Astronomer's Pocket Field Guide

Here is a lunar atlas designed specifically for use in the field by lunar observers. Its title, “The Six-inch Lunar Atlas” refers both to the aperture of the telescope used to make the images in the book. The author's own lunar photographs were taken with a 6-inch (150mm) telescope and CCD camera, and closely match the visual appearance of the Moon when viewed through a modest (3-inch to 8-inch) telescope. (Depending on seeing, of course.) Each picture is shown oriented "as the Moon really is" when viewed from the northern hemisphere and is supplemented by exquisite computer sketches that list the main features. Two separate computer sketches are provided to go with each photograph, one oriented to appear as seen through an SCT telescope (e.g., the Meade and Celestron ranges), the other oriented for Newtonian and refracting telescopes. It is worth commenting that most observers find it extremely difficult to identify lunar features when using a conventional atlas and SCT telescope—the human brain is very poor at making "mirror-image" visual translations. There is a page of descriptions for the salient features in each photograph. Finally, an index at the end of the book lists all the features identified, and gives their approximate height, depth and for crater, diameter.

Observing the Sun is for amateur astronomers at all three levels: beginning, intermediate, and advanced. The beginning observer is often trying to find a niche or define a specific interest in his hobby, and the content of this book will spark that interest in solar observing because of the focus on the dynamics of the Sun. Intermediate and advanced observers will find the book invaluable in identifying features (through photos, charts, diagrams) in a logical, orderly fashion and then guiding the observer to interpret the observations. Because the Sun is a dynamic celestial body in constant flux, astronomers rarely know for certain what awaits them at the eyepiece. All features of the Sun are transient and sometimes rather fleeting. Given the number of features and the complex life cycles of some, it can be a challenging hobby. "Observing the Sun" provides essential illustrations, charts, and diagrams that depict the forms and life cycles of the numerous features visible on the Sun.