The Night Sky Observer's Guide : Vol. 1
by George Robert Kepple, Glen W. Sanner

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Book Summary Information

• Arrangement of the Guide:
• Each chapter is devoted to a constellation. The first page is devoted to generalcomments about the constellation. The second page is a map of the constellation which faces a stellar data table which usually fills the entire page.
• The remaining pages of each chapter contain photographs, sketches and finding charts - and all of these pages include writen descriptions of objects as seen through different sized instruments.
• Constellations Covered:
• VOLUME 1: Autumn and Winter

Book Reviews of The Night Sky Observer's Guide : Vol. 1

Book Review: Both volumes - information among the finest we've ever seen.
Summary: 5 Stars

By itself, the data is worth the price of admission. But the foundational text is a bottomless well from which to draw buckets of valuable knowledge about all the known types of deep space objects. This information is compiled in an ideal arrangement, and is laid out in logical and sensible format. Explanations and informative text are among the finest we've ever seen. The sheer quantity of information, along with an exemplary written style gives the impression that this work was composed by scores of eminent astrophysicists and astronomers, all contributing within the realms of their individual specialties, and then edited by a single omnipotent director. And sure enough, there is a lengthy acknowledgment to the contributors, the roster of which is very extensive, and the complexion of which is almost exclusively amateur.

The work is divided into two volumes or seasonal groups - Volume #1 is dedicated to Fall and Winter constellations, and #2 consists of Spring and Summer. Each volume is divided into segments, which present its constellations in alphabetical order. Each constellation begins with an impressively detailed list of double stars. Then there are the deep sky objects - dark nebulae, emission nebulae, globulars, galaxies, etc. Each individual object is given a description and a graphic rating (5 stars for the very best, and so on) with notes that justify its rank. Additionally, objects are listed in chart form by type as well. Sad to say, objects below a minimal southern latitude are not included.

For the most part, object descriptions are presented as seen with apertures between 8 and 12 inches (and larger). Roughly 30 percent of the observations are described as seen with smaller apertures, and some binocular objects are listed as well. As mentioned, the double star listings are superbly done. There are over 2,100 worthy examples of these. This list is among the most detailed we've ever seen.

These are a pair of really big books! There's an interesting but typical reaction displayed upon seeing one close-up for the first time. They dwarf the average encyclopedia edition (remember those?). They are even bigger than the law books you see behind the District Attorney's desk on a TV serial. And we appreciate the hard glossy cover with no separate jacket to rip or lose. They aren't cheap books either. It would seem practical for the amateur on a budget to acquire them separately.

Kepple and Sanner are amateur astronomers who've created a magnificent work, worthy of commendation reserved for meritorious professionals. The magnitude of their efforts is astonishing, even considering that all of it was pieced together from smaller works that they themselves authored quite some time ago. We are so impressed with the quality of this work, that we've given it "Honorable Mention" status on the Belmont Society's "Required Reading" list. The only reason it didn't make the main list is because many amateurs do not have access to, or are deprived of the opportunity or the means to use larger aperture telescopes.

Very highly recommended.

Summary of The Night Sky Observer's Guide : Vol. 1

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