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The third edition of Nightwatch continues its tradition of being the best handbook for the beginning astronomer. Terence Dickinson covers all the problems beginners face, starting with the fact that the night sky does not look the way a modern city-dweller expects. He discusses light pollution, how to choose binoculars and telescopes, how to pronounce the names of stars and constellations, telescope mounts, averted vision, and why the harvest moon looks especially bright. Most of the lovely photographs in the book were taken by amateurs, which gives the section on astrophotography a particularly inspirational gleam.

Dickinson's star charts are very handy, each covering a reasonable field of view and mapping the most interesting amateur objects. He gives good advice for planet watching, which he notes "is one of the few astronomical activities that can be conducted almost as well from the city as from dark rural locations."

Altogether, the watchword for Nightwatch is indeed "practical"--this is a book to be used, not just read. Spiral-bound to lie flat or to fold back undamaged, it's a field guide that pulls its own weight in the field. Author Timothy Ferris says, "Like a good night sky, Nightwatch is clear and wind-free. Try it and see for yourself." --Mary Ellen Curtin ... Read more

Reviews (47)

Beautiful, practical ...
This book was recommended to me by an avid backyard astronomer when I mentioned I was interested in learning more about astronomy. I was absolutely delighted with this book. The photos are beautiful, the diagrams are excellent. It makes star/planet identification easy, gives guidance on buying a telescope, has a nice introductory chapter on the universe, putting everything in perspective. The writing is clear, straightforward, understandable. I am extremely pleased with my purchase, as I feel that this single book contains everything I really want to know at this time. I would recommend it to anyone who wants an interesting, comprehensible introduction to the night sky.

One of the best beginner books
I got a beginner's telescope from Celestron (the FirstScope 114) as a gift, and was anxious to begin using it. I picked up a few books on beginning astronomy (but not NightWatch) and set to work using it. After fiddling with the telescope to align it correctly, and trying to use the star charts in the books I bought, I gave up. I had friend visitng from out of town who wanted to try the telescope again, so we dragged out the scope and the books and couldn't get anywhere once again.

Later, I received NightWatch as a gift, and its made a world of difference. The scheme for finding stars and other objects is much simpler than in other texts. Rather than use the celestial coordinate system (based on right ascension, R.A., and declination, Dec.), which requires that you align your telescope correctly, NightWatch uses a few key stars and constellations as pointers, and shows how to use your fingers and hand to measure celestial distances. From the reference points, you can easily navigate througout the sky.

If you don't already have a telescope, this is also a good book to purchase, as it has a discussion of different kinds of telescopes and their tradeoffs. NightWatch also has good information on using binoculars, which makes it easy to get started without plunking down much money, since most people own a pair.

Bottom line: Of the 4 beginner's books I have, NightWatch is by far the best.

Good but not great.
This is another one of Terence Dickinsons "backyard astronomy" books that is somewhat better than others of this particular "genre", but suffers by a somewhat superficial treatment of the practical aspects of the subject. The primary reason I purchased the book was for the 20 very good star charts contained. It was not until I started using these charts that I realized that many important Messier objects were not included!

Although the pictures are wonderful , and very attractive , I buy books of this type for information--not to "sell me" on being an amateur astronomer. I don't need "cheerleading". There are other books available that offer somewhat more information than this one--so 4 stars (more like 3.5 stars).

Perfect starter to the Astronomer's world
This book is greatly build up and covers every major aspect of Astronomy . In an understandable way and very plastic with supportive pictures you get to understand cohesions and basics about our solar system, the galaxies and the whole universe.
It puts emphasize on the star constellations and features great maps to navigate the sky. The ringbinding helps a lot to work with it in the field. And the paper is high quality and will take a lot of use.
This makes a great gift for anyone who is intersted in nature or wants to explore the night sky.
This is the absolute BEST BUY to start with!!! Nothing else.

An excellent book for new astronomers.
For the money you can't go wrong this is an excellent book for people just starting out in astronomy or who need a better understanding of the night sky and where to locate things. This book is packed full of info. and nice color photographs to go along with the many things you can see in a small telescope. I wouldnt really suggest this book though to those who allready know how to locate things and have a good understanding of astronomy. For the new person though theres tons of night time sky charts with details of nebulas and everything else in that part of the sky. Theres an excellent part that shows you how to measure the distances between stars & constellations to locate those harder to find subjects!! An excelent book that deserves a 5 star review. I forgot to mention that it's spiral bound so this makes it easy to lay flat and keep on a certain page. And don't forget take your time with the book to learn things the night sky isnt going anywhere! ... Read more

Book Description

The fourth edition of this best-selling field guide has been completely revised and updated to include the latest information from leading astronomical sources. All the time-sensitive material is new and valid through 2010: solar eclipses, phases of the moon, positions of the planets, and more. Twenty-four Monthly Sky Maps, all newly revised and in color, show exactly what you'll see when facing north or south in the night sky. Fifty-two Atlas Charts, also revised and in color, cover the entire sky, including close-ups of areas of special interest such as the Pleiades and the Orion Nebula. The hundreds of thousands of devoted users of the previous editions of this guide have been eagerly awaiting this new volume so they can continue to enjoy their hobby in the coming decades. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Great reference but poor for use in the field
This review is for the softcover version. I feel almost bad to give this great guide 3 stars. The book contains a lot of very good information - more so than many books several times larger. As such, it's an excellent reference for beginner and more advanced user alike. However, the book fails miserably for field use, which, ironically, it is supposed to be designed for.

The cover frays and acquires "dog-ears" in a relatively short time of field use. In contrast, the Audubon field guides use a much more resilient plastic softcover. The pages smude easily from finger oils - remember, this is a guide you should be able to use for 8 years or so (until the next edition) so these are unacceptable shortcomings IMHO. By far the biggest gripe I have with this book, however, is the the choice of red to identify galaxies, star clusters etc in the atlas charts. These marks completely disappear under red light(!!!), making the charts useless for finding deep sky objects in the field. Finally, how are you supposed to operate equipment and keep the book open? Because it lacks spiral binding, the only way to use it hands-off is to put a weight on the page you're referencing.

If you're looking for a great reference to use at home, this guide is hard to beat - in fact, I highly recommend it. However, look elsewhere for more useful star charts with deep sky objects to use in the field.

Great sky maps - and much more!
First, its great monthly sky charts - for both the southern and northern hemispheres, and its many detailed charts and diagrams (all in colors) will help you find almost any visible star, galaxy, nebula, consolation or planet. For the planets there are charts and diagrams about their trajectories and positions in the sky that are valid till 2010.
But beyond that, there's plenty of valuable info about most of the "popular" objects and consolations, accompanied by excellent pictures. And there are some other astronomy related tips for newcomers, such as on purchasing a telescope or binocular, or photographing the stars. All in all, it's an enjoyable and valuable reading book in addition to it being a great field guide.

Supreme writing and wonderful pictures
This was a great astronomy book that i used countless times with my telescope. without this book i would not be able to know where almost half the stars in the sky are. Wonderful writing that is easy for a amaueter astronomer like myself and many others. The pictures are the best part. The mind bending images of stars nebulaes and solar eclipses are enough. Wonderful book!!!

This is one of my "desert island" books.
If I had to choose a small number of books to take with me into exile on some deserted island somewhere, this would definitely be one of them (and offhand I'm not sure I can name any others).

An entire astronomy library packed into a single portable field guide, Jay Pasachoff's entry in the Peterson Field Guide series is a delightful introduction to, and reference for, the universe revealed in the night sky.

If you have any interest in astronomy at all, you can always find something in here to look at or just to sit and ponder about.

Besides the obvious things like monthly star charts for both northern and southern hemispheres, the book contains a complete 52 chart atlas of the sky put together by Wil Tirion with notes on objects in each chart, clever finder charts and tables for the planets for a ten year period, history and lore of the naming of the constallations, many, many photographs of astronomical objects taken by Hubble and other telescopes, an atlas of the moon, and many enlightening charts and tables of things like details of the brightest/nearest stars, the planets and their moons, and so on.

There's a section on each of the planets, and of course lots of coverage of the sun and eclipses of the sun and moon.

It always surprises me that this book doesn't seem to get as much respect in astronomical circles as I think it deserves. While you can certainly fill a library with astronomical books and atlases that are better than this field guide in any one area, you will not do better than this book in stuffing all of that information together in one "to go" package.

An excellent gift for a child starting to get interested in science and the world at large.

I could go on, but you should just buy the book and see for yourself :-)

G.

For those serious about learning astronomy
For the very new to star charts and guides, this was a bit daunting at first. It is not a quickie guide. But after reading through it and learning the terminology it has lived up the "Peterson field guides" tradition. The maps and charts are very clear and it is chock full of interesting facts. It even has a small section on telescopes and binoculars that was helpful.
This guide if full of wonderful pictures and charts, it has become one of the more dog eared field guides in the house right after my Petersons bird books!
I would defiantly recommend this book to any one who is serious about astronomy. ... Read more

Book Description

Make each night a meaningful stargazing experience with A Walk Through the Southern Sky. This ultimate guide to the heavens takes the guesswork out of identifying constellations and fosters appreciation of their beauty and significance. All you need are your eyes; this trusty volume takes care of the rest. This volume brings to stargazers in the Southern hemisphere the same insightful coverage and accessibility that Heifetz and Tirion's previous volume--A Walk Through the Heavens--did for those up North.Its unique, simplified maps not only make constellations easy to find but also help locate the stars within them. Without having to use a telescope or other astronomical equipment, readers can gauge the sizes and separations between constellations, and easily move from one to the other, by simply following the book's clear instructions. In addition, the ancient myths and legends surrounding the constellations, are retold, providing a rich historical prespective. Beautifully illustrated by Wil Tirion, this is an ideal introduction to launch the novice astronomer on a journey across the starlit skies. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Learning the Southern Sky
After deciding to go into the Observational Astronomy hobby, I have been denying experts' advise for months. Although being almost a rookie, "start with a pair of binoculars", "plan your session ahead" and so on seemed trivial to me. This book helps the reader to solve which is probably the very first lesson to begin with: "learn the sky". In addition to that, it is dedicated to the Southern Hemisphere, trascendental for those who live "below" the equator. "A walk through the Southern Sky" easily and friendly explains how to reach minor constellations starting at the major ones. From Orion and Canis Major, precise highways are traced to reach Canis Minor, Cancer, Lepus and so on. From Crux and Centauri, to Vela and so on. I had started with a friend's computerized scope, and always thought that "starhopping" would be imposible for me under light-polluted skies. Probably one of the major goals of the authors is having proved me wrong. Again, if I could, anybody can! ... Read more

Book Description

It's a beautiful, clear night and you decide to look up, once again, at the thousands and thousands of stars you have seen all your life. Each is anonymous in the vast sweep of the heavens. It's impossible to distinguish one bright star from another, one constellation from the next, without help.

Here it is. The product of 20 years face-to-face with the sky in all latitudes of this blue planet, The Great Atlas of the Stars was created to give the lay-person and amateur astronomer a map of the principal constellations and grand stars seen in the whole Northern Hemisphere. It covers the 30 most important constellations of the 88 visible from Earth.

These 30 constellations are the most rich and beautiful. Here you will find the most brilliant (and pretty) stars and remarkable nebulas and galaxies, that are the most interesting to observe. Each receives a full-page "identity card" which features the known characteristics: distance, luminosity, dimensions. For each of the constellations, 3 to 6 principal stars are shown in detail and located in a map of their sector of the sky.

Opposite the "identity card" page is a magnificent full color photograph of the constellation and its background of starry sky. Between the two is an overlay of clear mylar. Printed on the mylar overlay are the names of the elements of the constellation, and the connections between them.

Lastly, numerous photographs of staggeringly beautiful nebulae and starscapes, retrieved with the latest telescopes and space technology, put the individual constellations in the larger perspective of the night sky.

As authoritative as it is beautiful, The Great Atlas of the Stars will be consulted again and again by students, amateur astronomers, teachers and anyone who wants to know more about the stars. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A beautiful book...
There must be quite a risk associated with using the adjective "great" in the title of a book when actually describing the book itself. Serge Brunier probably decided he was safe in doing so when Akira Fujii signed on as the photographer for this beautiful constellation atlas. In addition to the breathtaking wide-field shots of Fujii, the book contains numerous images by other amateur and professional astrophotographers. It is the images of Fujii that steal the show, however, along with the expert editorial judgment of Brunier, that make this an unquestionably great book.

I have a fair amateur knowledge of the night sky, but while browsing the Great Atlas, I feel as though I am seeing these constellations for the first time. The layout is so elegant and simple that it tends to hide how thoroughly well-thought-out it really is.

Each two-page spread is made up of three basic elements. 1) On the right is a beautiful 10.5 x 14 inch wide-field constellation shot by the legendary Japanese astrophotographer Fujii. 2) On the left facing page is the constellation name, season for best observing, some history, a schematic showing the major landmarks, and three close-up detail photos of interesting stars or other objects in the vicinity, with brief descriptions. 3) Finally, there is a clear overlay for the wide-field shot with circles and labels, as well as constellation lines. The book is spiral-bound so the whole affair lays perfectly flat on your table top for easy access.

The package creates an irresistible presentation that makes for easy inspection and close examination.

Many of the constellations (e.g., Virgo, Scorpius), have an additional page with an enlargement of the Fujii photo of the previous page, highlighting a particularly interesting region of the photo. The enlargements are primarily the photographs of David Malin (Anglo-Australian Observatory) with higher magnification, though many readers will recognize the work of others as well. Besides Fujii, the astrophotography of such well known amateurs as Jerry Lodriguss, John Gleason, and Bill and Sally Fletcher are also represented. Additionally, professional images from the European Southern Observatory, the National Optical Astronomical Observatories, and the Space Telescope Science Institute are used as well.

The selection of objects highlighted on the left page-panel is a mix of some standard deep sky objects (e.g, M13) and exotic variable, double, or otherwise interesting stars. Most of these objects are easy targets for amateur scopes, but there are a few exotic ones thrown in for good measure as well (e.g, the "pistol star" in Sagittarius).

This text component meshes very well with the photographs. The information included is a perfect compliment to the photography. Not too much but a balance that feels just right. The brief descriptions of these varied objects provides just enough information and visual stimulation that leaves me wanting more. I was prompted in several cases to pull additional references off the shelf and read about several interesting red giant stars, and also added several telescopic double stars to the "must see" list for my next observing session.

I have a few very small quibbles: the Big Dipper is treated as a constellation, some star names are spelled with unusual variants, and throughout, "zeta" is spelled "dzeta." These quibbles are relatively small though, given a book of this value and stature.

Perhaps the best way to explain my feelings about this book is to say it is the visual equivalent to the three-volume Celestial Handbook. What Robert Burnham did with poetry and mythology, Brunier and Fujii do with photography.

All the above verbiage notwithstanding, I simply cannot express to you how beautiful this book really is. It is not expensive. Buy it. Now.

Why are you still reading this? Go.

Exceptionally Beautiful Photography
The book contains some of the finest astrophotography I have seen. You will not be taking this out to your observation site, nor will you be using it to hunt down what you plan to observe when out with your scope. However, it provides absolutely stunning views of the sky and is a joy to look through. For beginners, the book has plastic overlay sheets that highlight the stars which form the outline of the constellations. A few deep sky objects are portrayed for each constellation. But, as I said, you're not buying this as a true star atlas, but as a beautiful book to enjoy.

"Great Atlas" falls short of its name
One knock on modern star atlases is that they tend to be, well, a little dry. Old atlases have colorful constellation figures drawn in ornate detail, detail that gets in the way of seeing the actual stars. Aiming for the practical, atlases for professional use focused more and more on the stars--the ultimate case being an atlas by the German astronomer Friedrich Argelander. Argelander's work was a map of 324,000 stars, unrelieved with figures, constellation lines, names, numbers, or indeed anything at all except coordinate lines. It's hardly a gripping book.

Brunier and Fujii's book is an attempt to put more of the beauty of the night sky back into a map of the stars. This book really isn't a comprehensive atlas; think of it more as a Fodor's guide to the stars. Not all of the sky is covered--just the highlights.

Even those readers only faintly acquainted with the heavens will recognize some friends here: the Big Dipper, Orion. But this book doesn't merely show you the constellations. Akira Fujii's breathtaking wide-field astrophotos reveal dozens of celestial wonders in the neighborhood of each constellation. The brightest are pulled out for special mention in the accompanying text, written by Brunier. Acetate overlays are cleverly inserted between the photos, marked with white circles to indicate where the objects are.

Here's where the book gets a bit dicier. Quite a few of the circles aren't where they ought to be. The circles for M81 and M82, a dazzling pair of galaxies close to the Big Dipper, is a couple of degrees off from where it ought to be. (The circle itself is about a degree across.) Even worse is the circle for M3, a globular cluster containing hundreds of thousands of stars; not only is the circle about 5 degrees off, but M3 isn't even in the wide-field astrophoto at all.

Now, an ordinary copy editor isn't going to be able to catch this, and it won't matter much to the ordinary reader. But it shows a lack of attention to detail that just shouldn't be an issue for a book with such outstanding production values. (And they are outstanding.) This book deserves a second edition; let's hope that these mostly minor issues get resolved by then.

Wonderful book, useful, attractive, and even educational
I have a number of astronomy books and this one stands out as exceptional. Its a well annotated picture book that appeals to both adults and youngsters. It serves both a great eye-candy, but it's also a great reference. The striking large photos are very attractive (of course), but the presence of plasic overlays that allows you to see annotations is a great idea; you can see the raw scene but also see the actual vista. The descriptive text is also good and quite informative. This is the only astronomy book I leave out since it appeals to anybody.

Nice idea but badly executed
I agree that the photos are wonderful. However, the editors/writers aren't very skilled in astronomy, or even checking accuracy. The concept of the book is to link the star photos to other photos of higher resolution and to append to that a useful paragraph of info. Unfortunately, the circled areas on the main photo (using the plastic overlay) often do not match the same field as the referenced close-up photo. Moreover, the text is often too little, unrelated, or just plain weak. It would have been very easy to get this right but that didn't happen in this edition; very frustrating. So, if you like awesome photos then the book is nice; as an astronomical tool it is fairly useless. Let's hope the next edition does better. ... Read more

Book Description

The perfect companion volume for Hale-Bopp watchers, this guide explores the fabulous mysteries above, from planets in our solar system to the constellations in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, stars, galaxies (including the Milky Way), nebulae, astronomical bodies, objects, phenomena, and -- yes -- comets. Night Sky provides a concise guided tour of the heavens with 48 monthly sky charts of the northern sky and 88 constellation charts, each offering a detailed map of individual constellations. Essays on the universe, the solar system, and constellations introduce the reader to the wonders of the sky. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

First among the Best!
The Audubon Society Field Guide to the Night Sky has been for many years one of the best guides to the night sky. With hundreds of full color photographs of our solar system, the constellations as viewed with the unaided eyes, meteors, comets and other wonders of the sky this Field Guide is easy to use (it has a section on how to do it) and provides lots of information for the beginner astronomer, the casual observer, the more advanced amateurs or anyone interested in astronomy. As it is written on the Introduction, the aim of the book is to depict the objects of the night sky visible to binoculars, the unaided eye or small telescopes. Its small format and dew resistant cover make the Guide a perfect companion outdoors and the locating monthly charts are a real help in order to find the way through the stars. I own a 1992 Edition of this Field Guide and I still use it a lot. Later editions come with updated planetary posisitons and longitude tables along with the Messier Catalog list, periodic comet and major meteor shower tables and other useful data indicating past, present and future astronomical events. Definitively, this Guide is the first among the best of its kind!

Publisher for 'Astronomy Throughout the Net' E-Zine
If you are going to get one astronomy book get 'The National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Night Sky'. This book has monthly star charts, moon maps, definitions of objects in space, and gives information about our planets. Did you ever want to know how far Betelgeuse is from earth, why do 12 constellations make up the Zodiac, or how to find M13 in the sky? This is the book for you.

A Stargazer's Delight!
One of my favorite books on the bookshelf, simply because of its easy-to-read format, and information for both the amateur stargazer and serious astronomer. The book covers everything that the curiousity seeker is looking for, with an exhaustive selection of sky charts for each month, a detailed section featuring each constellation with its history and details, and an exciting tour of the solar system and its celestial denizens.
Plenty of information, and just the right amount of photographs, too. A handy guide for everyone curious about the world "up there"!

Everything you want to know, and more
I'm not astronomer, but I can tell that the volume of information in this guide would impress even a hardcore stargazer. The book includes exhaustively detailed descriptions of all notable phenomena visible with a telescope, lists the entire Messier Catalog with descriptions of each item, has comprehensive starcharts meticulously organized by date, and has a description of all the major star constellations. There is also an in-depth analysis of the solar system and a complete scientific background on all the terminology.

A layman reading this guide will come away with enough information to at least sound like an expert on the night sky. There are even some sections on speculative astronomy, such as the nature of black holes and the Big Bang theory. If you are at all interested in astronomy, this is THE guide to get. It will serve as an invaluable counterpart to your telescope, and makes fascinating reading any time. As far as I have seen, there isn't a published guide to compare with this one.

A Treasure of Knowledge
This is one of those books that is somehow packed with meaningful facts but a joy to read. There's also an edition of this that is narrow and has a plastic blue cover -- perfect for sky parties. The sci-fi in me drives me to add: If civilization ceased to exist, I'd want future generations to benefit from this book. ... Read more

Book Description

This fascinating narrative recounts the history of astronomy and, with more than 100 full-color illustrations, it shows readers how to find the planets and constellations in the night sky. In ancient times, people thought that the Sun, Moon, and stars were gods. They recorded their movements and imagined that the stars made pictures in the sky. The Greeks and the Romans related these "pictures" of animals and men—or constellations—to their legends. They also identified planets and named them for their gods—Venus, Mars, Saturn, and Jupiter. Their observations marked the first step in the development of astronomy, which today is a sophisticated science.Modern astronomers have followed the tradition of naming heavenly bodies after ancient gods. For instance, the solar system's outer planets weren't identified until after the telescope's invention, but with their discoveries they were named after Uranus, a Greek god of the sky . . . Neptune, the Roman god of the sea . . . and Pluto, the Roman god of the underworld. The author recounts the legends connected with many constellations, including Aquarius, Aries, Cancer, Orion, and others. This beautifully illustrated book helps readers navigate their way around the night sky as they learn the significance of heavenly bodies' names. Color photos and illustrations throughout. ... Read more

Book Description

Now in full colour throughout, the sixth edition of Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion's famous guide to the night sky is fully revised and updated for planet positions and forthcoming eclipses up to the end of the year 2007. With one chapter for each month of the year, this easy-to-use handbook is an ideal first guide to the sky. It will help the reader to identify constellations, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies and metor showers, to plot the movement of planets, or to witness solar and lunar eclipses. Most of the features discussed are visible to the naked eye and all can be seen with a small telescope or binoculars. The Monthly Sky Guide offers a clear and simple introduction to the skies of the northern hemisphere for beginners of all ages. ... Read more

Book Description

Imagine yourself...
- surprising your friends
- charming a date
- delighting your children
- becoming an astronomy enthusiast
- navigating in a survival situation
- taking your first steps to discovering our place in the universe.

Stikky Night Skies uses a unique learning method to bring a fascinating topic to anyone with an hour to spare. We spent hundreds of hours with dozens of readers testing and refining it to be sure it will work for you.

Includes a comprehensive Next Steps section with guides to the top 12 night sky objects, stargazing equipment, observatories, clubs, free star maps, space and astronomy websites, and more.

Covered by the Stikky Guarantee.

We give ten percent of the profits from this book to projects that use knowledge to help people in need worldwide.

For stargazers in the northern hemisphere. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Easy way to learn to recognize constellations
A simple but effective approach, "Stikky Night Skies" teaches the reader how to recognize six constellations, 4 major stars, a planet, and how to always determine north in the night sky. Besides showing the constellation pattern and describing how to recognize it the book contains multiple pages of actually night skies to practice on. After completing the book it is fairly simple to locate each of the constellations mentioned.

I did have one problem with the book. The gluing method used to attach the cover on my copy was of such poor quality that the cover came off with just one reading. Of course it can just be glued back on with good quality hot glue, but you would expect it to be of better quality from the beginning.

Other than this one caveat, if you want to know how to recognize a handful of constellations that you can use as a base to learn other ones, you can't go wrong with "Stikky Night Skies".

200 black pages with little white dots on it ... that's all?
After all the reviews I read here I expected a lot more. Before I cover the content of this book let me tell you that the binding of this book is pittyful - it fell apart after the first indoor use. The printing quality appears to me like a cheap black and white newspaper print (no pictures or decent draws), just that the paper is somewhat thicker. The book consists only of black pages with wihte dots on it resembling stars. In one or two easy sentences on each page you are supposed to figure constellations. It works and in an hour you are about to find 5 or 6 constellations in the book.
But for whom is this book made for???
Little kids?- No, nothing is explained about stars, solar system, universe etc. Just to find a few constellations won't hold up a kids interest for very long.
The newbie astronomer? - NO. There is no explanation given to nothing. So it is not only that you know nothing about the basics of astronomy, it also fails to live up to it's own expectations. Most people will be surprised that they don't find the constellations they found so easily in the book. Thats because they've been told nothing about the seasonal constallations, the difference between the northern/southern hemisphere, no directions given where to find stuff, nothing about the rotation...
So here comes my personal guess what this book is good for:
If you wanna impress your girlfrind with your newly acquired skills and you want to take no effort... this is it. You just have to be lucky to be in the right place at the right time of the year ... and most importantly, she shouldn't ask any question like "What is this bright misty arc overhead?" , "Is a shooting star a fallen star?". Those questions will embarrasse you to nature, because you couldn't answer them from the content of this book.
Honestly again, get yourself T. Dickinson's "Nightwatch" and you will find all constallations easily and constantly at any time of the year. You will know the answers to all the questions an interested rookie might ask himself.

Connect with our ancestors
Take this book with you on your next trip. Devote an hour to reading it, accept the simple rules, and you will never again look at the night sky in the same way. For thousands of years people examined the night sky with nothing but their eyes, their minds, their hopes and fears. Over time, they learned a remarkable amount about the near heaven. Using this book, you can regain a profound skill that helped our ancestors onto the rocky of civilization. You can learn to see the skies, to understand how space is arrayed. This can be a pleasure in itself or it can be the foundation for a plunge into astronomy. This book offers you a grand chance. After you read the first part, take a blanket, go outside, lie comfortably on the ground, and join our ancestors in the first step into the universe. And there is a bonus: you can learn how to use the sky to orient yourself in your own backyard. This book offers a glimmer of what school should be like.

Fabulous for novice astronomy interests!!!
If you have an interest in the skies above... but don't know where to begin...THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!!

I am a complete novice about our stary nights here on earth...and within 30 minutes "Stikky Night Skies" has provided a basis for me to begin a new adventure and hobby.

If you are searching for a family hobby that can be enjoyed by one and all...this book works for a child and beyond.

My husband's special interest is in quantum science. I asked him if he wanted to have some fun, so I gave him the book. After 30 minutes he looked at me and said.."I'm hooked !! When is the next clear night?".

We are hooked on the night skies thanks to "Stikky Night Skies"!

Great Book
This book at first seemed too simple. Then after buying and reading it, I realized that it was perfect. The book starts slowly, teaching you how to find one star and constellation and then builds on that information. By the end of the book the reader can find several constellations, stars, etc. This information is also presented in such a way that I feel I'll retain the knowledge for life. All-in-all a good book that effectively conveys the information. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Another Classic
This two volume set will certainly join Burnhams three volume set as a long term classic, superior in some ways, but drier and very professional in others. The numerous drawings and charts are priceless in locating deep sky objects. An earlier reviewer is correct in needing a complete sky atlas as well, such as Tirion's, to accompany the immense detail in these two volumes. The leaning toward large aperture is hardly a deficiency. It's a pity both volumes are listed here as "unavailable"....

Both volumes - information among the finest we've ever seen.
If it wasn't for the fact that this work is such an exhaustive expression of observational material, and partially devoted to users of larger telescopes, it would most certainly be placed on the Belmont Society's "Required Reading List". As it is, these two wonderful volumes of information are both extraordinarily useful and educationally priceless for intermediate beginners and the advanced amateur. It is mostly "tilted" at users of larger scopes, but those of us who have an interest in small and medium-sized instruments will greatly appreciate its enormous cache of useful information - i.e.: just double stars alone, to cite an example.

By itself, the data is worth the price of admission. But the foundational text is a bottomless well from which to draw buckets of valuable knowledge about all the known types of deep space objects. This information is compiled in an ideal arrangement, and is laid out in logical and sensible format. Explanations and informative text are among the finest we've ever seen. The sheer quantity of information, along with an exemplary written style gives the impression that this work was composed by scores of eminent astrophysicists and astronomers, all contributing within the realms of their individual specialties, and then edited by a single omnipotent director. And sure enough, there is a lengthy acknowledgment to the contributors, the roster of which is very extensive, and the complexion of which is almost exclusively amateur.

The work is divided into two volumes or seasonal groups - Volume #1 is dedicated to Fall and Winter constellations, and #2 consists of Spring and Summer. Each volume is divided into segments, which present its constellations in alphabetical order. Each constellation begins with an impressively detailed list of double stars. Then there are the deep sky objects - dark nebulae, emission nebulae, globulars, galaxies, etc. Each individual object is given a description and a graphic rating (5 stars for the very best, and so on) with notes that justify its rank. Additionally, objects are listed in chart form by type as well. Sad to say, objects below a minimal southern latitude are not included.

For the most part, object descriptions are presented as seen with apertures between 8 and 12 inches (and larger). Roughly 30 percent of the observations are described as seen with smaller apertures, and some binocular objects are listed as well. As mentioned, the double star listings are superbly done. There are over 2,100 worthy examples of these. This list is among the most detailed we've ever seen.

These are a pair of really big books! There's an interesting but typical reaction displayed upon seeing one close-up for the first time. They dwarf the average encyclopedia edition (remember those?). They are even bigger than the law books you see behind the District Attorney's desk on a TV serial. And we appreciate the hard glossy cover with no separate jacket to rip or lose. They aren't cheap books either. It would seem practical for the amateur on a budget to acquire them separately.

Kepple and Sanner are amateur astronomers who've created a magnificent work, worthy of commendation reserved for meritorious professionals. The magnitude of their efforts is astonishing, even considering that all of it was pieced together from smaller works that they themselves authored quite some time ago. We are so impressed with the quality of this work, that we've given it "Honorable Mention" status on the Belmont Society's "Required Reading" list. The only reason it didn't make the main list is because many amateurs do not have access to, or are deprived of the opportunity or the means to use larger aperture telescopes.

Very highly recommended.

Simply a must buy for large-scope owners
This is the first volume of an incredible deep sky reference work for amateurs. First of all, the introduction written by Craig Crossen (noted astronomer and author) is the finest overview of basic layman's astronomy theory and observing conventions that I have run across.

The rest of the book consists of sketches or photographs and descriptions of hundreds of deep sky objects in all constellations visible from mid-northern latitudes during the Fall and Winter seasons. The second book covers Spring and Summer. Objects are described as to how they appear with telescopes of different apertures. The majority of objects are for large scope owners, e.g. 12"+, but the brighter objects like Messier are even described for 4" scopes.

The maps and finder charts are adequate but you'll need a good star chart to complement them and confirm that you've got your target. Each constellation chapter begins with a table of interesting double and multiple stars, an excellent and thoughtful inclusion for medium-size scope owners who may not be able to see many of the DSOs or for those in cities where DSOs are wiped out by light pollution.

I haven't seen a guide to compare to NSOG in depth of coverage. The two large volumes are enough to keep large scope owners busy for many years. There are nice guides out there with better descriptions of far fewer objects (e.g. The Universe From Your Backyard by Eicher), but for sheer quantity NSOG leaves them all in the dust.

Echo
Let me echo what others have said: this is the best observational reference guide out there for intermediate or advanced observational astronomers. The descriptions are useful but brief, and I really like that it "rates" the objects based on brightness and overall impact. It also lists what it considers to be the showpieces in each constellation. This really helps you to summarize what you are going to look at that evening. I do my homework in this book before going out. I love the linear map on the inside cover, too. For many objects, it describes views you'll see in scopes from a backyard 6" reflector to a 20" (and beyond) dob. The only drawback is that it seems like kind of cheap paper; I'm afraid to take it out in the field and have to deal with the dew.

A top-shelf set of books in my astronomical library.
Finally a set of books that has the amateur with large apeture telescope in mind. The majority of the observations were made with 12-1/2" to 25" telescopes under varied conditions and locations. The drawings are more useful than the usual photographs as drawings with accompanying descriptions and photos accurately reflect what an observer can expect to see at the eyepiece. The multitude of star field charts are useful and the arrangement of objects by constellation is handy as well. Overall, a very good presentation and a work that will prove useful at the telescope in the field. ... Read more

Book Description

A basic field guide for beginning observers of the night sky, introducing information on the locations, names, and characteristics of stars, constellations, and other bodies in outer space. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Compact;concise.
Great little book for the beginner.Portable,so you can take it with you on your nighttime prowling of the universe.Written in a manner that newbies such as myself can understand.A good companion to all my other amateur astronomy books.Inexpensive,as well.Not as comprehensive as those other books,but this is a field guide,and it serves its purpose well.

Doesn't have any information
This book doesn't have any information for the dummy in the astronomy. The book is more like a museum guide to the starts. The information on this book is nothing new and it doesn't teach you about telescopes or related topics.

This is a great little book
The Peterson guide is small and compact, but packed with information. When you can't take a huge volume with you, this fits the bill perfectly. I take it on cycling tours and hiking trips, where it fits nicely in a pannier or pocket. It's easy to understand, too - I gave a copy to my young neice for Christmas last year.

The First Astronomy Book You Should Buy.
Thanks to this book, I am now an amateur astronomer. I have a lot of astronomy resources but this is the one I use over and over again. This book is designed for someone without any experience and is an excellent guide for showing someone where to look. Within just a little while the reader will be looking at galaxies, nebulas, and globular clusters... Bob Flater ... Read more

Reviews (2)

a very decent jumbo planisphere
Pros:

-all plastic (not paper or laminated paper)...won't get soggy if it gets wet
-kids will probably like the jumbo 16" diameter size (it is also available in 11" diameter size)
-useful information on the front and back (like meteor shower dates)
-works for latitudes between 30 and 60 degrees North
-several lesser-known stars are named; for example Zaurak, Sabik and Algorab
-a lot less crowded than smaller planispheres

Cons:

-For its jumbo size, I was expecting more celestial objects & detail...the dimmer, harder-to-find Messier objects are not shown. But it looks like it was designed more for beginners, in which case this makes good sense.
-Messier objects are marked by a letter, and you must flip the planisphere over to 'decipher' the letter. For example, M35 in Gemini is simply labelled as 'H'. It should just be labelled as 'M35' on the front in the first place.
-sometimes the same letter represents two or three seperate Messier objects. For example, M36, M37, and M38 in Auriga are all designated by three seperate letter 'F's. The description on the back distinguishes them seperately, but it's annoying.
-floppy due to it being relatively thin for its size

A planisphere like this is essenial for beginners to learn the night sky. If you are more advanced and need more detail, get a star map (but you'll probably still use your planisphere too).

A Great Way to Learn the Nighttime Sky
For the beginning amateur astronomer there is no better aid to learning the stars and constellations than a planisphere - and I think David Levy's new rendition of this old device is as good as they come.

Basically a planisphere is starmap printed on one of two plastic disks which are joined together in the center and free to rotate. Around the edge of one disk are the days of the year while the other disk has the hours of the day. By setting the time, on one disk, opposite the date on the other, it is possible for you to see the sky, through a window in the top disk, as it would appear at that particular day and time.

There are several thing about David Levy's planisphere that recommend it. To begin with it is BIG, 16 inches in diameter to be precise, and the printing is large and easy to read. Secondly, it is a good representation of the sky showing only those stars visible to the unaided eye. Finally, the reverse side contains information about the Moon, planets, meteor showers and a listing of interesting galaxies and star clusters visible in binoculars or a small telescope. If you are a beginning "Stargazer", or thinking about becoming one, this should be your first acquisition. ... Read more

Book Description

A visual guide to the night sky viewed from around the world. The clearest and sharpest recognition guides to the natural world, Smithsonian Handbooks make identification of individual animals, plants, minerals, and other phenomena sure, simple, and straightforward. Authoritative text, hundreds of crystal--clear charts and photographs, and a simple, jargon--free approach make the Smithsonian Handbook of Stars and Planets the most accessible and comprehensive guide to observing the night sky, suitable both for beginners and experienced astronomers alike. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

DK Publishes Another Great Book
As in all other DK books, colored pictures, photographs, and high-quality gloss paper are found in this book. This book clearly gives a drawing of the constellations, a little history, where it is visible (latitudes), and at the very end, finishes it off with a map of all of the stars from both hemispheres, meaning that you can take this book anywhere in the world and use it! Plenty of information to be found in this book for star gazers. For pros, it's a great reference as it lists individual star names, also, like M2, etc. ... Read more

Book Description

This book assembles for the first time in a single text the full range of astronomical and engineering principles used in the design and construction of large telescopes. It aims to cover all aspects of the field, from the fundamentals of astronomical observation, to optics, control systems, and structural, mechanical, and thermal engineering, as well as such specialized topics as site selection and program management. The book is the result of the collaboration of many leading astronomers, engineers, and project managers. Their contributions have been edited to provide a consistent approach and treatment: for example, ground- and space-based telescopes are treated from a common perspective. Topics covered include: - Design Methods and Project Management - Telescope Optics - Stray Light Control - Structure and Mechanisms - Pointing and Control - Active and Adaptive Optics - Thermal Control - Integration and Verification - Observatory Enclosure and Siting ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Good beginner's guide to constellations & astronomy
This is an excellent starter book for stargazers, and fits into your pocket. ... Read more

Book Description

Exploring the X-Ray Universe describes the view of the stars and galaxies that is obtained through X-ray telescopes. X-rays, which are invisible to human sight, are created in the cores of active galaxies, in cataclysmic stellar explosions, and in streams of gas expelled by the Sun and stars. The window on the heavens used by the X-ray astronomers shows the great drama of cosmic violence on the grandest scale. This account of X-ray astronomy incorporates the latest findings from several observatories operating in space. These include the Einstein Observatory operated by NASA, and the EXOSAT satellite of the European Space Agency. The book covers the entire field, with chapters on stars, supernova remnants, normal and active galaxies, clusters of galaxies, the diffuse X-ray background, and much more. The authors review basic principles, include the necessary historical background, and explain exactly what we know from X-ray observations of the Universe. ... Read more

Book Description

In 1996 Meade, the world's largest astronomical telescope manufacturer, introduced the ETX, a low-cost and genuinely portable instrument capable of results close to the theoretical limits of optical performance. Since then several different models have been introduced, most of them controlled by on-board computers that automatically point the telescope at objects selected from a database of 12,000. Unfortunately not all these objects are visible when looking through the ETX! (They are included because they can be imaged with special equipment.) Mike Weasner is a world-renowned expert on the ETX range, and describes the "best" 100 objects to start with, and offers hints and tips about using and looking after the telescope to get the best possible results. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Bad
I eagerly awaited this book, but then I deeply regretted that I've bought it. It's definitely not worth the paper. Well, the book contains everything I knew before, but all I want to know in addition (and there is still a lot!) is not adequately addressed. Very sparse technical information, no drawings, bad illustrations, no hints at all, nothing but ridiculously simple explanations.
In summary, there is no need to buy this book, except for a very beginner.

I would love a good ETX book - but this is not it
I wanted to like this book, but unfortunately it's not worth the paper it's printed on. There is more and better information available free on Mike Weasner's terrific website (referenced on almost every page of the book). Nor does the book provide a valuable and handy reference - the long text articles about tuning the scope etc lack diagrams, illustrations, useful pictures... I almost laughed when the Seasonal Name Star Charts appeared several to a page and so small as to be utterly useless. Want to know how to carry your ETX outside? This book is for you. Want to know anything about accessories, programming the AutoStar, what the inside of the ETX looks like, CCD imaging, or similar topics? Forget it, it's not in there. Conclusion: If you want a good astronomy book, consider "The Backyard Astronomer's Guide" or "NightWatch". If you want ETX-specific information, visit Mike Weasner's website. And save your money until a useful ETX book is published - there is a need for one, but unfortunately this is not it.

Mike Weasner -- the Champion of ETX owners
This eagerly awaited book has finally arrived! Best of all, it is specifically directed to those of us who own and you use one of the Meade ETX scopes. It is an essential tool/accessory for anyone who uses an ETX to view the universe, and I'm sure others will no doubt find it helpful, as well. For those of us familiar with Mr. Weasner's site on the Internet, we all know that it is an invaluable source of information for any amateur astronomer, regardless of level of experience or equipment used. There is something for everyone, from the very first-time night sky watcher, to the novice beginner or the advanced user of the most complex and expensive gear available. As many times as I will return to that web site, now I have a handy, well organized, clearly written and equally useful compendium of information that I can carry with me and read anywhere at all (without having to download page after page and print, to bring with me in the field, or elsewhere). Great features are the wonderfully organized table of contents and useful index to quickly locate the kinds of things I want to know while using the book as a reference, whether away from the scope, or actually out observing the stars and celestial bodies, etc. The book is a "fast read" if you choose to 'devour' it that way (I did!) Thanks Mike!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Stars and Planets is a sturdy, thorough field guide for amateur astronomers. The book's first section is a general introduction to astronomy. A solar system primer and constellation catalog are followed by a month-by-month night sky guide. Filled with clear, easy-to-read star charts, photos, and diagrams, this is the perfect starter for beginning astronomers, and a handy reference for those with a little more experience. You'll find information on stargazing equipment, a glossary of terminology, and the history of each cosmic feature's discovery. Like all the Eyewitness Handbooks, this one will be a terrific addition to your family science library. --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Outstanding for novice or intermediate amateur astronomers
If you own only one astronomy field guide, this should be it. The charts are accurate & easy to read, the text is informative but not overpowering, and the design is very reader friendly. The monthly star charts can be used from most latitudes - both northern and southern.
This is the third edition of this book. I've been a fan of it since it was first published in the mid 1980s.

Nice coffee table book
I found this book to be interesting, but not in-depth enough for intermediate astronomers. The information on the planets is overly simplistic and for entertainment purposes. For example, instead of having a graph of basic information for every planet, sometimes it lists essential information (like orbital period) and sometimes it doesn't which makes it useless as a reference.

I suggest it for the younger prospective amateur, but for older users get the Peterson's Field Guide: Stars and Planets. Very sturdy build and good guide for charting the planets.

Nice starter book...
This is a nice, streamlined book. Logical layout, sharp photography, and a clean, crisp design. The first portion discusses the universe and stars (addressed below), and is followed by another section that provides a 2-4 page profile on each planet, including when and where in the sky it's visible until 2009. Following these sections, is a large section covering all the official constellations in alphabetical order with at least one interesting item to check out from each constellation. Obviously, some have more: Sagitarius, Scorpius, Orion, etc. A brief constellation history is provided, along with a small map depicting the constellation stars, surrounding stars, and objects of particular interest. These objects are coded with simple icons to denote "viewability": naked eye, bino, scope, etc. The last section of the book has monthly sky maps. I purchased the flex-cover edition, which is made of some quasi-vinyl material that's quite nice. The book itself seems well made and durable. Why only 4 stars? I have two issues.#1, I wish it were spiral bound.#2, it's not as forthright about its hypothetical aspects as it should be (planetary core composition, Big Bang mechanics, Oort Cloud (!), etc.)Other than that, the book is highly recommended and a pleasure to read/use.

So Simple, Even I Can Find What I'm Looking For!
I am one of those people who has trouble finding specific constellations, and is never quite sure whether I'm looking at Jupiter or Venus.I carry around little scraps of paper from the newspaper so I can figure out which planets are visible . . . but have a hard time reading the scraps in the dark.

With this book, I can see when and where each planet will appear through 2012.I can also get all the help I need to know what constellations are up there now, and which ones will be present when.

As a result, I can finally introduce the starry heavens in an appropriate way to younger people.I already know a lot about astronomy, but the night sky was beyond me.No longer!Whew!

Although my four children did not get much help with the heavens from me, the grandchildren will receive great benefits from this resource.

Even if you are good at identifying objects in the night sky, this book will be a valuable, convenient reference for you.

Enjoy the lore that our ancestors appreciated by seeing new aspects of the night-time sky!

Great intro and continuing reference
This was the first book I bought on this topic and it provided a great introduction to the night sky with its constellations, the solar system and the universe.

I have since then purchased other more advanced books, but I continue to use this one regularly as a quick and convenient source for information on various constellations and its monthly sky charts which point out interesting things to observe for a given period.

This makes a great first book along with Terence Dickinson's "Nightwatch".

I am puzzled why the reading level is indicated at ages 9-12 on this web page. There is no such mention on the book itself, nor do I find that the book talks down to adults, so don't be put off by this age notice. ... Read more