Astronomers' Observing Guides

This is a series of books for amateur astronomers, each book dealing with either a specific object (e.g. a major planet, the Orion nebula), or class of object (e.g., binary stars). There will be an easily recognized series cover design to differentiate the series.

Books in this series are unique having two distinct parts. The first provides the most up-to-date physical and theoretical information about their subject, often with color images. The second part deals with observing the subject.

Although there will be a natural variation according to the subject of the book, each book in the series will be distinguished by this two-part structure, first the descriptive and then the observational content. The titles – all on the lines of "XX , and How to Observe it/them" will reflect the structure.

The first part is descriptive, with many (probably color) illustrations and where necessary diagrams. This part includes the very latest data and science, images from major telescopes and spacecraft, geology, topography, physics, etc. as appropriate to the object.

The second part is of necessity be divided into categories according to the instrumentation available to an amateur astronomer. The following is typical, but will vary according to the subject of the book:

Binoculars or small telescope (up to 4-inch)

Mid-range telescope (up to 10-inch)

Large telescope (10-inch and up)

Each of these sections is to include locating the object or objects and the best times and places for observations. They will also include practical techniques for visual observing, and where appropriate for imaging with a 35mm or digital camera, and CCD imaging.