Deep-Sky Companions: The Secret Deep

Excellent book! The Deep Sky Companion Series of books are must-haves for anyone doing anything from casual to serious observing. As well as the series being well written and informative, the selection of objects the author chooses is top-notch and "The Secret Deep" is no exception.A wonderful addition Deep to the Sky Companion Series of books, and to observing guides in general!

As a Seattle area residents it is not often that we can appreciate the night sky thru our 8 inch SCT so Steve's book provides some excellent opportunities to enjoy what the sky has in store for us when it is very clear. We have just started using this book but our reading of it is exciting and challenging.

This is the fourth volume of what has become a series: Deep Sky Companions. The previous 3 volumes covered the "Messier Objects in the first volume, and the so-called "Caldwell Objects" in volume two. I have not yet read volume three, "Hidden Treasures," but after this volume "The Secret Deep," be assured that the third volume will be purchased shortly.I gave this particular work only 4 stars...not for any lack in Mr. O'Meara's writing skills, but the object selection is tending towards "lame," to use a phrase from my young son. The number of interesting astronomical objects capable of being dredged up in a small (in this case a 5" refractor)telescope is reaching a point of diminishing return, especially if one does not have the pristine skies of the island of Hawaii! That said, I have observed numerous objects listed in the book. Some of the open star clusters aren't what one would call "spectacular" to say the least, but the selection of planetary nebulae and globular clusters is wonderful. I've viewed many of these on my own over the past 10 years.The format is excellent, and the finding directions...adequate. These are not easy astronomical objects to find and observe in many cases. That said, I would still recommend the purchase of this volume by any serious backyard astronomer. It's always nice to have new horizons to follow, and many of the listed objects have been added to my "to do" list. For those without pristine skies, a larger aperture telescope would be nearly a "must."

Stephen James O'Meara is perhaps the best writer on the subject since Robert Burnham(Celestial Handbook). His prose like style is unequaled, and his research into each object makes it a wealth of information. I was not too crazy about his first three books(The Messier Objects,The Caldwell Objects and the Herschell 400)but this one and" Hidden Treasures" volume, are in a league of their own. Excellent writing.

Stephen O Mearas latest book The Secret Deep is a good companion book to his Hidden Treasures book.I like to get background information to complement my observing list of deep-sky objects, and O Mearas books deal withmany in my list. It is not meant to be a book you just sit down and read, but as reference material it is in my opinionunsurpassed.

There’s a bit of redundancy here if you’ve gotO’Meara’s other titles but as in his typical fashion , it’s a great publication .

Another great book by O'Meara

Solid summary. My favorite is still his Messier Objects book. Puts a good historical perspective all objects.