Veteran starhopper and Astronomical League Master Observer Stephen Saber offers tips and stress-free instructions for hunting these enticing but sometimes elusive celestial treasures.
This guide also contains search sequences, starcharts, object types, magnitudes, coordinates, and equatorial directions from selected guide stars for all 400 astronomical targets.
Log entries and observation notes can also be recorded, and are indexed for quick reference.
Great for individual or club projects.
220 pages, spiral bound.
$29.95 plus $4 shipping.
Discounts for orders of 10 or more.
*****
Review by Ed Flaspoehler, American Association of Amateur Astronomers www.astromax.org
I just received in the mail a copy of Stephen Saber's manual, the Starhoppers Guide to the Herschel 400. Since I am currently working on the Herschel project myself, I was very interested to see how it could help in my search.
First, let's make it clear that this book is not just a replacement for the AL's Observe: The Herschel Objects. In that book, there are descriptions of the 400 objects in order by NGC number, which are divided into four groups for each season of the year. But that is all. Unlike even the AL's Messier manual, there are just a few pages of generic forms in the back, and not even enough to complete the project. I had to photocopy forms as needed.
Saber's book, however, is both a guide and an observing log. Here, the list is sequenced within each constellation. Then, for each object, there is the NGC number, object type and magnitude, coordinates, page number in both Uranometria and Sky Atlas 2000, and a place to make observing notes.
Saber has also added an additional feature. There is a brief and specific notation on how to starhop to the object you are looking for. Each page of the Guide is face-to-face with a map of the constellation in which you are working. On the maps are designated start-off points from which to star hop, and instructions on which direction and how far to go to find your object. Since this is how I usually go about finding an object I am sure it will work. It should be noted that the NGC objects themselves are not notated on the maps. For that information you may wish to refer to your own chart, such as Sky Atlas 2000, Uranometria, etc.
I currently have numerous loose-leaf pages of observing logs. The only way I can keep track of how many and which objects I have observed is to make a check mark in the AL's Herschel book. I also have another list in constellation order, so I end up making multiple notations for each object. A real chore.
Saber's book will make this job alot easier. And if it makes your time in the field better spent, then it is surely worth the price.
*****
I really like how the Starhoppers Guide to the Herschel 400 is laid out- in a great linear order, no nonsense, and the star charts are perfect. Simple enough to not seem cluttered, and I still have room for some pencil marks here and there. It is really quite easy to use.
Saber's Guide helps teach what the Herschel Program is supposed to instill, starhopping to find challenge objects, and has even helped me refine my skills. I have a feeling that I am going to give this book a lot of use and recommend it to those who are starting or working on the Herschel 400.
-Brian Carter (Atlanta Astronomy Club)
*****
Saber guides us through the Herschel 400 objects with ease and precision. Uncluttered charts and flowing starhops will certainly save any observer alot of time and frustration at the scope. In addition, the indexed target and log entries will always serve as a quick reference to the Herschels and my observations. Highly recommended.
-Bob Bryant (MAL/Astronomical League)
*****
google top searches weather dictionary dogs cats pets american idol cars mapquest map directions games tattoo piercing horoscopes airport taxicab free song lyrics ipod chat singles blog text ringtones 50 cent bmw jessica simpson alba movies amazon oprah martha stewart jewelry weddings marriage nascar virus protection ebay britney big brother star trek pizza tickets concert spears lindsay lohan rachael ray miley cyrus world cup wikipedia wiki video comedy jobs tax return stocks money loans insurance gifts furniture medicine drugs hospital schools simpsons homes rent classifieds sale discount new used television wholesale spyware repair nude yahoo paris hilton nfl att ups fedex wwe food hotels poems baby names music google msn hotmail books cd cnn sports sex shoes download bands new york los angeles chicago