The 100 Best Astrophotography Targets: A Monthly Guide for CCD Imaging with Amateur Telescopes (The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series)

There are a lot of books about astrophotography, and a lot more books with collections of objects to view through a telescope. But this book is one of the rare books that concentrates on objects from the perspective of an astrophotographer. Most astrophotographers stick to targets from the classic object lists by Charles Messier and William Herschel. But photography is a different discipline than observation. So the classic lists include non-photogenic objects and they miss some hard-to-view objects that are great for an imager. Ruben Kier delivers each target with three essential, but succinct, pieces: 1) the background information about the object, 2) advice on the techniques for image capture, and 3) tips for image processing. Each target treatment includes one or more photos by the author along with his imaging details. The images are excellent without being extravagant or intimidating. His processing touch is productive but gentle and the results look very real. The photo reproduction in the book is very well done by the printer so you can appreciate the quality of the original. These aren't just targets in the sky: Ruben's images are targets for aspiring imagers to match. The main section of the book holds the target information. The slimmer Section 2 includes include three short chapters on astrophotography equipment, imaging techniques and the complex process of image post-processing. This section is presented as a gateway to further investigation and isn't a replacement for dedicated books on these three subjects. The book is a valuable tool for planning and processing your images. But it's not a "field book". The perfect binding and non-laminated pages aren't built for dew-y outdoor use. However, the octavo size is very portable for imaging roadtrips. This is a "don't leave home without it" book. The book is organized for the convenience of the reader: The imaging targets are presented by the date they appear on the meridian at 9pm local standard time. By then it's dark and the scope has (hopefully) cooled to ambient temperature. Published in 2009, the book's hardware and software references are limited by that date. For example, the Section 2 discussion on focusing techniques includes basic focusing masks, but not the more recent slew of diffraction focusing tools (eg, Bahtinov). Hardware and software enumerations have unavoidably short shelf life. But luckily for imagers, the astronomy targets in the book have indefinite "use by" dates. A final observation: The promised "100 targets" actually includes 109 objects by my count. That number is the number of objects in the Messier list (and the Caldwell list and the O'Meara list). Coincidence? If you are a beginning or intermediate imager, this is a book you should have. In its narrative and photos, it's the answer to a lot of your questions. I expect many productive years from the book.

I have had this books since early last year - I am finally sitting down to write a review as recently my wife misplaced this book while organizing the house. After 2 weeks without, I was about re-order when we managed to find the place it had been put. I had meaning to write a review for a while - this incident served to reinforce how useful this book has been to me. I image with a 4" refractor and a DSLR (though will likely make the switch to mono CCD in the near future, which will make this book even more useful). I am fairly new to this hobby, and this book has been invaluable as a guide to framing, FOV and scope/sensor combinations, what to image when, etc. There is a good representation of images taken with small, medium, and long focal length scopes. I often use this book for ideas on what/how to image, then use a planetarium program (Stellarium in my case) to check framing and FOV with my specific equipment. While it is true that some objects really require long focal lengths to bring out, the author does a good job suggesting possibilities for alternate framings with shorter focal lengths where this makes sense for the target. I don't have a long focal length scope, and don't feel that this book is any less valuable because of this. I would recommend it to anyone involved in astrophotography. A few minor suggestions (from the "more of a good thing" department): 5 years after it's publishing, the list of common CCD chips used feels a little bit dated, and a welcome add would be some material on narrowband imaging. Processing has also advanced a bit since the book was published, with more HDR tools available, etc. None of these hurt the value of the book, but I would definitely purchase an updated edition.

I bought this book as soon as it came out so I've had it for several months now. It has become a sort of companion and I really don't know of any other book arranged this way, and I have to say it is fantastic!. It is all meat and potatoes, no fluff or filler. And what is that? Extremely useful information stem to stern on a month by month listing of objects hopefully (depending on where you live) above the 2x airmass needed for good imaging. Gives all the stuff you want to know, scope used, exposure time, imager used, processing techniques - and best of all these are all done at medium exposure times so no 30 minute sub exposures (and the $$ mounts needed to do it) to get similar results. If you are new to imaging and want a fantastic book to get you started, this is a great choice. I think if you get this book, your imaging ability will will be greatly enhanced and you'll see why it's getting these great reviews. Although calibrating, stacking, SNR, ... 'processing images' is a theater all it's own - too often it's time spent on one object only to find on others a very different proceedure required. Here you have a fantastic array of objects with all that needed processing information in one concise and easily referenced volume. After a few months with this book you'll feel much more at home in this imaging arena and whtever you use, will start to appreciate just what a gem this little book is. Highest recommendation, I think this is a sort of instant classic of this literature.

If you are looking for a decent DS CCD photography workshop/calendar, this is what you are looking for. The book starts out with some basics about astro photograpy and CCD imaging and moves on to a little equipment guide, covering mounts, OTA's, CCD camera's and autoguiding for Astro photography. The photographs clearly depict the objects without having used a 5 figure mount / OTA. So one can work on a similar/better result including some guidance on framing, darks, flats and exposure times. All objects have a description with their history, designations, RA and DEC, MAG, Size and constellation. Furthermore the pictures include the imaging device used, Telescope, FOV, Exposures, scale and limiting magnitude. Loving it!

This book is an extremely useful "annual guide" for beginner astrophotographers (like me). The structure of the description of targets is absolutely the best way to share the most important information with readers (in five small sections: target data, exposure data and verbal description of target features, imaging and processing activities). Additionally, the elementary know-how of astrophotography is efficiently summarized in the last chapters of the book. (If any of us wants to have deeper and more sophisticated knowledge of image-processing, there are a lot of very good books on the market specialized it that topic.) If you want to take pretty shots about the nicest celestial bodies of the sky, you can do it in any period of the year without time consuming fumbling and testing. I can feel just one slight "bottle neck" (maybe, it would mean some improvement for the second edition): what a difference can be seen on the same target using different cameras. The author used only two types of cameras during imaging; both of them are from SBIG. In this way, it is not possible to demonstrate the difference in the capabilities of several CCD cameras from low-end types via midrange to high-end types as well as DSLRs. This "CCD-test" was not the goal of this book, it is obvious, but it could have been a secondary but, at the same time, very useful "added value" mainly for beginners who are the vast part of the readers I think... (Maybe CCD producers could sponsor the book...) All in all, this is a fantastic guide for astrophotography, it is no doubt. I can only recommend it to enthusiastic amateurs without hesitation.

My nightly work flow begins with this book. Just like my Messier project, I have the Kier project where I am photographing each object outlined here. Dr Kier makes it easy by listing his top picks by month. It's now February so I will be going after his ten listed clusters and nebulae. Each object description starts by an introduction to the details of the target, followed by how to ideally image it, and then a note on processing. A very nice color photograph of the object that he imaged is next, and he concludes by detailing his equipment and exposures. The narrative is succinct and chock full of needed details so you can start your project with no wasted time. It is clear that he is an experienced astrophotographer, however beginners like me can easily hone their skills by taking on these targets. More advanced hobbyists will appreciate the tips on processing which are often lacking in other texts. The quality of this paperback is excellent. I have used it many, many times, and it is holding up to my frequent reference. If I were to lose this book, I would purchase another, In fact I did. I lost my first one in a move and was excited to see that it was still available.

There are a large number of 5 star reviews here for a reason - this is a great book I come back to time and again. The deep space targets in this book are arranged by date of transit, so as you thumb the pages you can also be developing an imaging plan. Targets cover the very small to very large - there is something for everyone. Roughly 1/3 are wide-field targets best imaged with a camera lens, 1/3 medium sized targets for an APO refractor, and 1/3 are small targets best imaged using a long focal length scope. Not only is each target discussed in terms of imaging, but also in terms of processing. Is the target good for One-shot color cameras or DSLRs? It's covered! Which filters work best? Covered! On top of everything else, at the end of the book is a brief guide to basic processing techniques I found helpful. Bottom line, I look through this book at least once a week. I've found 2 dozen targets to image and I'm enjoying getting out of the Messier collection into other challenges because of this book.

Out of several hundred texts in my astronomy library, Kier's work is among the top ten titles. The book is dog-eared and loaded with sticky notes from continued use in the field. The work is very well organized and the author's comments and suggestions offered in a compact and insightful manner based on hundreds of hours devoted to imaging the objects presented. This book should be a mainstay for the beginning imager and the most experienced astrophotographers alike. Particularly appreciated are the recommendations for both RGB and single-shot color techniques. Kier anticipated the growth and increasing sophistication of single-shot color sensors even though the guide was written in 2009. Don't let the publication date deter you from purchasing this book--it remains relevant, although it would be great to see what the author could come up with in a second edition. More than anything, Kier's how-to guide is a cookbook for imagers, with every 2-3 pages providing the recipes needed to produce solid results. Great concept, great book.

Von allen Büchern, die ich über Astrofotografie besitze, wird dieses mit Abstand am meisten von mir gebraucht. Der Aufbau ist klar und übersichtlich mit vielen schönen stimulierenden Astrofotos. Für jeden Monat werden lohnende Objekte vorgeschlagen. Jedes mit Farbabbildung und Angaben über die verwendete Ausrüstung. Das hat mir z.B. sehr geholfen, eine Entscheidung für mein erstes Teleskop zu treffen. Als "Bonus" bietet das Buch nach der Beschreibung der ganzen Objekte 3 weitere Kapitel, in denen auf 50 Seiten kurz und knapp auf Ausrüstung, Aufnahmetechnik und Bildbearbeitung eingegangen wird. Sehr gut verständlich und ohne zu sehr mit Theorie überladen zu sein. Für mich genau der richtige Mittelweg zwischen Bildband und Theorie-Handbuch. Nur zur Sicherheit: Das Buch ist in Englisch geschrieben.

I'm pretty happy with this. Great selection of targets for imaging. Helpful technical info on exposure ISO settings. I would purchase again.

21時頃に南中する日付順に編集されていて、「とりあえず今日はこれを見よう」という気にさせてくれます。口径10〜20センチクラスのアマチュア用望遠鏡で撮影できる天体ばかりで、撮影対象選びにも便利です。フレーム数として100天体となっていますが、１フレームに2個以上の天体が含まれた構図が多く、それぞれの天体の説明と画像もありますので、オブジェクト数としては200個ほどあるのではないかと思います。

L'ouvrage, en anglais, présente un choix de 100 cibles privilégiées pour l'astrophotographie. Les cibles présentées sont ventilées par date de passage au méridien à 21h00 (ou 22h00 heure d'été). La sélection proposée comporte 48 objets de Messier, 28 objets de Caldwell et 13 objet de la liste de Stephen 'O'Meara. Les objets ont été retenus en fonction de leurs caractéristiques propres (luminosité, taille, photographiable aisément depuis l'hémisphère nord). Chaque objet proposé est couvert par deux pages au minimum, dont une photographie couleur pleine page. L'autre page comporte une description sommaire de l'objet, des conseils de prise de vue et des conseils de traitement de l'image. On y trouve également les modalités de prise de vue de la photographie (les photos sont majoritairement faites avec une caméra CCD monochrome). L'ouvrage est intéressant pour le débutant, car il permet d'avoir rapidement une idée d'objets "simples" à photographier, selon la date à laquelle on se situe.

Muy buen libro para los que les gusta fotografiar el cielo