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Title: Norton's Star Atlas and Reference Handbook, 20th Edition by Ian Ridpath ISBN: 0-13-145164-2 Publisher: Pi Press Pub. Date: 08 October, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $30.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 5 (5 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: 20th edition, second printing is spectacular!
Comment: In a previous review I expressed disappointment that a printing error seriously marred the usefulness of the latest edition of this updated classic. Well, the publisher tracked me down and sent a copy of the second printing. I am delighted to report that all the errors have been fixed and this new edition is a wonderful addition to any amateur astronomer's bookshelf (or eyepiece case). The text begins with excellent discussions of time and celestial coordinate systems (often confusing to beginner and long-timer alike). The new higher contrast moon maps are a major improvement over the washed-out maps in some previous editions. The heart of the atlas are the 16 starcharts, presented in the two-disk/six gore format familiar to lovers of the previous editions of the Norton's. These maps are more readable than ever, giving visual precidence to the stars themselves rather than labels, grid lines, etc. A thoughtful touch was to print the charts with a generous gutter margin so that stars near the celestial equator don't get trapped out of sight down in the spine of the book. As a matter of style I differ (perhaps) with another reviewer who would have liked to have seen color photographs--I guess I am nostalgic for the familiar "Norton's Green" and appreciate that editor Ridpath and designer Nix have continued the tradition in what is otherwise a major update of the classic. They are to be commended for this beautiful, useful, and authoritative book.
Rating: 5
Summary: It's actually more readable under red flashlight !
Comment: My first impression of this new edition is, "What a beautiful book" ! And indeed, a lot of improvements have been introduced, with substantial new materials.
One thing most people forgot to mention about this "old classic" is that it does not shy away from hard technical definitions, tables, and quite a few key equations, which a serious observer will eventually need. Yes, it does not contain color astrophoto plates to make the readers feel warm and fuzzy, but it does contain more key information in one place.
I wish the other more detailed atlases could consider adding information like these in Norton's.
After browsing the atlas chart pages for a few minutes, I started to worry a little bit, especially after seeing the other reviewers' comments about the Green labels/fonts on top of green Milky Way background color. Under normal lighting it is certainly readable, but one tends to think the old black labels might have worked better...
Well, worry NOT ! When viewed in the darkness of the night under red flashlights, the green labels on green milky way background actually turn out to be clearer ! This design for better field usage justifies the choice of two-color printing in this new edition.
It's the same price as the previous edition, but in hardcover and heavy duty paper. What more can one ask for ?
Definitely a must for any astronomy lover !
Rating: 5
Summary: Norton's Star Atlas and Reference Handbook
Comment: The most elegant and handsome edition of this classic I've ever
seen.Don't leave home (at night) without it!!
(No stars missing in my copy!)
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Title: Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe by Terence Dickinson ISBN: 1552093026 Publisher: Firefly Books Pub. Date: November, 1998 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Terence Dickinson, Alan Dyer ISBN: 155209507X Publisher: Firefly Books Pub. Date: October, 2002 List Price(USD): $49.95 |
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Title: The Night Sky 30°-40° (Large) by David S. Chandler ISBN: 0961320753 Publisher: David Chandler Co. Pub. Date: 01 January, 1998 List Price(USD): $11.00 |
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Title: Star Watch: The Amateur Astronomer's Guide to Finding, Observing, and Learning About over 125 Celestial Objects by Philip S. Harrington ISBN: 0471418048 Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Pub. Date: 18 July, 2003 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Sky Atlas 2000.0, 2nd Deluxe Edition by Wil Tirion, Roger W. Sinnott ISBN: 0521627621 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 13 November, 1998 List Price(USD): $50.00 |
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