Observing and Cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters

The New General Catalogue, originally created in 1888, is the source for referencing bright nebulae and star clusters, both in professional and amateur astronomy. With 7840 entries, it is the most-used historical catalogue of observational astronomy, and NGC numbers are commonly used today. However, the fascinating history of the discovery, observation, description and cataloguing of nebulae and star clusters in the nineteenth century has largely gone untold, until now. This well-researched book is the first comprehensive historical study of the NGC, and is an important resource to all those with an interest in the history of modern astronomy and visual deep-sky observing. It covers the people, observatories, instruments and methods involved in nineteenth-century visual deep-sky observing, as well as prominent deep-sky objects. The book also compares the NGC to modern object data, demonstrating how important the NGC is in observational astronomy today.

Spis treści:
Preface
1. Introduction
2. William Herschels observations and parallel activities
3. John Herschels Slough observations
4. Discoveries made in parallel with John Herschels Slough
5. John Herschel at the Cape of Good Hope
6. The time after Herschels observations till Auwers list of new nebulae
7. Compiling the General Catalogue
8. Dreyers first catalogue, the supplement to Herschels General Catalogue
9. Compilation of the New General Catalogue 356
10. The New General Catalogue, publication, analysis and effects
11. Special topics
12. Summary
Appendices
Index.