Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects

Featuring stunning images, updated observations and astrophysical descriptions, this is ideal for observers in search of a new challenge.

Stephen James O'Meara (Author), Mario Motta (Photographs by)

9781107083974, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 26 September 2016

573 pages, 520 b/w illus.
26.1 x 19 x 2.9 cm, 1.34 kg

'The claim of a wealth of information in this book not found anywhere else in popular astronomy is well justified … history, astrophysics and latest research findings of each object - it comes with. If the interest is simply in observing, [then] the non-colour photo, basic data, finder chart and sketch by the author are more than enough to get the readers started … Despite the recommendation that it is to be used together with Deep-Sky Companions: The Messier Objects … this book can actually stand alone … Under a dark sky condition, the objects are all observable with at least a 4-inch telescope, binoculars or even just the naked eye.' B. Ishak, Contemporary Physics

The Caldwell Catalogue, compiled by the late Sir Patrick Moore (1923–2012), has delighted amateur astronomers worldwide since its publication in 1995. Twenty years on, Stephen James O'Meara revisits his guide to these 109 deep-sky delights, breathing new life into them and the 20 additional observing targets included as an appendix. This second edition retains O'Meara's detailed visual descriptions and sketches, accompanied by stunning new images taken by amateur photographer Mario Motta and observations by Magda Streicher. The astrophysical descriptions have been updated to account for the many advances in our understanding of the objects, not least due to an armada of space-borne observatories and the new technologies used in large ground-based telescopes. Ideal for observers who have completed the Messier objects and are looking for their next challenge, Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects is a fitting tribute from a renowned visual observer to one of astronomy's most famous personalities.

Foreword to the first edition Patrick Moore
Preface
Acknowledgements
1. About this book
2. The Caldwell objects
3. Twenty spectacular non-Caldwell objects
Appendix A. The Caldwell Catalogue: basic data
Appendix ?. Why didn't Messier include the Double Cluster in his catalogue?
Appendix ?. William Herschel: the greatest observer of all time Larry Mitchell
Appendix D. Image credits
Index.

Subject Areas: Popular astronomy & space [WNX], Astronomy, space & time [PG], Mathematics & science [P]