by Robert Caivano Jr.

I am a returning member to the AAAP. My interest in astronomy really never waned but life, as they say, got in the way. And yes the weather has not cooperated, I barely find an opportunity to mow the lawn; so the night skies suffer too.

About a month ago on a visit to the local library on their used books for sale rack, I saw and bought the three volume set of Robert Burnham Jr.’s “Celestial Handbook”. What a pleasure it is to read Robert’s work. From there on, I read a 1997 article by Tony Ortega on Robert Burnham Jr. life. Inspiring but in the end tragic. Then on Burnham’s advice I purchased “Norton’s Star Atlas and Reference Handbook”, the 20th edition of course. And to round out my book purchases I ordered Kepple & Sanner’s “The Night Sky Observer’s Guide” volumes 1, 2 & 3.

I guess I can’t claim to be much of an amateur astronomer having only now read Burnham or Norton!
Oh and for further inspiration I am halfway through Emily Lebesque’s “The Last Stargazers”. A great book. In addition to reading I have been making trips to the New Jersey Planetarium in Trenton for lectures. That’s it for now.