The Arp Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies: A Chronicle and Observer's Guide

In 1966, astronomer Halton Arp compiled his Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies, which featured 338
images of some of the strangest looking galaxies and galaxy groups then known to exist. The
purpose of the Atlas, Arp stated in his preface, was to graphically present structural
peculiarities in galaxies "in order to build a realistic picture of what galaxies are really like."
At the time, astronomers were struggling to formulate a workable taxonomy of "symmetrical"
galaxies using classification schemes such as Edwin Hubble's tuning fork diagram. But the
Atlas was comprised of the "Elephant Men" of galaxies, and their deformations challenged
and defied astronomers' attempts at galaxy classification.
Although the Atlas itself has been long out of print, this book not only reproduces all 338 of
the original Atlas of Peculiar Galaxiesimages, including Arp's preface, it also presents new
images of all Arp galaxies taken by amateur astronomers, along with finder charts and
observing notes. In addition, it provides a chronicle of Arp's saga, from his early work at
Mount Wilson and Palomar, where the original Atlas was assembled, to his controversial
research on discordant redshifts. Although Arp's astrophysical interpretations have sparked
controversy among his peers - the giants of professional astronomy - his story has stoked the
interests of amateur astronomers throughout the world who want to know more about the man
and his catalog of peculiar galaxies.
In addition to Arp's story, the book also provides amateurs with a complete guide to observing
the Arp galaxies. Today, even with the advent of large-aperture amateur telescopes and
affordable CCD cameras, this is admittedly an ambitious undertaking, but the Observing
Guide will help put many of these unusual galactic specimens within reach of both observers
and imagers. Even with 8 and 10-inch telescopes, the peculiarities of nearly 20 Arp galaxies
can be detected. Whatever size telescope you have, however, the point is not to just look for
an Arp galaxy, but to observe the unusual structures produced by galactic interactions,
gravitational tidal forces, and inherent dynamics. To help you identify these structures, the
guide provides detailed diagrams of each Arp field.
What can you see? Counter-tails, rings, jets, "wind" effects, plumes, galaxy chains, single-
and multi-armed galaxies, and other oddities. Such features may task your imaging and
observing skills, but they are what make the Arp galaxies so intriguing. Observers seeking
new challenges, a good story, and an important piece of astronomy history need look no
further than The Arp Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies: A Chronicle and Observer's Guide.

THE CHRONICLE INCLUDES:
The processes that make galaxies peculiar
Halton Arp's early life
His initial work at Mount Wilson and Palomar
How and why he constructed the Atlas
Why he left the Carnegie Institute
The breakup between Carnegie and Caltech
His controversial work on galaxy-quasar associations
Profiles of some of Arp's most prominent discordant redshifts cases

THE OBSERVER'S GUIDE INCLUDES:
A detailed guide to observing the Arp peculiar galaxies
26 sky charts showing the locations of the Arp galaxies by region
Detailed tables for each sky chart
Amateur images of all 338 Arp galaxies
Annotated schematic diagrams of each galaxy field
Galaxy characteristics and visual observation narratives
Arp's explanatory notes from the Atlas

Price - £32.00 + £5.25 p&p

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