Synopses & Reviews
A unique and necessary reference for amateurs and professionals alike, with comprehensive coverage of the thousands of celestial objects outside our solar system—but within the range of two- to twelve-inch telescopes. The objects are grouped according to the constellations in which they appear, and their definitions feature names, celestial coordinates, classification, and a full physical description, along with hundreds of charts, photographs, and other visual aids. These, together with a star atlas, will assist stargazers at every level of experience in finding and identifying celestial objects. This volume, Volume I of a three-volume set, consists of an introduction and the beginning of the alphabetical list of constellations, from Andromeda to Cetus. Also available are Volume II, with entries from Chameleon to Orion; and Volume III, which completes the sequence, from Pavo to Vulpecula, and includes an index. 1977 ed.
Synopsis
While there are many books on stars, there is only one Celestial Handbook. Now completely revised through 1977, this unique and necessary reference is available once again to guide amateur and advanced astronomers in their knowledge and enjoyment of the stars.
Volume I of this comprehensive three-part guide tothe thousands of celestial objects outside our solar system ranges from Andromedathrough Cetus.Objects are grouped according to constellation, and their definitions feature names, coordinates, classifications, and physical descriptions. After an extensive introduction in Volume I, which gives the beginner enough information to follow about 80 percent of the body of the material, the author gives comprehensive coverage to the thousands of celestial objects outside our solar system that are within the range of telescopes in the two- to twelve-inch range.
The objects are grouped according to the constellations in which they appear. Each constellation is divided into four subject sections: list of double and multiple stars; list of variable stars; list of star clusters, nebulae and galaxies; and descriptive notes. For each object the author gives names, celestial coordinates, classification, and full physical description. These, together with a star atlas, will help you find and identify almost every object of interest.
But the joy of the book is the descriptive notes that follow. They cover history, unusual movements or appearance, and currently accepted explanations of such visible phenomena as white dwarfs, novae and super novae, cepheids, mira-type variables, dark nebulae, gaseous nebulae, eclipsing binary stars, the large Magellanic cloud, the evolution of a star cluster, and hundreds of other topics, many of which are difficult to find in one place. Hundreds of charts and other visual aids are included to help in identification. Over 300 photographs capture the objects and are works of beauty that reflect the enthusiasm that star gazers have for their subject.
Robert Burnham, Jr., who was on the staff of the Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, Arizona, conceived the idea of The Celestial Handbook decades ago, when he began assembling a notebook of all the major facts published about each celestial object. In its former, privately printed edition, this handbook was acclaimed as one of the most helpful books for astronomers on any level."
Synopsis
Thorough guide to the stars beyond our solar system. Exhaustive treatment. Alphabetical by constellation. Andromeda to Cetus in Vol. 1. 187 photos. Index in Vol. 3. Vol. 1 of three-vol. set.
Synopsis
Volume I of this comprehensive three-part guide to the thousands of celestial objects outside our solar system ranges from Andromeda through Cetus. Objects are grouped according to constellation, and their definitions feature names, coordinates, classifications, and physical descriptions. Additional notes offer fascinating historical information. Hundreds of visual aids. 1977 edition.
Synopsis
This comprehensive coverage of the thousands of celestial objects outside our solar system. Volume I of the three-volume work covers Andromeda to Cetus.
Synopsis
Volume I of a comprehensive three-part guide to celestial objects outside our solar system ranges from Andromeda to Cetus. Features coordinates, classifications, physical descriptions, hundreds of visual aids. 1977 edition.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTORY SECTION
CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION
Amateur Astronomy - A Personal View
The Idea Behind the Celestial Handbook
CHAPTER 2 - INTRODUCING THE UNIVERSE
A Celestial Survey
The Distance Scale of the Universe
CHAPTER 3 - FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE FOR THE OBSERVER
"Gaining a "Working Knowledge" of the Heavens. "
The Constellations; Apparent Motions and Seasonal Changes.
The Celestial Sphere. Celestial Coordinates.
Precession.
Directions in the Sky.
Sidereal Time.
Angular Measurement.
The Magnitude System; Apparent and Absolute Magnitudes.
Color Indices.
Star Names and Designations.
Star Atlases.
Stellar Spectral Classes.
"Star Motions; Proper Motion, Radial Velocity. Stellar temperatures. "
The H-R Diagram.
Star Distances. Distance Units.
"Double Stars, Variable Stars. "
Classification of Nebulae and Galaxies.
CHAPTER 4 - HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
The Arrangement of the Celestial Handbook
"Terms, Symbols, and Abbreviations Used. "
THE CELESTIAL HANDBOOK
"CONSTELLATION INDEX, VOLUME I "