Oculum-Verlag - Atlas of Messier Objects 2nd Edition

Ronald Stoyan - Atlas of Messier Objects 2nd Edition

The Messier catalog of 110 star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies is the most popular list of deep sky gems. The first edition of this stunning reference atlas was hailed as the most comprehensive, detailed, and beautiful account of the Messier objects then available and the second edition continues this trend.

Each object is presented with:
- Updated historical information, including from new sources, such as William Herschel, featuring accounts and anecdotes from Messier and other prominent visual observers who followed him
- Thoroughly researched astrophysical information, the results of an investigation of more than 500 recent scientific papers including, for the first time, fully consistent distance data from the Gaia space observatory
- Extensive information on visual observing using the naked eye, binoculars, and amateur telescopes from modest sizes up to 20 inches aperture.
- New large-format color photos from some of the best amateurs, showing the splendor of the objects, as well as close-ups from the Hubble Space Telescope showing the fine details of some objects.

The introductory section includes an extensive biographical portrait of the life of Charles Messier, his observations and his telescopes, and his contemporaries, and a complete translation of the original Messier catalog. There is also detailed information on how to observe the Messier objects and advice on how to conduct a Messier Marathon. For those looking for even more, the author provides the Herschel 100 list. In addition, many objects are accompanied by historical sketches by classic nineteenth-century observers as well as modern deep-sky drawings by the author.

Astronomers of all experience levels will be delighted with the return of the Atlas as a guide to the most beautiful objects in the sky.

- Book in English language