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Burnham's Celestial Handbook #2
Burnham's Celestial Handbook: An Observer's Guide to the Universe Beyond the Solar System, Volume 2: Chamaeleon Through Orion
Chamaeleon Through Orion 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 percent of the body of the material, the author gives comprehensive coverage to the thousands of celestial objects outside our solar system that are within the range of 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 variable stars; list of star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies; and descriptive notes. For each object the author gives names, celestial coordinates, 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, mira-type variables, dark nebulae, gaseous nebulae, eclipsing binary stars, the large Magellanic cloud, 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.
After an extensive introduction in Volume I, which gives the beginner enough information to follow about 80 percent of the body of the material, the author gives comprehensive coverage to the thousands of celestial objects outside our solar system that are within the range of 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 variable stars; list of star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies; and descriptive notes. For each object the author gives names, celestial coordinates, 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, mira-type variables, dark nebulae, gaseous nebulae, eclipsing binary stars, the large Magellanic cloud, 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.
704 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
14 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Robert Burnham Jr.
12 books4 followersRobert 'Bob' Burnham, Jr, was a United States astronomer. He is best known in astronomical circles for his classic work "Burnham's Celestial Handbook".
Burnham developed an interest in astronomy at a young age, and in 1957 discovered a comet. This led to an appointment at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. A position he retained until 1979 when funding was no longer available.
While at the observatory, in addition to his duties, he discovered five additional comets, and, using the extensive Lowell library, composed this handbook. This was a work clearly superior to any else available, and proved immediately popular with the amateur astronomy community. The work was in three volumes, and it discussed in great detail the objects visible to amateur telescopes in each constellation.
After Burnham left Lowell his life took a turn to the worse. He had some difficulty coping, and spent his last years selling sketches of cats in Balboa Park, San Diego, California. He died unknown and alone, however, he is well remembered in the astronomical community.
An element of confusion existed between this Burnham, and a science writer and astronomer also named Robert Burnham. As this latter Burnham had a successful career, the confusion in identity caused many who knew of Burnham Jr to assume that he was alive and well.
Burnham developed an interest in astronomy at a young age, and in 1957 discovered a comet. This led to an appointment at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. A position he retained until 1979 when funding was no longer available.
While at the observatory, in addition to his duties, he discovered five additional comets, and, using the extensive Lowell library, composed this handbook. This was a work clearly superior to any else available, and proved immediately popular with the amateur astronomy community. The work was in three volumes, and it discussed in great detail the objects visible to amateur telescopes in each constellation.
After Burnham left Lowell his life took a turn to the worse. He had some difficulty coping, and spent his last years selling sketches of cats in Balboa Park, San Diego, California. He died unknown and alone, however, he is well remembered in the astronomical community.
An element of confusion existed between this Burnham, and a science writer and astronomer also named Robert Burnham. As this latter Burnham had a successful career, the confusion in identity caused many who knew of Burnham Jr to assume that he was alive and well.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 22, 2024
Still my go-to reference book for historical information about deep sky objects. Mr. Burnham spent significant time in his historical research into star and constellation names, and research into the finer deep sky objects. A welcome addition to my astronomy reference book collection.
November 8, 2011
Well now that Im in to the Stars and All the deep space objects and all that is above I have added this to my ever growing library of books. I dont know why they havent added volumes 1 and 3 also total disappointment because if your a amuteur astronomer these books come in very handy. Volume 1 was the best it puts astronomical terms in lamens terms to understand things better. Especially when it comes to things like AU, and light years and ratio to proportion between the two....its a must have for star gazers and maybe might be a little hard to understand but hey...go to school take a astronomy class and if you get the chance man... read this before yo register and excell through the class. Above all it's awesome, enjoy
November 12, 2008
Chamaeleon thru Orion. Max Planck: "Science cannot solve the ultimate mystery of nature. And that is because in the last analysis we ourselves are part of nature and, therefore, part of the mystery we are trying to solve."
April 7, 2012
This 3 volume set is a must for amatuer and professional astronomers. It provides detailed information on stars(single, variable & binary), galaxies and nebulea by constellation including coordinates, magnitudes and finding charts. This series is a bit dated but the information is still current.
July 16, 2016
An excellent way to enjoy astronomy. Not dumbed down with all that pie-eyed, verbose horseshit. not too pandering but not too technical either. Also, Burnham's personal story is sad and amazing. He should have a planet named after him or something.
January 20, 2016
Seriously dated but still a lot of great information.
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June 5, 2018Dated but still very informative! Though several have tried no one else comes close to this series of guidebooks.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews