Comments for ActaPhysica Blog

Comment on Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe by Luis Gallo

Luis Gallo — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:03:41 +0000

Review by Luis Gallo for Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
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Terence Dickinson’s “Nightwatch” is a practical all-around guide to amateur astronomy. Spiralbound for outdoor and easier use, and packed with colorful pictures, charts and skymaps, the book gives the reader all the help needed to become a first class amateur astronomer. Wonderfully written with chapters on the Sun, the moon, the planets and the motions of the sky, the constellations and the stars, comets, meteors, eclipses and auroras, stargazing equipment and photographing the nightsky this revised and updated edition is expanded for use through the year 2010, and contains also a chapter on resources covering astronomy magazines, books, software, clubs, conventions and useful websites as well as information on observatories and leading manufacturers of astronomical telescopes and binoculars. An acomplished astronomer himself and the author of 14 books, with “Nightwatch” Dickinson has crafted one of the best astronomy field guides available today. A superb book!

Comment on Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe by Steven Nicolaou

Steven Nicolaou — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:48:13 +0000

Review by Steven Nicolaou for Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
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This is perhaps the most important book you’ll need to get started if you feel you’re one of those people who have suddenly been captured by astronomy. The book sets out to answer all those questions that will inevitably flood your mind and does so in a way that is very easy to understand, complemented by a touch of inspiring poetry. It never gets too technical, yet the amazing wealth of information in there is never compromised.Topic coverage is very broad and the depth of information I find is very satisfying. Chapters include the structure of the universe, stargazing, a detailed guide to selecting and purchasing equipment, the stars, the planets, the moon and sun, solar and lunar eclipses, comets, meteors, auroras and even how to photograph the night sky. The book is further enriched by an abundance of backgrounders, star charts, tables, breathtaking images and excellent diagrams explaining things like measuring degrees with your hand and how to use the constellations to find other stars. Important stars and constellations are treated like individual personalities as a lot of the associated data such as distances are put into perspective.Nightwatch is a clearly focused book. Rich in information, and down to earth with its content, it will satisfy the budding backyard astronomer’s need to appreciate what’s out there and how to enjoy it.

Comment on Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe by M. H. Bayliss

M. H. Bayliss — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:45:41 +0000

Review by M. H. Bayliss for Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
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Having recently purchased a telescope, I’ve been reading lots of astronomy books. Even though this one is very basic, overall I’ve found it the most useful. No math, no equations, but tons of helpful advice that will have you up and finding stars right away. I like the fact that he emphasizes how much you can see with binocs too. The star charts are very helpful and are printed so that they can be read by a red light while you’re out observing. Lots of great information on how to buy a telescope too. The bound version is perfect for carrying with you to find objects in the sky. Well written, easy to follow and informative — if you only buy one book, this should be it (although I’d have to add my all time favorite, The Stars by H.A. Ray, the only book that draws the constellations so that they actually look like pictures).

Comment on Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe by C. D. MYERS

C. D. MYERS — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:13:38 +0000

Review by C. D. MYERS for Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe
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This book is outstanding for two people: parents that are considering buying a telescope for their children, and adults that have an interest in becoming an amateur astronomer. This book will allow both groups of people to learn more about not only the stars, planets, and our universe, but to make intelligent decisions on purchases of such things as telescopes, binoculars, software programs, or more reading material.All too often a parent will buy the “blue light special” telescope for their children, yet the child is quickly frustrated with inferior optics, a wobbly stand, and no knowledge of what to look at and why. This book will allow those parents to grasp the basics of astronomy and therefore teach their children to appreciate the universe. Mr. Dickinson has presented material so that everyone can enjoy the night sky; whether viewed with a telescope, binoculars, or the naked eye.For those older children or adults, this book will allow them to jump headfirst into astronomy as a lifelong enjoyment. If you want to have only a basic understanding of the celestial bodies, this book is more than enough. But in the last few pages, Mr. Dickinson tells you where to go to find greater resources to further knowledge. Because of his recommendations and my own research, I’ve acquired the following items that I would also like to recommend:Sky Atlas 2000.0 by Wil Tirion (a great resource for finding objects not usually in the astronomy magazines’ monthly inserts)The Backyard Astronomer’s Guide by Terence Dickinson (this is a “sequel” to Nightwatch and between these two books, they are used about 80% of the time compared to my other resources)Turn Left at Orion by Guy Consolmagno (I enjoy using this book to plan an observation session for “old favorites” or as a “highlights tour” for showing to those new to astronomy)Other resourses that are more in depth that you may want to consider if you become very serious about astronomy:Burnham’s Celestial Handbook, Volumes 1, 2, & 3Deep-Sky Companions : The Messier Objects A subscription to Sky & Telescope or AstronomyI can’t say enough about Nightwatch. This may be your first, or your “first and last” book on astronomy. But either way, you will enjoy astronomy because of Terence Dickinson’s writing.

Comment on Pushing Electrons: A Guide for Students of Organic Chemistry by M. Sommers

M. Sommers — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:20:31 +0000

Review by M. Sommers for Pushing Electrons: A Guide for Students of Organic Chemistry
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I’m taking Organic Chemistry this semester at a Big 12 university, and bought this book on recommendation from my professor. The simple truth is, past a certain point, you can no longer rely entirely upon memorizing reactions to do well in this subject — you really have to understand the mechanisms. This book provides the basis for that, and is therefore very valuable. It’s only downfall is that it’s very expensive… If you’re ok with parting with 50 dollars I’d recommend it.

Comment on Pushing Electrons: A Guide for Students of Organic Chemistry by E. Rosic

E. Rosic — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:06:13 +0000

Review by E. Rosic for Pushing Electrons: A Guide for Students of Organic Chemistry
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The book is truly useful and very easy to read. Although it does not cover a lot of topics from Organic Chem., the topics that are covered are greatly explained. It is worth the money!

Comment on Pushing Electrons: A Guide for Students of Organic Chemistry by Doan Ho

Doan Ho — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 17:10:06 +0000

Review by Doan Ho for Pushing Electrons: A Guide for Students of Organic Chemistry
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This book is not a substitution for organic chemistry by any means. It’s mean (the first 2 chapters) to prepare, review, and reinforce concepts learned in Gen Chem but vital to organic.The last 3 chapters are not review. They require some understanding of organic first. They are meant to reinforce and review what you learn in class. So you can’t just jump for chapter 1 and 2 directly into 3. One and two are meant for prior to organic. And 3 through 5 are to be used during the class.It’s definately got me several steps up on my classmates so far. Ken

Comment on Pushing Electrons: A Guide for Students of Organic Chemistry by Matthew M. Yau

Matthew M. Yau — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:40:59 +0000

Review by Matthew M. Yau for Pushing Electrons: A Guide for Students of Organic Chemistry
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Adoption of hard cover for this book indicates that it has been more widely used as a supplimentary text for organic courses. Indeed just as the title suggests, this serves as a guide to “push electrons”, the main principle behind writing reasonable mechanisms for organic reactions. Many students, unfortunately, find writing mechanisms extremely difficult and have no clue of how to begin. This book does not present chemistry of major functional groups, rather focuses on discussing how electrons shall move properly. Students who consider taking organic chemistry should at least read through this book, as a prerequisite check for your knowledge of electron structures and feel comfortable about directions of which electrons move. Excellent tool for organic student except that now students have to pay a higher price for the hard-cover version.

Comment on Pushing Electrons: A Guide for Students of Organic Chemistry by Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:20:14 +0000

Review by for Pushing Electrons: A Guide for Students of Organic Chemistry
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This book starts out great, because it really makes it clear for us idiots the reason electrons are pushed. It is an engaging study tool that makes you want to open the book everyday. The problem with the book, I’m now learning, is that I now know how to push electrons, but I still don’t know when to apply what rules. I thought that the book would have talked more about how to identify electrophiles, and nucleophiles (with regards to reagents). Instead the books jumps for being really easy to follow, to asking the reader to attempt really complex mechanisms. That’s like asking a kid who just learned his ABC’s to write a book. Very poor ending. However, for those of you who are clear on electrophiles and nucleophiles, this book would be perfect for you. I suspect that if you know those well, you might not need this book.

Comment on The Nature of Space and Time [VHS] by Peidyen

Peidyen — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 08:53:14 +0000

Review by Peidyen for The Nature of Space and Time [VHS]
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I found this to be a fascinating overview of some of the major issues in cosmology from both Hawking and Penroses point of view. What is amazing is the actual level of agreement between the two. Perhaps only the real physicists appreciate the nuances of their differences of opinion.

I would recommend this book for anyone who’s gone to the trouble of picking up a basic understanding of relativity ( special and/or general ).

The math is not terrbily daunting in most places and you get a real overview for the big picture of the state of relativity and quantum gravity.