From: LARRY KLAES (ljk4_at_msn.com)
Date: Fri Apr 23 2004 - 05:44:07 PDT
----- Original Message -----
From: Patrick Poitevin<mailto:solareclipsewebpages_at_BTOPENWORLD.COM>
To: HASTRO-L_at_LISTSERV.WVU.EDU<mailto:HASTRO-L_at_LISTSERV.WVU.EDU>
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2004 5:10 PM
Subject: [HASTRO-L] Understanding Eclipses by Guy Ottewell
Guy Ottewell revised his book Understanding Eclipses. Owners and eclipse enthusiasts appreciated the first and second edition. Please see below the revision of the latest issue:
Understanding Eclipses by Guy Ottewell
The price is $14 plus shipping. Obtainable from:
Universal Workshop
c/o Sky Publishing Corporation
49 Bay State Road
Cambridge, MA 02138
U.S.A.
OR PHONE 800-253-0245 (toll-free); from outside US and Canada,
+617-864-7360
OR FAX 617-864-6117
OR E-MAIL orders_at_SkyandTelescope.com<mailto:orders_at_SkyandTelescope.com>
In 1991 was the first edition. The 2nd edition was with 4 pages added, and was in October 1991. Reprinted in 1993. And now the 3rd edition in Februrary 2004.
Name change: Astronomical Workshop to Universal Workshop c/o Sky Publishing.
Observed since previous edition: 1999 T Mexico, 1994 A Texas, 1995 T India, 1997 T Mongolia, 1998 T Ship Guadeloupe - Antigua, 1999 T Turkey, 2002 T Ceduna Australia, 2003 A Orkney
The frieze above the pages is a movie, or rather 2 movies: Annular and total eclipse. The sky grows darker, more detail, more explanation.
Extra on contents: Page 46 Further aspects of the eclipse - two pages; page 84 Eclipses to come (changed of course); page 94 Graph of durations.
Overall: Nicer print, looks like more per page (though isn't), graphics type same. Some graphics cut out and shows it is cut out and sticked to newer edition (see paper edges). Is on pages 8 and 9 with page 8 top graph is even shadow cut off. Graph 12 edge of paper cut is visible. Sometimes edges do disturb strongly such as page 15 top at left side.
Some graphs have more detail: page 11 with kilometers for diameter. Lunar eclipse graph is not in negative anymore. Is dark sky with lunar eclipse. Page 23 with sun images on leaf is much better. Ilustrations page 28 better, cleaner. Page 29 better and more realistic with eclipse and actual sky scene. Page 31 and further are even in color with blue/black instead of black/white: very nice and clear. Page 32 globe skimming for eclipse 1996 is better and more illustrative. Well explained. Night sky at eclipse, pages 44 and 45 are very good, with Milky Way, horizon, eclipse. Even clouds for the Mexican sky. Graphs of pattern of eclipse page 60 and 62 are much better and clearer.
More explanations, and better. "Annular how seeing ring -> north is thicker when displaced north". Extra eclipse story of Guy Fawkes page 80. Modification for past sentense not everywhere for past eclipses since previous edition? Page 16 "The eclipse of 1991 July 11 is very central ...". Page 52 "1991 July 11 is remarkable". To be "was"? Is OK though page 20 where 2003 "fell" or page 55 with "was". Page 56 "And its date will be Christmas Day, 2000". Time updated for annular 1994 with is instead of was. Eclipse seasons text more up to date overall and not just updated. Type error at page 24: "Half closed eye" shjapes of the small crescent. Was right in footnote in 1991 edition: shapes. Explanation of star/planet visibility is still given as the eclipse is to be seen and not in past sentense: "Venus the likiest to be visible". Most of text in kilometers, though some graphs in miles, yards, feet, inches.
Table with years with 4, 5, 6, and 7 eclipses not present anymore page 80. Though extra the quote that "the Moon is receding from the earth at a rate of 3.8 centimeters a year ..." As well as "at the epoch of revising, in 2004, it has ...". Obviously, eclipses to come is updated with eclipses from 2004 to 2026. The notes on eclipses page 84 though twice for eclipses 2005 H, 2005 A, 2006 T and 2008 T, which were already in previous edition. The tables of eclipses is extented for eclipses from 2004 to 2026. The short biography is extented and the webpages of Fred Espenak and Patrick and Joanne Poitevin are listed.
Extra at the end is a graph where the maximum duration of the eclipse is plotted against the years from 1900 to 2115. Some are connected with lines and show the saros. This is a very interesting graph and man can plot their own observations with durations on. Of course for your own life span.
Overall, as it was for the first edition, this revised edition is still THE eclipse book all eclipse enthusiasts should have in their collection. A wonderful easy read booklet with lots of graphs and eye for detail on eclipses.
Patrick Poitevin
19 April 2004
Patrick and Joanne Poitevin
solareclipsewebpages_at_btopenworld.com<mailto:solareclipsewebpages_at_btopenworld.com>
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