The Constellation Observing Atlas

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xv

   PDF

2. Introduction: Background and How to Use This Book

   • Grant Privett, Kevin Jones

   Pages 1-6

3. Constellation Maps

   • Grant Privett, Kevin Jones

   Pages 7-213

4. Back Matter

   Pages 215-221

   PDF

Designed for anyone who wishes to learn the constellations or observe the best and brightest deep sky objects and double stars, this book contains an alphabetical list of constellations complete with star maps, historical background, and highlights of deep sky objects. Each entry contains position and physical information on enough stars to support astronomers in star-hopping, swinging the telescope from star to star to star to arrive at a faint target. It provides a carefully selected list of accessible and rewarding deep sky objects.

Full-color maps show the constellations, with star types (spectral and physical) indicated by the colors used on the map. Extended objects such as galaxies and nebulae are shown with the approximate apparent size in the sky. With unmatched thoroughness and accessibility, this is a constellation atlas that makes the ideal companion to a night's telescope viewing, for novices and expert amateur astronomers alike. Easy to navigate and refer to, it is the key that unlocks the door to greater night sky exploration.

• Astronomical atlas
• Astronomical observing
• Deep-sky objects
• Field atlas
• Northern sky constellations
• Observing constellations
• Southern sky constellations
• Star maps

From the book reviews:

“This concise atlas of constellations presents the 88 constellations in use, gives an overview of some of the more interesting facts about the constellation … . This book is an excellent start for a newcomer in stargazing, as the book is helpful in identifying the constellation. … the short descriptions of constellations are more entertaining than in the average book dealing with the same topic, making ‘The Constellation Observing Atlas’ a lot more fun and a quick read.” (Kadri Tinn, Astromadness.com, August, 2014)

“‘The Constellation Observing Atlas,’ by Grant Privett and Kevin Jones, will guide you around the night sky, and help you find the most interesting objects. This atlas uses the patterns of the constellations to cut the sky up into bite-sized pieces, giving the amateur observer an easy to use method for exploring the night sky. … The authors have done a good job of being informative and fun, and I highly recommend this book to amateur and novice observers.” (Evan Gough, Universe Today, December, 2013)

• Salisbury, United Kingdom

  Grant Privett

• Calne, United Kingdom

  Kevin Jones

Grant Privett has a BSc in Astrophysics, an MSc in Computer Modelling, and a BA in Instrumentation and Mathematics. He is an active astronomer and author of two other Springer titles (Deep Sky Observer’s Year and Creating and Enhancing Digital Astro Images) as well as 100+ articles for magazines that include Astronomy Now, Sky & Telescope, and Sky at Night. Previously an Astronomer-programmer for PPARC, he works for the UK Ministry of Defense as a physicist specializing in imaging. He is also the Variable Nebulae Coordinator for the British Astronomical Association Deep Sky Section. Privett frequently gives talks to astronomy societies in the UK.

Kevin Jones is currently professionally employed by the UK Ministry of Defense as a technical programmer and researcher. He is a mathematician with wide experience in geo-spatial data handling and data visualization.

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