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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
The three volume "Burnham's Celestial Handbook" series provides a constellation based, detailed and comprehensive guide to tens of thousands of celestial objects outside our solar system. The information presented includes: definitions, names, historical background, coordinates, classifications, physical descriptions, maps, charts, sketches, and observing guides. All told in an engaging manner.
The series became an instant success with amateur astronomers, and remained so for decades. While it is now dated, it is still a popular source of information.
Volume Two lists the constellations from Chamaeleon to Orion.
The series became an instant success with amateur astronomers, and remained so for decades. While it is now dated, it is still a popular source of information.
Volume Two lists the constellations from Chamaeleon to Orion.
652 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1978
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.
April 28, 2012
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