Your Favorite Observing Books

[Don Pensack]

No, that's a little above her needs for a while.
Try "Nightwatch" by Dickinson
Maybe for a lot of good beginner's advice:
"The Backyard Astronomer's Guide" by Dickinson & Dyer
And a good planisphere so she can learn the sky and see what's up when it gets dark any night of the year.
http://www.davidchandler.com/product...s_star-charts/

[davidem27]

I'm absolutely in LOVE with my books.
I have observing guides ones and more wordy books.
Love everyone of that.
I think they are the most valuable part of the entire of my astronomical equipment.

But. There is a book that became soon the last one I pick when I want to plan sessions.
Not for its subject, but for the words inside.
That's Herschel 400 Guide by O'Meara. I simply don't love it.
Not a criticism, but a thought of mine.

There is a podium, for me, with three books standing all above the others.

3. Galaxies and of to observe them - Steinicke
2. Observing and cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters - Steinicke
1. The Complete Guide to the Herschel Objects - Bratton

It's very, very hard to put some of my books off the podium:

• The Arp Atlas of peculiar Galaxies - Kanipe/Webb
• The de Vaucouleurs Atlas of Galaxies - Buta, Corwin, Odewahn
• NSOGs - Kepple, Sanner
• Nebulae and How to Observe Them - Coe
• Webb's Handbook - Various

Some have replicated concepts among them, but it's obvious.
But everyone has unique, preciouses pills of advices in it.

The Arp Atlas is an amazing, experienced guide and atlas for the 338 entries of galaxy. Really excellent layout and quality paper to the top notch.
The Vaucouleurs is unique for its content. Felt really good when I red it.
Nebulae is simple but very interesting.
NSOGs are similar to the Arp Atlas. But few objects.

The three books on the podium has something special instead of the others.

Galaxies has very, very well organized content and a complete discuss bout the subject.
Observing and Cataloguing sweats HISTORY.
The Herschel 2500 by Bratton is the complete valuable mix of history-practical and few scientific path for every objects of the William Herschel's giant work. The introduction of the book is splendid.