THE OBSERVER’S HANDBOOK for 1961 is the 53rd issue. Several additions have been made: the pronunciations of the names of the constellations, a finding list of named stars, a small map of the moon and the maximum and minimum values of the moon’s libration in longitude and latitude. Additional explanations are given for sidereal time and for the correction for longitude in changing from local mean to standard time. Opposition ephemerides are given for the four brightest asteroids, together with a map of the path of Vesta near the time of opposition.

Cordial thanks are offered to those who assisted in the preparation of this volume, to those who are named and to Judith Bancroft, Barbara Gaizauskas, William Greig, Richard Henry, Külli Millës, Susan Priddle, Isabel Williamson and Dorothy Yane. Special thanks are due to Gordon E. Taylor and the British Astronomical Association for the data on planetary appulses and occultations and to Margaret W. Mayall, Director of the A.A.V.S.O., for the predictions of the times of maxima of the long-period variables.

Our deep indebtedness to the British Nautical Almanac Office and to the American Ephemeris is thankfully acknowledged.

Ruth J. Northcott