Galaxies and How to Observe Them

Galaxies, Cluster of Galaxies, and their Data.- Galaxies, Cluster of Galaxies & their data.- Pairs, Groups, and Clusters of Galaxies.- Catalogs, Data, and Nomenclature.- Technical Aspects on Observing Galaxies.- Accessories and Optical Quantities.- Theory of Visual Observation.- Observing, Recording, & Processing.- What to Observe? - The Objects.- Observing Programs.- Individual Objects.- Groups and Clusters of Galaxies.- Odd Stuff.

Wolfgang Steinicke: I've been a visual observer since I was 10. I started early to collect literature and data on various deep-sky objects (Messier, NGC, and IC), especially galaxies. My preference for science led me to study physics and mathematics in Aachen and Freiburg, Germany, later specialising in relativistic astrophysics and general relativity.

Since 1976 I'm a member of several astronomical organisations. In 1984 an amateur observatory was build on the Schauinsland near Freiburg at 1250 m. With its 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain, and now complimented with a 20" Dobsonian, I have observed a wide variety of deep sky objects including galaxies, quasars and groups of galaxies. I have also published observing catalogues of the latter classes ("Catalogue of Bright Quasars and BL Lacertae Objects" and "Catalogue of Galaxy Groups"). My long-term interest in deep sky data led to the compilation of the "Revised New General and Index Catalogue", first published in 1996.

At present I'm a staff member of the "Institute for the History of Science" at Hamburg University, Fellow of the "Royal Astronomical Society" (F.R.A.S.), council member of the "Webb Deep Sky Society" (and director of the "Nebulae & Cluster" section), core team member of the international "NGC/IC Project", head of the section "Geschichte der Astronomy" of the German "Vereinigung der Sternfreunde" (being also their vice-president), member of the "Arbeitskreis Astronomiegeschichte" of the "Astronomische Gesellschaft", editor of the "Journal für Astronomie", and editorial staff member of the magazine "Interstellarum". I'm author of many papers in German and international magazines, of the "Praxishandbuch Deep Sky" (Kosmos) and the monograph "Extragalactic Objects Discovered as Variable Stars" (published by the Webb Deep Sky Society).

Rich Jakiel: My interest in astronomy dates back to my youth in the 1960's, as I had a keen interest in the race to the Moon. Under the dark skies of Western New

From the reviews:"The Springer series Astronomers' Observing Guides is a bit of a mixed-bag, with some books much better than others; this is certainly one of the better ones. ... The book is well illustrated with images of galaxies, many in colour ... . Numerous references are given; in fact there are more references in this book than in many academic ones. In summary, this is an excellent book which I have no hesitation in recommending. Even experienced observers will find much useful information in its pages." (Stewart L. Moore, The Observatory, Vol. 127 (1200), October, 2007)"This guide for amateur astronomers is one in a series of 'Astronomers' Observing Guides.' ... The text contains a wealth of detailed information valuable to the serious amateur ... . The appendix gives useful lists of books, magazines, sky mapping software, Internet databases and links, as well as footnoted references. Many of the beautiful color photographs used throughout were taken with some of the world's best telescopes ... . Summing Up: Recommended. General readers." (M. Dickinson, CHOICE, Vol. 44 (11), July, 2007)