Late stocking filler: An Amateurs Guide to Observing & Imaging the Heavens:

[baggywrinkle]

An Amateurs Guide to Observing & Imaging the Heavens:

Ian Morrison; Cambridge University Press ISBN978-1-107-61960-9 (£25 at the book shop and can be bought off Amazon)

Not quite a full review more in the way of a heads up. I came across this book in the Cambridge University Press bookshop in er ….Cambridge just before I flew out for a 3 week visit to Shanghai over the holiday period. I was looking for a good astronomical read and this one seemed to fit the bill. It wouls suit beginners as well as more expeirenced astronomers.

Though a little expensive it is an excellent book maybe late for the Christmas Elves to deliver but still good for Hogmanay.

‘Make Every Photon Count’ the highly recommended tome on SGL still stands out there for pure imaging related information and ideas but this book tries to look at both aspects, visual and imaging and is excellently written.

The first 8 chapters cover equipment and selection and some very good explanations of the various OTA formats and their potential limits. It discusses in a very clear way central obstruction limits, stray light prevention and so on  including a good readable section of how the quality of objective lenses and mirrors are assesed.

Some of the best explanations I have read and unlike web based equipment specs, unbiased.

It goes through accessories such as EP’s and mounts. Best of all it is bang up to date on the equipment mentioned…unlike some of the Patrick Moore series Princeton press books.

The images used are excellent quality, properly done and not the grainy ones I have often seen in other books. Princeton Press please take note!

Chapters 9&10 cover visual observation and then in chapters 11-16 a more in depth look is given on imaging.

Ian Morrison also keeps up to date by introducing and showing the use of Photoshop techniques. Yes there are other programmes but bear in mind this is an introduction.

He is a radio astronomer with Univ of  Manchester and Gresham College Cambridge but has a keen interest in visual work too.

All in all I would rate this a 9.5/10  the lower mark being the price not the contents.