Cometography: Volume 6, 1983–1993
A Catalog of Comets
David A J Seargent author Gary W Kronk author Maik Meyer author
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
Published:20th Apr '17
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This final volume of Cometography details every comet observed from 1983 to 1993, providing essential information for astronomers and historians.
The sixth and final volume of Cometography offers a comprehensive overview of every comet observed between 1983 and 1993. This volume meticulously details their brightness, physical characteristics, and orbital paths. It serves as a crucial resource for both amateur and professional astronomers, as well as historians of science, completing a multi-volume catalog that spans from ancient times to the 1990s.
Cometography stands out as a definitive reference, utilizing the most accurate orbital data to determine key distances from Earth and the Sun at the time of each comet's discovery and last observation. The book also provides insights into the comets' angular distances, declinations, and closest approaches to Earth, which aids readers in visualizing each comet's physical appearance.
In Volume 6, the comets are organized chronologically, accompanied by thorough references to relevant publications and descriptions of their development during each apparition. This final installment encapsulates the essence of the entire series, making it an invaluable addition to the libraries of astronomers and science historians alike. By documenting the comets of this decade, Cometography ensures that the legacy of these celestial phenomena is preserved for future generations.
'For anyone interested in a specific cometary appearance, from the dawn of time up to AD 1993, the Cometography series of books has become a reliable and essential 'first stop' in the hunt for details. There is a minimum of a page of text on each comet. Orbital parameters are recorded as well as the heliocentric and geocentric distances and solar elongations of the first and last sightings. The constellations the comet passes through are also listed as is the comet's absolute magnitude. What I appreciated most were the detailed blow-by-blow observations … [The author's] love of comets leaps from every page of this series of books and his dedication, thoroughness, accuracy, hard work, and clarity of prose is greatly appreciated.' David W. Hughes, The Observatory
Review of previous volume: '… a valuable reference for scientists and historians in many fields.' Choice
Review of previous volume: '… a treasure trove of information and each entry stands on its own.' Journal of the British Astronomical Association
Review of previous volume: 'Cometography has been beautifully produced, and it is a thorough, definitive, well referenced, comprehensive, and easily accessible work of scholarship. For historians, scientific or otherwise, this will be a 'first stop' for information about ancient comets. Looking into the future, it will be a rare month that I will not refer to it.' David W. Hughes, The Observatory
Review of previous volume: 'This marvellous book was clearly a labour of love. It is a treasure, and will be appreciated for much longer than the [period] it covers.' New Scientist
Review of previous volume: '… sure to become the standard cometary reference source … Every library with a comet section should invest in the Cometography series. Congratulations to Gary W. Kronk on a lifetime of scholarly achievement.' Contemporary Physics
Review of previous volume: 'An ambitious attempt to catalogue all recorded comets through history … the sheer volume of information contained in this book [makes it] a very useful work of reference.' Geological Magazine
Review of previous volume: '… an indispensable reference for historians, comet researchers, and true enthusiasts of the field … the book's value is inestimable and I can only give [it] my highest praise.' Sky and Telescope
ISBN: 9780521872164
Dimensions: 260mm x 187mm x 40mm
Weight: 1890g
856 pages