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Messier Astrophotography Reference Paperback – November 13, 2013

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 134 ratings

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The Messier objects are some of the brightest and most well-defined objects in the night sky, and the place where most budding astronomers and astrophotographers get their first experience. Capturing images of these objects, while easier than most of the other night sky objects, can still present challenges to the person just starting out in astrophotography. Every object can be wildly different with differing exposures, different times of the year it is visible, and different sizes. Where do you start?

From the author of
Getting Started: Long Exposure Astrophotography and Getting Started: Budget Astrophotography comes a book specifically aimed at helping beginning astrophotographers in North America capture some or all of the Messier objects.

Finally, here is one resource you can use on your desk or take into the field providing information specific to capturing each Messier object, or all 110 of them, in photographs. No other book includes this much information specifically aimed at the beginning astrophotographer.

From objects that can be easily captured with just a few images and nothing but a DSLR camera, to objects that can use hundreds of images of different exposures grouped and stretched separately, this book covers them all giving you differing approaches and showing you what you can expect to get from using the author's techniques.

For each Messier object, this book includes:
  • The Messier number and name
  • A finished image of the object
  • A graphic showing the best time of the year to image the object
  • Graphics showing the approximate size of the object in three different scopes
  • A short description of the object
  • Coordinates of the object
  • Detailed notes on imaging the object
  • A star chart showing the object's location

Originally written to be used with the author's book
Getting Started: Long Exposure Astrophotography, this book concentrates on the objects themselves with some specific tips to image them, particularly with a DSLR. Even with a different type of camera the tips and information presented in this book are an invaluable resource when imaging the Messier objects.

Shooting the Messier objects is a fantastic way to start or continue your astrophotography pursuits, and this book will help make that experience easier and more enjoyable.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you are just starting out in astrophotography you need this book (as well as Getting Started: Budget Astrophotography)." - Michael L. Weasner - Weasner's Mighty ETX Website, Cassiopeia Observatory

From the Back Cover

From the author of Getting Started: Long Exposure Astrophotography and Getting Started: Budget Astrophotography comes a book specifically aimed at helping beginning astrophotographers in North America capture some, or all of the Messier objects.

Finally, here is one resource you can use on your desk or take into the field providing information on each Messier object, the best time of year to shoot it, approximation of size of the object in your final photo, shoot notes, star charts and more. To help you identify your targets and process your images each object is accompanied by a photo of what you can realistically expect to accomplish at the beginner to intermediate level.

Originally written to be used with the author's book
Getting Started: Long Exposure Astrophotography, this book concentrates on the objects themselves with some specific tips to image them, particularly with a DSLR.

Shooting the Messier objects is a fantastic way to start or continue your astrophotography pursuits, and this book can help make that experience easier and more enjoyable.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (November 13, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 356 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1493766414
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1493766413
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.36 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 0.81 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 134 ratings

About the author

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Allan Hall
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Allan Hall is an information technology specialist, photographer, amateur astronomer/astrophotographer, and published writer born in Spartanburg, South Carolina and raised in Huntsville, Texas. He has worked in information technology since 1981, has worked as a part time photographer since 1985 and started his own commercial photography business in 2010. These endeavors gave him the technical-writing and photographic skills he needed to share his passions with others.

Allan has published several books, including "Getting Started: Long Exposure Astrophotography", "Getting Started: Budget Astrophotography", "Getting Started: Visual Astronomy", "Messier Astrophotography Reference" and the bestselling "Getting Started: Using an Equatorial Telescope Mount." His images, books, and articles have been featured on TV, in radio, and in both print and online publications.

In his spare time, Allan enjoys a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities, such as cycling, collecting fountain pens, fencing, and amateur radio. He has been a long-time member of the North Houston Astronomy Club, the Astronomical League, and the Huntsville Amateur Astronomical Society as well as being a member of the United States Fencing Association. He and his wife since 1989, Sue Ann, enjoy caring for the cats they have rescued over the years and driving their MINI Coopers.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
134 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book a useful reference for finding and photographing deep sky objects. They appreciate the well-written writing style and find it a good read. However, some customers feel the grayscale photos lack color and are dated.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

20 customers mention "Information quality"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for finding and photographing deep space objects. It provides useful information and tips for astroimaging Messier objects. The photographs show what is possible for an amateur. The book also serves as a starting point for astroimaginging, with tips on how to get the best results including protocol. Overall, it's a terrific guide for planning deep space targets on a calendar basis.

"Answered alot of my questions, very informative." Read more

"...size references based on three common scopes, and the recommendations on how to photograph. Nice. Seriously...." Read more

"...He is a fountain of knowledge and has a way of writing & communicating that knowledge and all his years of experience to a level that the beginner..." Read more

"...hints, techniques and methods that I've employed and found to be very useful...." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing style"8 positive2 negative

Customers find the writing style engaging and well-written. They describe it as a good read with an informative approach. However, some readers feel the text print looks acceptable, while others think the format appears rough.

"...He is a fountain of knowledge and has a way of writing & communicating that knowledge and all his years of experience to a level that the beginner..." Read more

"Very good book. I wish I had this one before I ordered eyepieces. I plan on hooking up a cell phone that has the option of longer..." Read more

"Well written, as a handy reference book, especially for beginning to intermediate skill level astrophotographers...." Read more

"this is a good read" Read more

4 customers mention "Color accuracy"0 positive4 negative

Customers are disappointed with the grayscale photos and dated images in the book. They find the color lacks vibrancy and leaves them unsatisfied.

"Probably it's the lack of color, but this book left me flat. I do have other books by this author, and I've enjoyed them very much...." Read more

"...Text print looks ok, but format also looks like rough draft. Photos are grayscale (if it's supposed to be then ok, but was hoping for color)...." Read more

"The illustrations and photos leave something to be desired. I don't remember seeing many if any color photos of the Messiers" Read more

"Has the necessary information to pass muster, but a lot of the images are very dated." Read more

Did I receive a draft print?
2 out of 5 stars
Did I receive a draft print?
Hoping that I received a draft copy by mistake, as the Star charts are barely readible, as if printed in low quality. Text print looks ok, but format also looks like rough draft. Photos are grayscale (if it's supposed to be then ok, but was hoping for color). As a reference, grayscale is not a big deal.See attached photos.If the star charts weren't so poorly printed I would give much better review. Hoping to return for a better print and will correct this review if the quality is reasonable.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2023
    Answered alot of my questions, very informative.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2019
    Honestly, I really did get a lot of info out of this book. Obviously actual photos of each object was great, as was the size references based on three common scopes, and the recommendations on how to photograph. Nice. Seriously. That said, I personally could have done without the subjective descriptions of how boring several of the objects were to the author. Yes, it is his opinion, and his work, however it took away much of the enjoyment I expected to get from this book. Put another way, if I want someone's opinion there are plenty astronomy forums I can go to. I hope this doesn't take the joy out of other new astrophotographers anxious to get their eyes on the Messier objects.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2022
    I’ve read every one of Alan’s books on Astrophotography and I highly recommend them. He is a fountain of knowledge and has a way of writing & communicating that knowledge and all his years of experience to a level that the beginner can understand. Some of his books I keep with me in the field for reference and refer to them often. His books are filled with examples and photos and what not to do’s. You get way more then what it cost and in todays world that is not a small thing. Thanks Alan for teaching me so much!
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2023
    Explica para cada objeto mesier la exposicion procesado apilamiento y telescopio sugerido para tomar un buena foto. Es muy util como una guia basica.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2018
    Very good book. I wish I had this one before I ordered eyepieces. I plan on hooking up a cell phone that has the option of longer (like 10 sec. exposures) to the eyepieces. I have an F4.9 12 inch scope with eyepieces including a 56mm (26.1X) and am hopping to get some OK pictures. I don't have an equatorial mount, but hopefully I can see something that resembles a nebula. If not, might have to get one years from now when I have the money.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2014
    Probably it's the lack of color, but this book left me flat. I do have other books by this author, and I've enjoyed them very much. However, they are not centered solely around visual objects, as this one is. Budget Astrophotography and Long Exposure Astrophotography, both have hints, techniques and methods that I've employed and found to be very useful. Budget AP, as you might have imagined, has a lot of lower cost options, ones that work, ones that you can employ while you build your AP dream machine.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2014
    Very useful information for each individual object. A good starting place for astroimaging. The photographs show what is possible for an amateur
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2014
    Well written, as a handy reference book, especially for beginning to intermediate skill level astrophotographers. Now I can make better judgements in advance about what are the appropriate targets for my imaging system, for a given time of the year. The simple calendar bar graph and triple aperture comparison chart, for each object are particularly useful. This is a terrific guide for planning deep space targets on a calendar basis. There is useful guidance on exposure and iso settings for each object, as well. This saves me considerable trial and error grief. I recommend this book for any photographer interested in exploring the 110 deep space objects covered.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Piotr
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must to have for beginners (but not only for them)
    Reviewed in Poland on February 9, 2024
    An excellent book for people starting their adventure with astrophotography. Each object from the Messier catalog described, shown on the sky map, indicated when it is best time to observe or photograph it. But what is particularly valuable for beginners is the approximate size at the picture taken with a DSLR, sample exposure parameters (number of taken photos, ISO, exposure time) and suggestions for processing. I strongly recommend this book.
  • Dr. Georg N. Nyman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interessant und informativ
    Reviewed in Germany on January 5, 2020
    Eine sehr gute Zusammenstellung der Messier Objekte - so gut, dass ich sie jetzt mir auch als haptisches Buch kaufen werde - vorerst habe ich sie nur als Kindle gekauft..
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars It's a good book for beginner
    Reviewed in Canada on August 6, 2017
    It's a good book for beginner, I like to see more detail in taking and development for the object to be photoed.
  • janene
    4.0 out of 5 stars great reference
    Reviewed in Australia on April 9, 2023
    Loved the info provided, bit of history and useful info as a newbie on the messier objects, plenty of tips and tricks... the thing that remarkably lets this otherwise great book down, is black and white plates!!! The only colour is on the cover - I would actually purchase this book again, if done with some colour in there! There is value in the B&W, of course, but, Alan.... colour too please!!
  • Johan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Très complet
    Reviewed in France on May 9, 2018
    L'auteur du livre présente l'intégralité des objets messiers par ordre croissant (M1, M2,...). Pour chaque objet présenté, le livre aborde la période d'observation favorable, la taille de l'objet en fonction de votre matériel ainsi que la méthode pour prendre cet objet en photo (sensibilité ISO, vitesse, nombre de pose...).
    Si vous cherchez un beau livre sur papier glacé avec des photos en couleur alors passez votre chemin. Si par contre vous souhaitez un livre très complet et pratique alors je vous le recommande.