The Astronomical Companion

About this book

This is a great resource for either the beginning hobbyist or the well-experienced professional. Ottewell is a master geometer and the crown jewel of the book is his series of drawings showing in great detail the structure of the Universe from a larger and larger perspective. Each sphere has a small sphere drawn in the center which represents the previous sphere. Each drawing also labels the well-known objects which we can see from Earth. Some unusual features include a distance-scale chart a treatment of the difference between the actual and the apparent a discussion of the various planes used to chart the sky and he also does a wonderful job covering comets asteroids and other transitory phenomena. An exemplary book; if you like astronomy this one is essential as it offers a wonderfully accurate perspective. ( Amazon customer)