Books by Stephen James O'Meara

The bright galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae catalogued in the late 1700s by the famous comet hunter Charles Messier are still the most widely observed celestial wonders in the sky. The second edition of Stephen James O'Meara's acclaimed observing guide to the Messier Objects features improved star charts for helping you find the objects, a much more robust telling of the history behind their discovery - including a glimpse into Messier's fascinating life - and updated astrophysical facts to put it all into context. These additions, along with new photos taken with the most advanced amateur telescopes, bring O'Meara's first edition more than a decade into the twenty-first century. Expand your universe and test your viewing skills with this truly modern Messier guide. It is a must for all budding night watchers.

This useful guide for amateur astronomers takes readers on a celestial journey to many of the most prominent stars and constellations visible from mid-northern latitudes. A great first-time reference, this book will help beginning stargazers become familiar with the stars and constellations visible from their backyards through inexpensive, handheld binoculars.