Atlas gazovo-pylevykh tumannostei [Atlas of Gaseous Dust Nebulae].

Incredibly scarce and impressive album with original photographs.

First and only edition of this large atlas volume of original photographs with accompanying text compiled by V. G. Fesenkov and D.A. Rozhkovsky who pioneered studying the gaseous nebulae. These are the leading Soviet astrophysicists of their time who were the first to make a photographic 'Atlas of Gas and Dust Nebulae' in trying to understand the 'evolution of structure of nebulae, turbulent phenomena in interstellar clouds and in the vicinity of hot stars.'

In 1950, academician V. G. Fesenkov and D.A. Rozhkovsky began a detailed study of gas-dust galactic nebulae. A large collection of original photographs of them, over 700 negatives, made it possible to prepare and publish in 1953, for the first time in the USSR, the Atlas of Gas and Dust Nebulae, in which reproductions of several dozen nebulae and their individual details were presented. The purpose of this work was to study the evolution and structure of nebulae, turbulent phenomena in interstellar clouds and in the vicinity of hot stars. High-quality photographs of the atlas clearly illustrated a peculiar panorama of the fine structure of objects formed by the radiation of ionised gas and made it possible to reveal dust scattering the light of stars. The atlas contained new, very useful information and stimulated the interest of astronomers in observing nebulae. A detailed study of a large observational material allowed D.A. Rozhkovsky to discover about 30 new diffuse nebulae.

First (only) edition, square 4to (30 x 26.5 cm); 59 original mounted photographs, with text referencing each photograph and additional text material, leaves a little warped; a touch of wear, some soiling to fore-edge, embossed stamp of Carnegie Institution; original gilt-stamped maroon cloth, minor wear to spine, a very good copy.