Deep Sky Companions: The Messier Objects (Deep-Sky Companions) | 
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Product Description
If there were a canon for viewing the night sky, Charles Messier would be its author. The galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae cataloged by the famous comet hunter in the late 1700s are still the most widely observed celestial wonders in the heavens. They are the favorite targets of amateur astronomers, with such rich variety and detail that they never cease to fascinate. This book provides new and experienced observers with a fresh perspective on the Messier objects. Stephen James O'Meara has prepared a visual feast for the observer. Using the finest optical telescopes available for amateur work, he describes and sketches the view from the telescope as never before. There are new drawings, improved finder charts, and new astronomical data on each object, including findings from the Hubble Space Telescope. Expand your universe and test your viewing acumen with this truly modern Messier Guide. It is a must for budding night watchers. Stephen James O'Meara is a contributing editor to Sky and Telescope.
Amazon.com Review
Steve O'Meara has been called "the best visual planetary observer of modern times." The first to spot Comet Halley on its return in 1985, the first to determine the rotation period of Uranus, he now turns his amazing visual skills to the deep sky. Charles Messier was one of the best comet hunters of the 1700s, with 12 comet discoveries to his credit. He was frustrated because he kept wasting time looking at fuzzy objects that turned out not to be comets. The list he kept and published of "things that aren't comets" turned out to be his ticket to immortality. Amateur astronomers of all ages enjoy tackling the Messier catalogue members, because they represent a good sampling of what's "out there," and because finding them helps to hone observing skills. In a sense, the Messier objects are the testing grounds for budding skywatchers. O'Meara's guide is unique in conveying his approach to observing: "It's an approach based on creative perception and on using the imagination to see patterns and shapes in the subjects seen through the eyepiece. It involves using not just your eye but also your mind's eye to associate those patterns and shapes with things that are familiar with you, to create pictures and even stories." With O'Meara as your docent, you will truly appreciate the art of the universe. --Mary Ellen Curtin
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Customer Reviews:
• A Beautiful Guide To Observine 28 March, 2007
The Messier Objects are one of the foundations of amateur astronomy (along with the planets and comets). The name comes from Charles Messier who was a comet searcher. To avoid confusion he created a catalog of some fuzzy objects that might be confused by other comet hunters as being potential comets. He listed 110 objects for comet hunters to avoid. He had actually discovered 41 of them, the others had been discovered by others but were in the list to avoid.
Today's amateur has access to equiptment far in advance of Messier's and these non-comets are among the most frequented things being observed. That's because Messier's objects include star clusters, nebula, as Mr. O'Meara says, the finest showpieces in the heavens.
In this book Mr. O'Meara illustrates the 110 objects with drawings and or beautiful photographs. Here is the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31), 300,000,000 stars, the light from whom began its journey to us 2.3 million years ago. Then, of course, there's M77, 47 million light years away and more than a little bit strange.
After showing all the Messier objects, Mr. O'Meara discusses (but does not show photographs) of twenty spectacular non-Messier objects that he considers to be his personal favorites. This book would be a great present for almost any amateur astronomer.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A1M8PP7MLHNBQB
• Deep Sky Companions: The Messier Objects 10 September, 2007
Add this reference book to your collection and be ready to observe. Along with this addition Deep-Sky Companions: The Caldwell Objects (Deep-Sky Companions) and you can't miss.
- Reviewed by customer ID: ACBDSBR7JJ64N
• Seeing Messier Objects With New Eyes 10 January, 2007
After having read a few other books on the Messier Objects, I can confidently say that this one is a winner! Descriptions are both very helpful in preparing you for what to expect, if you have never seen a particular object before, but also provide new insight to those that think they have seen it all. The author describes subtle details, and guides you to persist on watching, until you can really see all that there is to see. After reading the descriptions, you will feel an urge to go to the field and see what you have been missing all the time!
The book also has a lot of historic comments, about Messier himself and the observations he did while compiling his list, that are both fascinating and intriguing to read. As for the drawbacks, I only wish the finder charts were more detailed. You will probably need a more detailed star map to locate the less prominent and obscure of these fine objects.Overall, I would warmly suggest this book to both new and experienced observers.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A37YJ7B5H18QBU
• What A Disappointment! 23 February, 2007
O'Meara starts this book out with real promise. Widely acknowledged as an expert observer, his efforts to set out and observe the Messier objects in detail (minimum 3 hours each) and sketch his impressions from a great dark-sky site sound impressive and exciting. After all, who wouldn't want to put their eyes up against the best? Better yet, it's well-known that it is easier to see something if you know exactly where to look for it and what it will look like. And the introduction leaves you hungering to explore these targets rather than punch them off a list in a few seconds.
But then O'Meara ruins it. He puts his own personal "interpretations" on the sketches, drawing bat figures or snakes over the objects - things that are only there in his imagination. For an experienced observer, it may be easy to draw the line between what is fancy and what is reality, but for someone approaching these objects for the first time, the only result is confusion and dismay. Do I look for that wispy segment or not?
A second version of the sketches would have been called for - one without the "extras." Instead, we're left with a book that had a lot of promise, but fails to deliver the very thing we're in need of - great, accurate sketches of the Messier objects as they appear in the eyepiece.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2YAPFJ384V9P4
• Fun But Not Practical 02 November, 2007
First off, I am a visual observer and sketcher of deepsky objects with 10 years of 'serious' experience. Like some other reviewers, I agree that this book is not very practical. Especially when you are trying to make a positive identification of a Messier Object.
O'Meara takes great artistic license in his sketches of the Messier catalog, and sees thing no other humans could. He is known for his visual acuity, and skill. (as a teenager he had the keys to Harvard's Observatory!)
However, if you are looking for a book for a cloudy night, it will fit the bill. It's very engaging, and O'Meara writes in a very friendly style. He is a very talented observer and writer. The book is laid out very nicely with a great format presenting each object very clearly.
The book is a fun read, but not very practical as an observing guide.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A3EA1ZGIGYEHI2
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