Deep-Sky Wonders: A Tour of the Universe with Sky and Telescope's Sue French

by Sue French

Overview

"The quality of the deep-sky images is outstanding—a tribute to the various photographers as well as the book's printer. But it's the written word that will make or break a book like this, and Sue's writing is superb... [For] an occasional stargazer, a serious observer, or anyone in between, you won't go wrong with Deep-Sky Wonders. This is a great introduction to deep-sky stargazing for novice and experienced amateur astronomers alike."
—Mercury, publication of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific

Sue French writes the popular column "Deep-Sky Wonders" for Sky and Telescope magazine and also teaches deep sky observation. She has earned a loyal following among enthusiasts and is welcomed by beginners for her skill at presenting astronomy in an understandable way. After selling 10,000 copies of Deep-Sky Wonders in hardcover, we expect a good response for this paperback edition at an accessible price.

Deep-Sky Wonders is a collection of 100 of French's best "Deep-Sky Wonders" columns originally published in Sky and Telescope, which has a monthly readership exceeding 100,000. The book is organized by season and subdivided into months for a total of 100 in-depth tours of the deep sky. Each deep sky tour illuminates little-known seasonal wonders that lie off the beaten path.

Features include:

• Full-color photographs and detailed sketches of each deep sky tour
• Descriptions of double and variable stars, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies and exotics
• Historical and scientific background of particular interest
• A tabular listing of the deep-sky sites
• Color charts showing the position of each target in the night sky
• An index to all of the deep-sky objects covered.

Deep-Sky Wonders also features a variety of challenging objects that encourage observers to test the limits of their equipment and skills. Suitable for beginner and intermediate small-scope astronomers as well as large-scope viewers and astrophotographers, this book will be greeted enthusiastically by all Sky and Telescope readers. It is also an outstanding introduction to deep-sky viewing for novice observers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780228102748
Publisher:	Firefly Books, Limited
Publication date:	10/29/2020
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Sue French has an Associate's Degree in physics and has been an avid deep-sky observer for 43 years. She worked as a planetarium educator for 21 years and, among numerous other astronomy activities, board memberships, lectures and teaching, French has been a contributing editor and monthly columnist for Sky and Telescope magazine since 1997, where she is best known for her observing and review articles. French lives near Schenectady, New York, but travels regularly to enjoy the deep sky from different vantage points. She and her husband, Alan, received the Astronomical League award for outstanding contributions to astronomy and have asteroid 17638 Sualan named for them.

Editorial Reviews

[Review of hardcover edition:] [French] conveys her enthusiasm for viewing planetary nebulae, constellations, stars, the Milky Way, and galaxies beyond our home.

Book News

[Review of hardcover edition:] French's crisp and conversational writing that makes the process of picking distant nebulae out of the heavens seem simple. Like a science-minded Martha Stewart, she spices up the conversation with tidbits of history (who discovered what and when) to keep readers motivated. Most important, she has a museum curator's eye for detail', helping readers to fully appreciate those tiny flecks of light once they find them.

Aaron Leitko

[Review of hardcover edition:] Book reviews are rarely included in Mercury, but some books call out to be an exception to this rule. Sue French's Deep-Sky Wonders is one such volume.... The quality of the deep-sky images is outstanding — a tribute to the various photographers as well as the book's printer. But it's the written word that will make or break a book like this, and Sue's writing is superb. ... If you're looking for a gift for someone who is an occasional stargazer, a serious observer, or anyone in between, you won't go wrong with Deep-Sky Wonders. This is a great introduction to deep-sky stargazing for novice and experienced amateur astronomers alike.

Mercury - Paul Deans

[Review of hardcover edition:] French...is well regarded for having extensive knowledge on the subject [and] conveying this in a very readable and easy-to-understand way.

Astronomy Now - Nicky Gutridge

[Review of hardcover edition:] Highly recommended for anyone interested in deep sky astronomy—it makes for a beautiful and informative read.

Astronomy Now

[Review of hardcover edition:] [Sue French's] extensive knowledge of the subject is showcased in these 100 detailed tours, including color photographs, descriptions of objects such as stars and clusters and galaxies, historical and scientific background, color charts, and more. The detailed but very readable content is organized by seasons and then by month.... Obscure but interesting astronomical tidbits...are presented with instructions on how to locate the object.... Star maps, a list of additional resources, and an index round out this outstanding book, which is of use to students, both those new to astronomy as well as experienced observers.

Denise A. Garofalon Reference Books Annual 2012

[Review of hardcover edition:] [Sue French's] extensive knowledge of the subject is showcased in these 100 detailed tours, including color photographs, descriptions of objects such as stars and clusters and galaxies, historical and scientific background, color charts, and more. The detailed but very readable content is organized by seasons and then by month.... Obscure but interesting astronomical tidbits...are presented with instructions on how to locate the object.... Star maps, a list of additional resources, and an index round out this outstanding book, which is of use to students, both those new to astronomy as well as experienced observers.

American Reference Books Annual 2012 - Denise A. Garofalo