#76 Astronomy Reference Books and Maps: Some Brief Reviews, Part 3

The greatest series of observation reference books for amateur astronomers ever created was "Burnham's Celestial Handbook," published in 3 volumes back in the mid 1960s.  In the late 1970s Dover published an expanded and updated edition, in hardcover, and it is these volumes that I still use and treasure to this day.  The amount of work that Robert Burnham, Jr., did to create this reference masterpiece cannot even be imagined.  The sad and unusual circumstances of his latter years and virtually unmarked death can be found elsewhere, but Burnham was a shy recluse who undoubtedly had some psychological issues.  Nevertheless he wrote the most wonderful description of the constellations (all of them) ever penned.  If you are a serious observer and have not used or encountered these books, then I doubt that you are a serious observer.  To the astonishment of many, including this blogger, no one has ever undertaken a much needed update of these irreplaceable volumes.  Until now.  Sort of.

Just newly published (March 2015), along comes "Annals of the Deep Sky," by Jeff Kanipe and Dennis Webb.  The first two volumes of what will be a multi-volume set are just out, and are available from Willmann Bell, Inc., for $25 each.

Whereas Burnham's Volume 1 takes the reader all the way through Cetus, the two new volumes only go up to Caelum.  In order to get as far as Burham's Volume 1 we must still await the publication of Annals that will include Camelopardalis, Cancer, Canes Venatici, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Capricornus, Carina, Cassiopeia, Centaurus, Cepheus, and Cetus.  That will take at least two more volumes at the current rate, making a five to one ratio between Annals and Burnham's.  We are likely looking at a 15 volume set of books!!

That is the first sign of a big problem with the new series.  It will cost us all a small fortune, and take up far more bookshelf space than Burnham's requires.  Page numbers are roughly equivalent between the first 2 volumes of Annals and the first volume of Burnham's (about 650).  And though Burnham's 3 volumes look as if it will be much less than half the pages of Annals 15 volumes, it is still Burnham's that contains far more information for amateurs.  We now come to the second big problem with Annals.

Using the first constellation listed, Andromeda, let us compare how the two approaches are similar, and how they are different.  Let's begin with the biggest difference, the listing of double and variable stars.  Burnham's lists detailed information (epoch 1950) on over 150 double stars, along with about 50 variables.  There are detailed descriptions and explanations of 15 stars within the constellation.  12 NGC objects are listed, with detailed discussions, charts and photos of 4 of these (not including the satellite galaxies of M31).  57 pages are devoted to Andromeda, including a detailed examination of M31 and its family of galaxies.

Over now to Annals.  All objects listed are described in detail.  However, only 8 stars are listed for Andromeda, along with 5 NGC objects (plus all of the known M31 family), and one Abell grouping of galaxies.  For observers of the night sky, this is a pretty low number of objects.  Whereas Burnham's Handbook lists enough objects to observe for a month or more of clear nights within Andromeda, much of what is listed in Annals can be decently observed over one or two nights.  Considering how much money is being spent, and how much shelf space will eventually be taken up, this is rather shameful.  I admit to being extremely disappointed when I first flipped through the books.  Lovers of double stars and thorough NGC observers will have little use for these books once they are read.  Not to mention that articles and information go out of date so quickly today.

Having only read Volume One, and having glimpsed Volume 2, I really do not know or understand the full purpose of these books, nor to whom they are aimed.  Certainly they are not aimed at avid amateur observers.  Perhaps they are aimed at astro-photographers, as each little object essay seems to include some hints and suggestions for capturing images.  If this is the case, then why not double up and include more object lists for ambitious observers?  While information and maps on the NGC and objects from other catalogues can be found in the guide to Uranometria, double stars are ignored there.  In fact, if it wasn't for Burnham's, my love for double stars would never have been nourished.  If the authors of Annals were attempting an updated version of Burnham's (and to some extent, Olcott), why wasn't his generous double  and variable star catalogue updated and refreshed?  Perhaps more objects will be included in some future appendix volume of Annals, but I am not willing to wait and see. 

Here are the serious problems I see with Annals, in a nutshell.  Too many volumes.  Constellations are not thoroughly examined in the least.  Target readers are not defined.  I am very uncertain whether I will purchase further volumes.  Oddly enough, I foresee these books getting rave reviews in astronomy magazines, and people flocking to buy them.  I hope they are happier with them than I am.  Perhaps most have more money than me, more shelf space, and don't like looking at a whole bunch of deep sky objects over a lifetime anyway.  Or perhaps they are armchair astronomers, and will enjoy the volumes for their wonderful descriptive essays.  To nitpick for a moment, there seem to be a good number of typos, and even some missing words.

So as not to give a completely one-sided version, I admit there is much to like about these books.  Almost all of the objects Burnham's discusses in detail are followed up here, and we get updates on many deep sky mysteries thirty to forty years later.  Since Burnham first wrote his set of books we now know about black holes, among other wonders, and we have reaped the benefits of the Hubble Space Telescope, and other amazing off-world views from many other orbiting instruments.  And earth-based telescopes so far overshadow their previous cousins from the 60s and 70s that it isn't even funny.  Some "amateurs" now take photos that are better than the professional ones from Burnham's day.

And Annals makes full use of all the discoveries and research that has occurred and is still occurring with deep space objects.  Photos, charts, diagrams and information are state of the art.  Here is what I did with Andromeda.  I would read what Burnham had to say about a star or object, then switch to Annals and read the modern updated version.  Fun stuff!!  Whereas Burnham discussed M31 in 57 pages, 40 pages are used in Annals.  Both sets of books could be required reading, preferably Annals after Burnham, in tandem.  I also like all of the historical asides, which include "Newcomb's Musing on the Andromeda Nebula," "Williamina Fleming," "John Luis Emil Dreyer," "James Dunlop: Forgotten Pioneer of the Southern Astronomy," as well as many historical photos of some great old refractors.  There is a concluding essay on Planetary Nebula, and of course the obligatory initial chapters, essentially an Astronomy 101 lesson.

A big difference between the two undertakings is how objects are grouped for discussion.  Burnham's listed main stars first, then double stars, variables, then deep sky objects in NGC order.  Following came discussions of selected objects (indicated with * in the lists).  Stars were grouped Alpha, Beta, etc., then by number for doubles and letter/number for variables.  Objects themselves were discussed in NGC order.  The system is simple and elegant, and it is relatively easy to find the detailed discussion of an object.  Annals uses a different approach, and deals with stars and objects by distance.  While I see the reasoning behind this, I would much rather see Burnham's method used, which makes finding the discussion of a sought object easy and logical to find.  Much better would have been the Annals' objects listed by distance in a chart, for those curious.  I always appreciate different ways of looking at things, but basing the entire volume on such a system seems a bit daft.

In conclusion, we do not yet have a fully suitable modernization of Burnham's Celestial Handbook.  Annals makes a very good start at it, but someone still has to come up with a thorough double star and variable star updated list, epoch 2000.  The WDS is useful, but very unwieldy and time consuming.  The NGC and other objects have already been beautifully handled by Uranometria (see separate blog on this, below).  But double star observers are still left waiting and wanting.

P.S.  Thursday, Sept. 24th/15
I am writing this after reading volume 2 cover to cover.  The 2nd volume seems much better than the first one, going into fine detail in Aquila, Auriga and Bootes, among others.  Even Burnham hadn't really hit his stride in his Volume 1.  There is some wonderful follow-up to Burham's examination of certain stars and objects, and in depth looks at objects Burnham didn't touch or have much info on.  And whereas Burnham barely deals with Caelum, these folks spend a long and interesting chapter on this almost unknown constellation.  Well done, Vol 2! 

So I am awaiting Vol. 3, and will likely buy into the series.  

Mapman Mike

#75 Astronomy Reference Books and Maps: Some Brief Reviews, Part 2

The Night Sky Observer's Guide:

Volume 1: Autumn and Winter

Volume 2: Spring and Summer

George Robert Kepple, Glen W. Sanner

    

     Ever since the publication of Burham's indispensable 3-volume Celestial Handbook (reviewed later in this series of reviews), I have been in search of an up-to-date replacement.  This is not it.  However, this is a pretty darn good observing guide to the night sky.  There is a third volume in this set for you lucky southern sky observers, but I do not own it.  Though these books have a token brief essay at the beginning of each constellation about the mythology, it in no way comes near the depth Burnham usually gives the topic.  

     Both the forward and the first chapter will reward readers who are relatively new to observing and astronomy, and those (like me) that need a constant brushing up on the usual subjects, such as stars, variables, galaxy classification, etc.  The problem is that it is difficult to read so much text, in four very word-filled columns, in such a large book.  I generally fall asleep, as it reads like a university text book.  Still, there is valuable information, but a few more illustrations in these sections would have been a bonus.  

     There follows a chapter on each of the constellations.  I will choose Hercules to give examples of how the books work, and how effective they are for observers.  Chapter 46 (vol. 2) is entitled "Hercules the Strongman."  46.1 (Overview) discusses the mythology, as well as some quick facts about the constellation, such as it being the fifth largest.  A small box gives proper pronunciation, its culmination dates, major showpieces, and some binocular objects.

     46.2 is entitled "Interesting Stars."  8 stars are presented, and discussed with brief facts and very short paragraphs.  They include single, variable and double stars.  The section also includes a full-page chart of Hercules with stars to 6.5 mag.  There are also two tables.  The first lists 8 selected variable stars, given info across a single line for each star.  The second table lists 44 doubles, again giving the facts across single lines (it might be of interest to note here that Burnham's lists five pages of doubles, about 150 stars).  I really like the paring down of selected variables and doubles--this provides a nice introduction to these fascinating areas of observing.

     46.3 is the largest section, entitled "Deep-Sky Objects."  As in the brief discussion of the eight selected stars (46.1), each NGC object discussed, along with many objects from other catalogues, is handled with a few lines of the facts, followed by brief descriptions.  For some objects there are close-up finder charts (more about these presently), and for many there are either photos or drawings from the eyepiece.  Section 46.3 is 8 1/2 pages long, and makes for wonderful armchair reading.  Due to our severe winters, this is likely the closest I will ever get to some of these objects. 

     Extras at the back of the books include a short bibliography, a thorough index, and two finder charts at the very end, and two at the very beginning, appropriate to each volume, though these charts are only in Vol 2.  Now a word about those tiny finder charts.  They are really, really small, making them almost useless in the field.  We've even tried blowing them up a lot on our copier, but they are still much too ineffective.  Instead of several of these tiny finder charts (11 of them for Hercules), perhaps blowing up the 4 quadrants of the main map and including more detail would have been more effective.

     Each time a star or deep sky object is featured and detailed, the authors give ratings to each object, from one star to five stars.  I'm not certain I like this, since ratings are subjective and depend on sky conditions, aperture, eyepieces, experience and many other factors.  However, they are useful.  If someone with a 6" scope wishes to track down a one-star Berkeley cluster, for instance, then at least they know what they are getting themselves into.  The wealth of photos and sketches are likewise useful, though I will only look at them AFTER I have observed them myself, and possibly sketched them.  Looking at photos of objects before viewing them more or less defeats the purpose of seeking these things out in the first place.  Astronomy should be all about discovery, so by all means look at these photos and drawings, but only AFTER you have done the actual observing yourself.  Each observation discussion also includes notes from using several apertures, something that is helpful.  However, I find that many of the things I have seen in the 12" are only discussed in the 16"-18" category, so don't take it to mean that a larger scope is needed to see certain objects.  Go ahead and try with your 6" or 8" and see where it takes you.

     In conclusion, these books do not entirely replace my love affair with Burham's Celestial Handbook.  However, they take some of the best things from it and improve upon them.  I like the variable and double star lists, and the many deep sky objects that are included.  The list of deep sky objects is not complete, however.  For my purposes, this book would not allow me to observe all of the NGC.  But mostly what it leaves out is of little interest to observers except the true fanatics like myself.  I like the books and recommend them, and they belong on any serious observer's, armchair or otherwise, bookshelf.

Mapman Mike

#74 Astronomy Reference Books and Maps: Some Brief Reviews, Part 1

Most of us have any number of astronomy reference books and maps in our personal library.  Some people mostly use the internet, while still others rely only on their "Go To" devices.  Any amateur astronomer worth his salt, however, can hop around the heavens with nothing but his main scope and trusty finder scope.  Until I purchased my Orion 12" in the autumn of 2012, I had only used maps to find my way around, not computers.  Now that I own a scope with a "Push To" computer, has it fundamentally changed my way of observing?

Thankfully, no.  I love maps, and following my way around the sky using them is one of the greatest pleasures of astronomy for me.  I will often get to my first object using the computer guidance system (I have to manually move the scope, lining up the arrows on the computer until both sets of numbers return to zero), then star hop for the rest of the time I am in that constellation.  If I don't use the computer for 30 minutes, it switches itself off.  And it has done so, many times.  So this page of short reviews will begin with the best map available to amateurs, namely...

Uranometria 2000 Deep Sky Atlas:  All Sky Edition, with Stars to Visual 9.75 Magnitude and 30,000+ Non-Stellar Objects.  Wil Tirion, Barry Rappaport, Will Remarklus 

Let me begin by saying how unwieldy the earlier versions of this atlas were to use in the field.  Thankfully, those days are long gone.  The newer all-in-one volume contains not only the entire sky in exquisite detail, but includes a series of close-up charts at the back that dive even deeper into especially hectic areas of several constellations.  The current edition I use came out in October 2012, exactly when I upgraded to a 12" scope.  The timing for me could not have been better.  Looking through this atlas is nearly as much fun as looking through a telescope.  Many of the 30,000 deep sky objects plotted will only be of interest to owners of much larger scopes than mine, and to photographers.  The number of galaxies is nearly 26,000, so good luck with that observing project.

The thing that truly amazes me about this incredible resource is its accuracy.  When you see an object plotted on the chart, there will be something there to see.  It omits NGC errors, and even corrects and includes some that are called non-existent.  Be certain that something does exist if it is plotted on the atlas.  I have only found one serious error in almost three years of using the atlas.  On Chart 145 (and close-up chart A17), NGC gn 6526 is placed a degree north of M8, the Lagoon Nebula.  A large border is drawn for this object, but nothing exists there.  6526 is actually a small part of M8 (NGC 6523).  I'm certain that other errors exist; there is so much information in these pages it would be a miracle if there weren't.  But the overall accuracy of this thing is scary!

There are several useful appendices in the back, including lists of the main Bayer stars in each constellation and on which page they may be found.  If I am quickly trying to locate Delta Auriga, I am led to Chart 27.  Nice touch.  Next comes a list of stars by their names, and the chart they are on.  Megrez is on Chart 24, I am told.  A Messier Objects list and where they are located is always useful, and is included along with the proper chart number.  Fourth is a list of objects by their common names, and where they can be found in the atlas.  The Gum Nebula, for instance, is on Chart 187.  Lastly comes an exhaustive list of IC and NGC objects plotted, and where to find them.  They are charted down to Mag. 15, so not every single NGC object is listed, but the list is virtually complete for deep sky observers.

Inside the front cover are a series of six index charts.  An earlier version of mine had a second, larger and more detailed set of index charts.  This volume does not include that intermediate set of charts, and I really miss those.  I hope they are re-instated for subsequent reprints.  They are useful, much more so than the less detailed set.  Following the index charts is a list of all the constellations, and which chart is nearest the center of the constellation.  This is quite handy in the field.

Three plastic sheet layovers are also included, so one can locate and/or plot stars on the charts down to one minute intervals of right ascension and ten minutes of declination.  These take up two of the overlays.  A third sheet gives measured circles of a viewing field, including ones of 3 degrees, 2, 1 3/4, 1 1/2, 1, 45', 30' (about the size of a full moon) and 15'. This is a brilliant touch, helping the observer see ahead of time which portion of a chart will be viewable in certain eyepiece fields.  For example, if I am using my 25 mm eyepiece (60x), I can use the overlay and see the star field (or galaxy field) exactly as it is appearing in my field of view.  If I move the field over one eyepiece field (30'), then I can see on the charts what lies next door, or north or south.

Although not even three years old, my atlas has received such heavy use that it is nearly time to order another one.  The price is certainly right, and within the United States the shipping is free.  Go to William Bell and order yours if you haven't already.  You will thank me. 
Favourite Chart:  91--all those galaxies!
Favourite Close-up Chart:  A17.

URANOMETRIA 2000  Deep Sky Field Guide 

From the introduction:  "The purpose of the DSFG is to provide basic catalog data for each of the more than 30,000 nonstellar objects plotted on the 220 Uranometria 2000.0 Deep Sky Atlas Charts."

That, my friends, is saying a mouthful!  I can remember many years ago when I first learned of the NGC catalogue, and searched frantically for a copy in my city library, to no avail.  Information like that was simply not available to the average amateur astronomer.  With our 4" and 6" telescopes in those days, it was no wonder.  Today, not only do I finally have in my own personal library an atlas showing 99 % of the NGC and IC objects, but I have a reference book that gives me brief information on each and every one of them.  And much, much more.  If I was forced to whittle my astronomy library down to only two books, this would be one of them (the atlas would be the other).

With 30,000 objects to describe, this volume does not waste words.  There are no poetic descriptions here, just the facts.  If, for instance, I am observing in Hercules, and I am on Chart 67 of the Uranomteria atlas and I wish to observe eg 6628 on an upcoming night, I open the volume, ordered by Chart number like the star atlas, to the information for Chart 67.  This particular page has headings for Galaxies, Open Clusters, Globular Clusters, and Planetary Nebula.  Under galaxies I find the NGC grouping (there are four galaxy catalogues represented on this chart) and locate 6628.  I am given (in the following order) the RA, Dec., Name, Mag (V), Dimensions, Mag (SB), Type Class, Position Angle, and Notes.  All of this information fits on one compact line.

There are no photos or sketches of objects, and no flowery descriptions.  Just the facts.  This book is not as much fun to peruse as the atlas, but it sure contains a wealth of information.  The appendices are the same as at the back of the atlas, with one notable improvement:  whereas the atlas I have listed only the IC and NGC members included in the undertaking, this volume also includes all of the members from all of those other catalogues, such as King, Berkeley, etc. etc.  This is very very handy, and I can quickly ascertain on which chart to find a very obscure cluster or galaxy or planetary nebulae.  With the RA and Dec. listed, I can find it on the atlas in no time at all.

These two books are the only ones amateur astronomers of deep sky objects really need.  However, if I could add a third volume that included information on the double and multiple stars, along with the variable stars plotted on the atlas, then all would be well.  Perhaps William Bell publishing will undertake such a project someday.  In the meantime, these volumes are indispensible to my observing program.
Mapman Mike