Here the reader will find the first extensive listing of Bright and Dark Nebulae for the entire sky attempted in one easy to use resource. The author will take the reader on an observer friendly tour of the night sky in easy to handle amounts divided into the well known constellations that will allow observers the opportunity to become acquainted with each object discussed. One of the revelations provided is that any telescope will work in this effort as long as the observer is able to obtain a significantly dark observing site. Small Rich Field Telescopes work better on the many large faint objects that are discussed, while larger telescopes can then apply their light gathering abilities on the smaller faint objects that are discussed. One of the advantages of the book is that the observer will gain the all important knowledge of how to apply instrumentation to gain the best views of each object they wish to see, since the ultimate goal of the present work is to help each observer to be able to see each of these formidable Bright and Dark Nebulae for themselves. Coverage of this topic is currently lacking in the market in that the statement can be made that it has never been attempted on this level of extensive coverage over the entire sky before. Along with research that covers the full history of the field and most significantly the important professional efforts of the last century, the author brings before the reader the information needed to be able to observe these elusive targets. This also includes the added resource of the author's own images in a "Through the Eyepiece" collection where the images were obtained in the revolutionary short time of 0.15 seconds just to allow the reader to see that, though these objects are supposedly difficult, they are obviously more easily observable than many have claimed. The goal of the author is to attempt to instill in the reader an attitude that each observer when armed with appropriate knowledge and relatively inexpensive equipment in a dark sky can be successful in observing these targets with pleasure. The book includes many helpful diagrams, photographs and helpful hints to make each observational outing the fun adventure that it is meant to be.
About the Author: Prof. Richard P. Wilds Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab url: http: //iota.jhuapl.edu/watts.htm Mr. Wilds began his early publication efforts writing general articles for Deep Sky Monthly on the topics of observing star clusters, nebulae and galaxies for a general readership. Later Mr. Wilds turned his efforts to the publication of more scientifically technical articles for professional readers through such publications as Astronomy and Astrophysics on the topics of Solar System research such as mapping the Marginal Zone of the Moon, mapping asteroids and improving the Ephemerids of the moons of the outer Solar System. These activities allowed Mr. Wilds the opportunity to work in worldwide scientific efforts with such organizations as the Bureau des Longitudes, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the Institut de Mecanique Celeste, Paris, France. He has worked on the Galileo Mission to Jupiter and the Cassini Mission to Saturn and allowed NASA to save precious fuel in its exploration of Jupiter, Saturn and their moons. All of these projects have been noted in publications - i.e. The Occultation Newsletter, The Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series and the Annual Report of The International Lunar Occultation Centre from Tokyo, Japan as well as others and led to Mr. Wilds' election to the American Astronomical Society - Division for Planetary Sciences and Historical Astronomy Division. Some of his work is found in the Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers, edited by Dr. Thomas Hockey and published by Springer in 2007 and 2014. Mr. Wilds was awarded the 2017 Donald E. Osterbrock Book Prize, for his contributions to the BEA by the American Astronomical Society, Historical Astronomy Division. Throughout this time Mr. Wilds has held various collegiate level Adjunct Instructor positions that have included teaching classes in History, Astronomy and Education.