Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects (Deep...
I own Hidden Treasures. One problem I have with it is Stephen O'Meara's choice to bestow nautical nicknames on a number of deep-sky objects merely to fit the theme of the book. I'm fine with DSO common names that are descriptive in some form but that isn't the case here.
Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects (Deep...
For more than two centuries, amateur astronomers have earned their stripes by observing the 109 star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies cataloged by French comet hunter Charles Messier. Now a new list of 109 equally appealing deep-sky delights is bringing a new generation of astronomers even closer to the beauty and mystery of the night sky. Carefully compiled by Sir Patrick Moore, the Caldwell Catalog covers the entire celestial sphere, highlighting cosmic wonders for observers worldwide. Stephen James O'Meara has tirelessly observed all 109 Caldwell objects. Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects presents not only his beautiful sketches and detailed visual descriptions - it discusses each object's rich history and astrophysical significance. The latest fundamental data on each object are tabulated, and the book's star charts will lead observers to each object's precise location. This book is co-published with Sky Publishing Corporation.
'After his brilliant Deep-Sky Companions: The Messier Objects, 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, Parade Science Editor and codiscoverer of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9
While the Messier catalogue is used by amateur astronomers as a list of deep-sky objects for observation, Moore noted that Messier's list was not compiled for that purpose and excluded many of the sky's brightest deep-sky objects,[1] such as the Hyades, the Double Cluster (NGC 869 and NGC 884), and the Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253). The Messier catalogue was actually compiled as a list of known objects that might be confused with comets. Moore also observed that since Messier compiled his list from observations in Paris, it did not include bright deep-sky objects visible in the Southern Hemisphere, such as Omega Centauri, Centaurus A, the Jewel Box, and 47 Tucanae.[1][2] Moore compiled a list of 109 objects to match the commonly accepted number of Messier objects (he excluded M110[3]), and the list was published in Sky & Telescope in December 1995.[3]
In Southern Gems, Stephen James O'Meara makes a detour beneath the southern skies, presenting a fresh list of 120 deep-sky objects for southern hemisphere stargazers to observe. Showcasing many exceptional objects catalogued by the pioneering observer James Dunlop, known as the 'Messier of the southern skies', all are visible through small- to moderate-sized telescopes or binoculars under dark skies. The list features some of the blackest dark nebulae, icy blue planetary nebulae and magnificent galaxies of all types. Each object is accompanied by beautiful photographs and sketches, original finder charts, visual histories and up-to-date astrophysical background information. Whether you live in the southern hemisphere or are just visiting, this new Deep-Sky Companion will make a perfect observing partner, whatever your background. There is no other southern sky guide like it on the market.
p. 228:In atlas chart 1, NGC 225 is incorrectly labeled 255. Atlas Chart 11 has 2 errors.1) Both M36 and M38 are labeled "M36."2) The RA scale at the bottom of the chart is incorrect, off by 1 hour (anddisagreeing with the scale at the top of the chart!)Throughout the Atlas Chart section, we are redoing the color for thedeep-sky objects so that the objects show up better under the redlights typically used for observing. p. 236, paragraph 2, third sentence: change "g" to "80."p. 242: The Dumbbell Nebula is bright enough to be seen in binoculars, and is easily visible in light-polluted skies or bright moonlight in the smallest of telescopes. [Thanks to Jim Mullaney] 041b061a72