Certain pictures might highlight one aspect of a feature over another depending on the angle sunlight hits them, and there would be no consistency. Contrast this approach with trying to compile pictures of every lunar region. Drawing a map allows you to closely examine and portray each feature in a consistent manner.
#Vintage book of moon atlas full#
Many features, such as craters, look spectacular when they are on the terminator, but extremely dull and uninteresting when viewed during a full moon. Many lunar features appear drastically different depending on when you are looking at them. Lunar observing is incredibly dependent lighting and angles. The maps are hand drawn in order to give a consistent view of the entire lunar surface. This book is to lunar maps as Gray's Anatomy is to human biology. Personally, I think this book is as much a work of art as it is a practical tool. It is an excellent resource for anyone looking for maps to our closest celestial neighbor.
They are hand drawn and Rukl has obviously invested a great deal of time in this work. The maps in this book have an incredible amount of detail. May the moon brightly "light up" your observing. This is a superb book to use with either a small or a large telescope and the rich artwork will add to your enjoyment of one of our most beautiful astronomical companions. So did I, until I decided to join in and enjoy what I couldn't change (the moon is also less subject to the many vagarities of astronomical seeing). Observational astronomers often complain about the moon as a source of light pollution. Well, there are other sources, but it would have been nice to have the artist's perspective.
He also says little about some of the pre-scientific ideas and musings about this object which has captivated and enriched the imaginations, as well as the mind, of so many people for so much of our history. Surprisingly, and disappointingly, he gives very little description about his work in drawing the lunar features or general astronomical sketching, which in my opinion is a missed opportunity to add some charm and value to an already aesthetic book. The author has complemented his research with a good bibliography, comprehensive charts, and a brief description of the art and science of observing the moon. Users of both small and large telescopes can enjoy using this book. The atlas is also divided up into small sections which makes it more enjoyable to plan a "visit," with plenty of description about the people for whom the craters are named (of course, one can never be satisfied that enough features are named). The book obviously shows considerable love for the science and patience, which are terrific qualities for any observer to take to the eyepiece. I was surprised to find how this graphically drawn atlas seems easier to use than a photographic one, even if the accuracy cannot be quite as good - photos do not always look like the view in the telescope, they are far harsher, and the shading often affects your perception enough to confuse some features (the author did include photos of some of the more prominent features). This book is a beautiful complement to a photographic atlas or description.
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