Cometography: Volume 4, 1933-1959: A Catalog of Comets

Description

Cometography is a multi-volume catalog of every comet observed throughout history. It uses the most reliable orbits known to determine the distances from the Earth and Sun at the time a comet was discovered and last observed, as well as the largest and smallest angular distance to the Sun, most northerly and southerly declination, closest distance to the Earth, and other details to enable the reader to understand the physical appearance of each well-observed comet. Volume 4 provides a complete discussion of each comet seen from 1933 to 1959. It includes physical descriptions made throughout each comet's apparition. The comets are listed in chronological order, and each listing includes complete references to publications relating to the comet. This book is the most complete and comprehensive collection of comet data available, and provides amateur and professional astronomers, and historians of science, with a definitive reference on comets through the ages.

Gary Kronk has held a life-long passion for astronomy, and has been researching historical information on comets ever since sighting Comet Kohoutek in 1973/74. His work has been published in numerous magazines, and in two previous books Comets: A Descriptive Catalog (1984), Meteor Showers: A Descriptive Catalog (1988). Kronk holds positions in various astronomical societies, including Coordinator of the Comet Section of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, and Consultant for the American Meteor Society. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) named minor planet 48300 Kronk, in honor of the extensive research Gary Kronk has done in cometography.

From reviews of Cometography: 'What he did is phenomenal.' Daniel Green, Daily Guide '... an indispensable reference for historians, comet researchers, and true enthusiasts of the field ... the book's value is inestimable and I can only give [it] my highest praise.' Sky Telescope '... a valuable reference for scientists and historians in many fields.' Choice '... a treasure trove of information and each entry stands on its own.' The Journal of the British Astronomical Association 'Cometography has been beautifully produced, and it is a thorough, definitive, well referenced, comprehensive, and easily accessible work of scholarship. For historians, scientific or otherwise, this will be a 'first stop' for information about ancient comets. Looking into the future, it will be a rare month that I will not refer to it.' David W. Hughes, The Observatory 'This marvellous book was clearly a labour of love. It is a treasure, and will be appreciated for much longer than the century it covers.' New Scientist '... sure to become the standard cometary reference source ... Every library with a comet section should invest in the Cometography series. Congratulations to Gary Kronk on a lifetime of scholarly achievement.' Contemporary Physics '... ambitious attempt to catalogue all recorded comets through history ... the sheer volume of information contained in this book ... is a very useful work of reference.' Journal of Geological Magazine '... the most complete and comprehensive collection of comet data available ...' Spaceflight