3,000 Deep-Sky Objects An Annotated Catalogue [Paperback]

This title is a comprehensive set of visual descriptions of deep-sky objects visible from the northern hemisphere. It is a record of the most extensive and systematic visual survey of the sky ever done in modern times. 3,000 deep-sky objects are listed with short descriptions of the visual appearance in the author's powerful binocular telescope. Objects in the book are organized by position for easy identification of unknown targets. Full indexes by catalog numbers and names allow searches for specific objects.This book lists 3,000 deep-sky objects visible from the northern hemisphere, described as they appear in the author's powerful binocular telescope. The contents are organized by position for easy identification, and indexed by name and catalog numbers.Preface.- Part I: Introduction.- The Observing Project: An Overview.- Objects Chosen and Mode of Observing.- Verbal Descriptions vs. Illustrations.- Instrumentation.- The GC/NGC Descriptions and the Herschels.- Observational Parameters in the Descriptions of This Catalogue.- The Visual Appearance of Deep-Sky Objects.- Binocular Vision.- How to Use this Catalogue.- Part II: The Catalogue.- 0-6 hours: Fall.- 6-12 hours: Winter.- 12-18 hours: Spring.- 18-24 hours: Summer.- Appendix A: Making a Sky Atlas.- Appendix B: Notes on Object Descriptions.- Appendix C: The Visibility of Galatic Detail.- Appendix D: Building a Binocular Telescope.- Acknowledgements.- Index.

From the reviews:

In 3,000 Deep-Sky Objects, Aranda & provides his personal, written descriptions of stars, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies based just on what he was able to see by eye through his unique binocular telescope. & Aranda includes instructions on how to create ones own finding charts using modern planetarium software and also provides color images of his homemade telescope for those who may wish to try to reproduce it. Summing Up: Recommended. Amateur astronomers. (C. Palma, Choice, Vol. 49 (10), June, 2012)