Astronomy; Astronomy, Observations and Techniques