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While there are many books on stars, there is only one Celestial Handbook. Now completely revised through 1977, this unique and necessary reference is available once again to guide amateur and advanced astronomers in their knowledge and enjoyment of the stars.
After an extensive introduction in Volume I, which gives the beginner enough information to follow about 80 per cent of the body of the material, the author gives comprehensive coverage of the thousands of celestial objects outside our solar system that are within the range of the telescopes in the two-to-twelve-inch range.
The objects are grouped according to the constellations in which they appear. Each constellation is divided into four subject sections: list of double and multiple stars; list of star clusters, nebulae and galaxies; and, descriptive notes. For each object the author gives names, celestial co-ordinates, classification and full physical description. These, together with a star atlas, will help you find and identify almost every object of interest.
But the joy of the book is the descriptive notes that follow. They cover history, unusual movements or appearances, and currently accepted explanations of such visible phenomena as white dwarfs, novae and supernovae, cepheids, binary stars, the evolution of a star cluster, and hundreds of other topics, many of which are difficult to find in one place. Hundreds of charts and other visual aids are included to help in identification. Over 300 photographs capture the objects and, in themselves, are works of beauty that reflect the enthusiasm that star gazers have for their subject.
Robert Burnham, Jr who was on the staff of the Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, Arizona, conceived the idea of The Celestial Handbook some 25 years ago, when he began assembling a notebook of all the major facts published about each celestial object. In its former, privately printed, edition this handbook was acclaimed as one of the most helpful books for astronomers on any level.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Burnham is a "given" among amateur astronomers. Until quite recently there was no work other than this that contained so much useful information in one place. It's also much more than just a reference. Despite his twenty years at Lowell Observatory, Burnham seems to have remained an "amateur" in the highest sense. His love of the night sky is plainly communicated not only in his entertaining digressions into myth and poetry but also by the obvious effort he put in before the days of PC's and word processors. I began by using these books to get information on objects I already had in mind, but very quickly, the inconspicuous and the usually overlooked began to take on a "real identity" when Burnham spoke about them. The sky became immeasurably richer. Burnham died destitute in 1993. I'm in his debt. He's that wise and experienced friend standing at my side sharing what he knows.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was impressed with these books (set of 3 volumes) the very first time I saw them.
The introduction in the first book brings a beginner up to speed on what is really happening 'out there'. For beginners and seasoned amateurs alike, it helps you to appreciate the objects in the universe, their sizes, the scale of the universe, and our place in it. They help a person to answer the question, "What do I look for?". The long introduction is both a fine tutorial, and a great review, to help one get and keep 'the big picture' in mind.
The books inculde a massive amount of detailed information on objects in every constellation. They earn their own way to a place in my library.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This series of three books contain the most precise information in a usable form for the amateur that I have seen. A classic series that would be almost impossible to duplicate. Although limited to 1950 co-ordinates for celestial objects this does not detract from the usability of the information contained within the pages. Clearly and consisely written, with background information as well as clear descriptions of the objects listed. The books could have constellation maps, but since I use them with a star atlas this would be a luxury.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Just an opinion
After reading many many reviews concerning Burnahm's "Magnum Opus", i decided to go for it and have a first hand experience of the 3 volumes of the "Burnham's Celestial... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Alexandros Masmanidis
I did not know that.
I am currently in the process of reading the three book series where I have found has indepted descriptions and charts of all of the current heavenly bodies our of our solar... Read more
Published on 27 Jun 1999
a must for every amateur astronomer
i'm an amateur astronomer since 1985 and own the 3-volume set of burnham's handbook since 1987. believe me: there's nothing comparable to this work. Read more
Published on 5 Aug 1998
Good source of information, but dated and poorly presented
I found this and the other two volumes of the 3-volume set to be chock-full of useful information about astronomy in general, especially the intro sections of volume one. Read more
Published on 4 Jun 1998
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