In the late '70s, I found inspiration in AstroCards by Kepple and Sanner, which led me to the idea of creating comprehensive observing guides for advanced deep-sky observers. By the early 2000s, I started compiling my "one stop shop" observing pages for my observing programs. I began with deep sky object catalogues like Hickson Compact Galaxy Groups and Abell Planetary Nebulae. Then I produced one for the Arop Pecular Galaxies. These guides included eyepiece renditions and observing notes for sale. Originally, I had planned to release guides for purchase for various deep sky catalogues, but the extensive time required for compiling my observing notes, sketches and then build the guide led me to offer the basic field observing guides for FREE to observers. I hope you find these guides useful and enjoyable in the field. Over the past two decades, I have dedicated my research to identifying fascinating catalogues for challenging deep sky objects to observe. While some catalogues offer a significant challenge to observers with 30" or larger telescopes, I have also developed field observing guides tailored to those with smaller to moderate apertures. For instance, individuals who have completed the Messier list can advance to the Herschel 400 list, which is well-suited for observers with telescopes as small as 6". This page contains Field Observing Guides encompassing a wide range of celestial objects, ensuring there is something of interest for every observer. The central idea behind the "one-stop shop" concept is to furnish observers with all the necessary information for locating and effectively observing the object through star hopping. Each page contains a naked-eye chart with a Telrad overlay centered on the object, in addition to a finder chart and a DSS image. I continue to use this method in my observing program, which is why I opt not to use digital setting circles (DSC) on my 22" reflector - I find it quicker to locate objects through star hopping. The observing guides here are designed to be used at the observing field and at the eyepiece. I regularly make additions, so be sure to check back periodically. Revisions are detailed at the back of each Observing Guide. Versions available PDF edition Click on the cover image on the left to download the PDF. Hard Copy Print Editions Most of these guides are available through my regular publisher at a nominal cost. They are provided for convenience as I realize that some do not have a laser printer, let alone a duplex printer. Or just don't want to bother printing the whole book and then taking it to a print shop to have it coil bound. Some are printed on standard paper and others are printed in coated 80# paper, which is a little nicer paper, but costs an average of $2 more. It is worth the extra. I am pleasantly surprised at my publisher's final price as it is less expensive than printing the whole thing at a print shop, color stock covers and then coil binding it. One observer noted that when he sent the 2013 OOTW to Kinko's and had them print them double-sided in black and white, then bound them with a clear cover on the front and black vinyl on the back. It cost him about $29! It is about half that from my publisher (data from 2013). Just another way of making them available for a modest cost to all. Hope that you feel that this option is valuable for you. Reminder: These print books are COIL-BOUND for ease of use at the telescope, especially those with large reflectors with ladders. They are "at the eyepiece" field guides, NOT armchair books. :)
If you feel led to support my efforts on creating and keeping the guides up to date, you can order them from my publisher by hitting the Print Version link throughout this page or the link herefor the entire listing of guides available. Each guide purchased sends a couple bucks my way for my efforts. I purposely kept it low as I do this a labor of love and for a way for you to support me.
Observing Extragalactic Objects
Within Host Galaxies - This
observing guide with 158 host
galaxies with observable extragalactic objects. Each
host galaxy has annotated extragalactic objects with
scholarship plus links to observing notes and sketches
from a few well known and skilled observers. Suggest a
16-inch or larger telescope to successfully observe
these objects. A very skilled observer can see some of
them with telescopes as small as 6 to 10 inches.
(357 pages, 33MB)
The
Herschel Objects
Observing Projects for
large telescopes (16 inches or larger) The
Vorontsov-Velyaminov Catalogue of Interacting
Galaxies (Part I) - Dr. Boris
Vorontsov-Velyaminov of Sternberg Astronomical
Institute, Moscow University, created this list of
interacting galaxies in 1959. A majority of the
systems were found on the POSS plates from the Palomar
48-inch Schmidt astrograph. The original Part I
list contained 355 systems, many of which are listed by
Dr. Halton Arp AFTER Dr. V-V did his list.
Note: This observing guide will contain only the
non-Arp VV objects as the Arp are covered in my
publication, “Observing the Arp Peculiar Galaxies”.
The
Vorontsov-Velyaminov Catalogue of Interacting
Galaxies (Part II) – This
catalogue consists of 497 objects created in 1976 as
Boris continued his work on interactive galaxies.
The list starts with VV 356 and ends with VV852.
Many of these
objects require a fairly large telescope (16 inches or
larger) (482 pages, 84MB) Print Version - Note: The
number of pages exceeds the limit for coil binding as it
would not fit even the largest coil. This print
version is available in paperback only.
Variable
Galaxies – A
selection of 60+ variable galaxies, most are observable
with a 20 inch telescope. This class of objects
includes BL Lacertae, Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), and
Optically Violent Variable quasars (OVV). (145 pages,
49MB) Print Version The Local
Group –Galaxies
within our celestial backyard. Some of the
Local Group members are close enough that you can see
some of their globular clusters, H-II regions, OB
associations, and open clusters. They are clearly
marked and offer a great challenge for those with large
telescopes. (84 pages, 46MB) Print Version
Flat
Galaxies - A
selection of 170+ Flat Galaxies from the Revised Flat
Galaxy Catalogue. Many are faint and require a
large telescope. I recommend a 12 inch or larger
scope to tackle the majority of objects in this
list. (201 pages, 74MB) Print Version (Printed on 80# coated paper)
The Rose
Catalogue of Compact Galaxies - Dr. James
A. Rose wrote a paper discussing a small selection of 33
northern and 5 southern very compact galaxy groups for
large telescopes. This list is considered to be a
bit more challenging than the Hickson Galaxy
Groups. Recommend 18
inch or larger scope as most are very small and
faint. All objects in this list are visible in the
spring months. (89 pages, 10MB) Print Version
16 inch or
larger scope is recommended. (431 pages, 46MB)
Print Version
Challenging
Observing Projects for very large telescopes (25
inches or larger)
Selected
Shakhbazian Galaxy Groups –
Very challenging compact galaxy groups, much more
challenging than the Hickson Compact Galaxy
Groups. Dr. Shakhbazian et al published a
list of 377 groups. 120+ brightest groups in
this guide.
The Palomar Compact Galaxy Catalogue - A select sampling of 60 of 459 compact groups. This list was created by Dr. Angela Iovino of Italy, using similar selection criteria as Hickson, Shakhbazian, and Rose in their respective projects. The criteria are a bit tighter and use an automated algorithm scanning POSS plates > 40 degrees from the galactic equator. This
list
is the ultimate compact galaxy list. All of them
are less than an arc minute. Think about it, 1 arc
minute is 60 arc seconds, meaning that many entire
Palomar Compact Galaxy groups would be covered by
Jupiter! (76 pages, 9MB) Print Version
Observing Projects for smaller telescopes (8 inches and up) Selected Small Galaxy Groups – Small Galaxy Groups inspired by the Astronomical League Galaxy Clusters Observing Club with some additional selections. 102 groups. 8 inch or larger scope. (221 pages, 44MB) Print Version (Printed on 80# coated paper)
Galaxy
Trios and Triple Systems – Galaxy
Trios inspired by Miles Paul’s list and by the
Astronomical League Galaxy Groups Observing Club.
But there are much more than the two original lists,
some very challenging for large telescopes such as my 30
inch reflector. 240+ trios and triple
systems. 8 inch or larger scope. (287 pages,
84MB) Print Version
(Printed on 80# coated paper)
Most are
observable with an 8 inch scope, while a few are
challenging in 30 inch and larger telescopes. (128
pages, 10MB) Print Version
Planetary
Nebulae and Supernovae Remnants- Planetary
nebulae, supernovae remnants, and protoplanetaries that
are observable above about -50° declination and
north. About 350+ objects were
included. Many stellar planetary nebulae were left
out. (337 pages, 80MB) Print Version Deep
Sky Forum Observing Guides Object of
the week 2012 - An
observing book/log comprising all of the 2012
'Object of the Week' as posted at Deep Sky Forum.
Members
chose and discussed a different object every week.
You'll find a great selection of objects varying in type
and difficulty. Many objects may require at least
an 18 inch telescope and dark skies. (140 pages, 12MB)
Print Version
Object of
the week 2013 - An
observing book and log comprising all of the 2013
'Object of the Week' plus selected objects from the Off
the Beaten Path forum as posted at Deep Sky Forum.
Members chose and discussed a different object every
week. You'll find a great selection of objects
varying in type and difficulty. (246 pages, 28MB)
Print Version Texas
Star Party Advanced Observing Guides Galaxy
Illusions (2013) - A handy
observing list for Larry Mitchell's and Jim Chandler's Texas Star Party Advanced
Observing List. Observe BOTH galaxies in at least
20 pairs to qualify for the pin. (42 pages, 4MB) Print Version
Seeing Red
(2014) - Observing
Guide for Larry Mitchell's Texas Star Party Advanced
Observing List. Observe at least 20 objects to
qualify for the pin. (42 pages, 4MB) Print Version Note: Some of
these documents are best printed on both sides of the
paper to maximize the usefulness on the field as the
two-page spreads are built to be used together. It
is best to coil bind the pages. Any business
printing business can do that for you. If you have good observations, feedback, or any other comments on these guides. Please email Alvin@faintfuzzies.com FaintFuzzies.com. All Rights Reserved. |
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