Lightning rarely strikes twice, but in the world of lunar astronomy, that’s exactly what has just happened. I’ve had the privilege of knowing one of the most accomplished lunar observers and photographers since I was a teenager. He has frequently contributed his expertise in articles in Astronomy Magazine. I’m speaking of Robert Reeves, who as much as anyone in recent years has popularized observing and appreciating our nearest celestial neighbor.
Related: An observer’s guide to lunar names
Exploring the Moon with Robert Reeves
Reeves is a prolific author and he has given the world of astro hobbyists two great gifts this year. The first is Exploring the Moon with Robert Reeves: Observing and Understanding Our Natural Satellite (2023, self-published and available on Amazon.com; 289 pages, hardcover: $49.95 hardcover, paperback: $39.95). This is quite an amazing and highly useful book, crammed with information that provides a great introduction to the Moon both physically and observationally.
The superb and illuminating text is accompanied by 421 images, all taken by the author, one of the most accomplished lunar photographers in the field. The sections provide a bible of sorts for lunar exploration, ranging from an introduction to the Moon and its physical nature, its origin and evolution, an overview of lunar observing, and sections on understanding the basins and maria and craters. Absorbing and helpful details follow on all manner of lunar features, walking the reader through various areas of the maria and the 10 largest craters on the nearside, across the author’s sentimental lunar favorites, and on a journey along other interesting craters and special features of the Moon.
Anyone interested in observing and understanding the Moon should acquire and carefully read this book. It is a masterpiece by an authority whose love for the Moon shines through on every page, and it serves not only as an interesting narrative, but also as a valuable reference.
Photographic Atlas of the Moon
And if that wasn’t enough from Robert Reeves, as I mentioned, there’s more. I also heartily recommend a valuable companion volume, Photographic Atlas of the Moon: A Comprehensive Guide for the Amateur Astronomer (2024, Firefly Books, Buffalo, New York; 288 pages, hardcover: $49.95). This wonderful lunar atlas makes a big contribution to the literature on observing and understanding the Moon, and should be required reading for anyone who fancies him- or herself as even remotely interested in our nearest cosmic satellite.
Featuring 165 large-format photos and diagrams — many of the photos again taken by the author — Reeves presents here a systematic and comprehensive tour of the many important regions of the Moon that can be observed by amateur astronomers. Highlights are described in detail, and the author provides numerous facts about interesting regions and features that will be visited by lunar observers time and again.
Rarely do we see two books emerge at nearly the same time that each make an advance in an area of amateur astronomy, and also so nicely complement each other. This is a big time for lunar observers and imagers thanks to the expertise of Reeves, and I highly encourage you to pick up a copy of each of these books, which will remain important on the bookshelf for many years to come.
