Annals of the Deep Sky vs Burnham's?

[pakarinen]

Thoughts on AoDS versus Burnham's?

I'm sure any photography / illustrations in Annals are much better than my half-century old Burnham's. Just wondering if the AoDS content is worth buying a set at $25 per volume when and if they're available. Better to pick and choose volumes with constellations of interest vs trying to get a complete set?

[Juno16]

Thanks for the reminder!!!

I 've wanted the Burnham series for quite awhile and just kept putting it off. Just ordered the three volumes from Thriftbooks (used paperbacks) for $18 including shipping. Finally!

[Lady Fraktor]

I have never looked at AODS but I love my Burnham.

[pakarinen]

Thanks for the reminder!!!

I 've wanted the Burnham series for quite awhile and just kept putting it off. Just ordered the three volumes from Thriftbooks (used paperbacks) for $18 including shipping. Finally!

Vols 1,2, and 3? Looks like you cleaned them out.

Please post your impressions of the content, format, etc. if you get a chance.

[Juno16]

Thanks for the reminder!!!

I 've wanted the Burnham series for quite awhile and just kept putting it off. Just ordered the three volumes from Thriftbooks (used paperbacks) for $18 including shipping. Finally!

Vols 1,2, and 3? Looks like you cleaned them out.

Please post your impressions of the content, format, etc. if you get a chance.

Wow! Good timing on your thread, thanks!

Will do.

[kt4hx]

Late to the chat. I have two sets of the Burnham series. Glad you finally got a set JIm and truly hope you like them. It has been quite some time since I've cracked mine open to be truthful, but am quite glad to have them. I also have volumes 1 through 8 of Annals. Honestly they are quite different, though on the surface one could get the idea they might be similar. Some would also toss the Night Sky Observing Guide series into the mix as well. While similar in nature, the three are different.

What I see as the main difference between Burnham's and Annals besides the much improved images and illustrations in Annals, plus updated and more scientific information, is in the writing and presentation. Burnham's is like observing with a good friend and discussing what you are seeing. Annals is more matter of fact, scientific and historical in nature. I honestly would not use either as an in the field observing guide, but certainly both could be used for planning. The NSOG is the closest to an actual observing guide by its structure, but is also a bit bulky to use in the field.

Again for myself I feel they all have a place in terms of reading and reference. I've read all eight of the Annals editions currently available. Again, I see them more as tools for planning, not really for field use. All are worthy of having on your bookshelf if you want them.

[pakarinen]

I'm inclined to order a few of each, but I think I'm close to the realm of:

Tsundoku (積ん読) - the phenomenon of acquiring reading materials but letting them pile up in one's home without reading them.

[Juno16]

I'm inclined to order a few of each, but I think I'm close to the realm of:

Tsundoku (積ん読) - the phenomenon of acquiring reading materials but letting them pile up in one's home without reading them.

I’ve got you there, but I haven’t had that happen with an astro book.
Really looking forward to receiving the Burnham series. It’s due to arrive on Monday.

[kt4hx]

I'm inclined to order a few of each, but I think I'm close to the realm of:

Tsundoku (積ん読) - the phenomenon of acquiring reading materials but letting them pile up in one's home without reading them.

I understand that realm! Most of my Annals were read while I was overseas on work related trips. Same when I used to subscribe to S&T and Astronomy magazines. They would pile up unread until I went on a trip. I always had other things to do at home it seemed. I have numerous books from Wilmann-Bell, most of which I have read cover to cover - but usually on a business trip. I have heard the 9th issue of Annals is completed, and its subject matter is the Magellanic Clouds. I haven't heard about its release however.

[pakarinen]

I've gotten in the habit of taking an astro book with me when I drive somewhere. My wife can spend an hour browsing in a grocery store, so I stay in the car and read. Actually, she doesn't like me "hovering" when she shops, so it works out well for both of us. Same thing with picking somebody up from the airport or an appointment or something.

I used to ride a train for my daily work commute and that was a great time to catch up on S&T and such, but those days are over, at least for now.

[kt4hx]

Yeah, I am now fully retired. My business travel overseas ceased when Covid hit hard, so I just fully retired and started taking my Social Security. Sometimes we choose our life changes, sometimes other things make the choice for us.

[Unitron48]

Burnham's is like observing with a good friend and discussing what you are seeing.

Absolutely agree! Burnham's is the best!!

Dave

[Juno16]

Yeah, I am now fully retired.

Me too for going on 4 years now ( retired at 63).
Absolutely love it. I just don’t see how I got so much done while I was working. Older and slower I guess.
I still feel like I’m getting a lot done thought!

[PeterD]

Burnham's, although outdated, is still the best. This reminds me I am yet to aquire volme two to complete the set.

[Juno16]

I just received Burnham’s Vols 2 & 3.
I was sent a different book instead of volume one by mistake. I just chatted with thrift books and they’re supposed to be sending me volume one free of charge.

My question to everyone out there that has read the Burnham series. Do I really need the start at volume one, or can I start looking at volume two right away?

Thank all!

[pakarinen]

IMO, you can start anywhere. You can figure out the codes and symbols pretty easily.

[Juno16]

IMO, you can start anywhere. You can figure out the codes and symbols pretty easily.

Much appreciated!

Looking forward to taking a look soon.

[AstroBee]

I have so many books sitting on my shelves collecting dust as they are. Including a complete mint set of Burnhams Handbooks, TWO sets of Uranometria 2000...both Northern & Southern Hemispheres. I also have The Revised New General Catalogue of Nonstellar Astronomical Objects by Jack Sulentic & William Tifft. I'm thinking with a bit of arm twisting and the right offer I would part with any or all of them.

[pakarinen]

I have so many books sitting on my shelves collecting dust as they are. [...] I'm thinking with a bit of arm twisting and the right offer I would part with any or all of them.

I'd sell some of my little used books like Seronik's Bino Highlights, but they're available used for such a low price that it wouldn't be worth the effort to box and ship them. (Although I did just see that Seronik is listed on AMZ for $2,355. WTH?) Or I could take them to Half Price Books and get a buck a piece maybe if I'm lucky.

Might be worth it if I bundled my Seronik, Moore, and Harrington books together...