Amazon.com

Norton's Star Atlas is the most famous astronomicalreference in the world, having guided thousands of professional andamateur stargazers in their search of the night skies. The 1998 editionis completely revised and expanded, with maps drawn to standard epoch2000.0, using computer techniques to achieve unprecedented accuracy.You'll find every object visible to the naked eye, as well as starclusters, galaxies, and other celestial objects. Norton's alsoincludes indispensable observation hints and technical explanations,with pointers to other information sources. Whether you're using atelescope, binoculars, or just your eyes, Norton's is your guideto what's up there. --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Room for improvement, but excellent nonetheless
Norton's has weaknesses which other reviewers have pointed out, to be sure, but a tremendous advantage is its layout of the star charts. Unlike most other charts out there, it shows huge swaths of the sky (60 degrees north to 60 degrees south, and well over 4 hours in RA) just as you see them when you're out in the dark trying to get oriented in Deep Heaven. Other charts show little chunks of sky--Norton's shows just what you see in a great wide band from well behind the zenith to further south than most of us will ever see.

And as someone else pointed out, the reference material interleaved between the sky charts, though not exhaustive, is very useful. I use Norton's constantly along with the Sky Atlas 2000 and Burnham's Celestial Handbook (and websites to update Burnham's data), and the combination of the three is perfect for most of my own observing. I have dozens of other books on my shelves but these are the ones I rely on.

For teaching astronomy I substitute the Audubon Field Guide to the Night Sky for the Sky Atlas and Burnham's, and my students love it because Norton's helps them find their way around the sky and the Field Guide description of the constellations tells them about what they see. If I were stranded on a desert island (hope, hope) and couldn't take my beloved and well-annotated Sky Atlas 2000 and Burnham's, I'd take Norton's and the Audubon Field Guide as a very good substitute. I always recommend Norton's, the Audubon Field Guide, and binoculars to beginners--the Sky Atlas 2000, Burnham's, and a telescope can come later (or sooner, for the passionate).

Ignore 1 Star reviews
Just because this book isn't "pretty" is a lame reason not to buy it.The star charts are not meant so much for telescopic work as to give you a naked-eye reference.Sometimes, not having a million stars crammed onto two pages is nice.No self-respecting astronomer (apparently the 1 stars aren't) would be without this book.Heck, even the editor of Sky & Telescope uses it...

As another point, the star charts only comprise about 15% of this book.The "Reference Handbook" is where this is a gem.The lists of objects to view interspersed between the star charts are invaluable as are the 100+ pages of astronomical information.If you skip this book because two reviewers gave it one star (while the others gave it a 4 or 5) you don't deserve it.Sure, the information concise, but when you're out at night, reading through fluff isn't what you want to do...

This is probably a book to buy after you've stuck to the hobby for a year and know yo're hooked :)

Clear skies!

PS Never trust people who only buy things based on how "pretty" they look...

Aged like a fine wine.
Norton's simply keeps getting better.Earlier editions nurtured multiple generations of amateur (and not so amateur) stargazers.This latest edition is a concise, complete atlas AND reference.The Sky Atlas 2000 orCambridge Star Atlas are also fine road maps to the skies.An even betterbargain is the Bright Star Atlas 2000 (Wil Tirion did all three and is topsas a celestial cartographer), but all lack the wealth of other referenceinformation that is contained in Norton's.

The style is definitly in theSgt. Friday mode: "Just the facts".But there are so many ofthem!Page after page of succinctly written information on practicalastronomy, the solar system, moon, deep-sky objects, etc.

For anevening looking at the heavens, if you don't want to carry around the locallibrary, this one volume easily suffices.

Just say No to this relic
Forget this lame outdated atlas.For a beginner's atlas, try Wil Tirion's "The Cambridge Star Atlas" instead.This includes a similar limiting magnitude of stars, but plots many more deep sky objects (andgives many common names as well, completely lacking on Norton's maps). Thegraphics and printing are much cleaner in Tirion's tome, and deep skyobjects are color-coded.

The moon atlas in Norton looks like a badphotocopy of a photograph.And Norton's star charts go right into thegutter.Just try to get a look on Map 5/6 at delta Orionis (thewesternmost star in Orion's belt).The Reference Handbook in Norton is OK,but beginners should try Terence Dickinson's "Nightwatch" and"The Backyard Astronomer" instead.Sure, Norton was great forits time, but who wants to drive a Model T today?

The best beginner's star atlas
Norton's was the first star atlas I ever used, 42 years ago, and it is still the atlas I go to for a general orientation to the sky.Over the years the maps have improved in quality, and the text has been brought upto date.It is one of the top two or three books I recommend to beginnersin astronomy. ... Read more

Book Description

Practical Skywatching is part of a four-book series, The Nature Companions; practical guides to observing and appreciating the wonders of the natural world. This spectacular series provides readers with a thorough understanding of topics such as skywatching, birding, natural habitat gardening, and rocks and fossils.Written in clear, accessible text by acclaimed scientists and specialists in each field, each book contains a wealth of images by the world's foremost photographers and detailed, specially commissioned illustrations. Designed for enthusiasts of all ages, The Nature Companions series is a comprehensive source of reference that belongs in the personal library of all those who are curious to learn more about the world around them. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

If I could have only one astronomy book, this would be it!
If I had to choose only one book on astronomy, this would be it. It contains monthly skycharts, magnitude 6 constellation charts for every constellation, 20 magnitude 8 starhopping adventures, and 8 pages of moon maps. In addition it contains a wealth of articles about such subjects as: planets, nebulas,telescopes, the history of astronomy, the space program, and explanations of a multitude of astronomy terms.

The book dedicates one or two pages to each constellation. Each constellation map shows the double stars, variable stars, open clusters, globular clusers, planetary nebula, difuse nebula, galaxies and quasars in the constellation and the surrounding area. The maps are blue background with the stars in yellow, and are easily readable at night. Along with the constellation map, there is a brief description of some of the noteable sites in that constellation. In the field you just need to find the constellation in the sky with the help of the monthly skychart, flip to that constellation in the book, and have fun finding all of its treasurers.

This book is a great field guide, as well as a great book to enjoy on those cloudy nights. Even if you are not a starwatcher, half the book is devoted to articles that will interest even the armchair astronomer.

For those who like a bargain, this book is like getting two books for the price of one. This volume is a compilation of the best of the books "Skywatching" and "Advance Skywatching". Each of these books is good in its own right, and now "Practical Skywatching" brings them together in one outstanding volume.

This is a information-packed book
This is a information-packed book. It's divided in nine chapters, but in fact you can see three parts:

The first part, with text and a lot of color pictures covers the basics of every subject you can imagine regarding sky watching: Binoculars, telescopes, cities and urban skies, software, history, every planet, binary stars, eclipses etc. etc. etc. always in just two or four pages.

The second part covers every constellation in the sky, in
alphabetical order (one constellation per page), with stars up to 6th (I guess) magnitude, highlighting the most interesting stars, nebulae etc., each one of the included features has a symbol (in the text below the map) so you can know at a glance if it is to be seen at naked eye, with binoculars or with a telescope. I should mention that it also has a 12 general skycharts, so you can always use the one according to your latitude and time of the year.

And the third part ("the Starhopping Guide") are 20 selected sectors of the sky, including stars up to 8th magnitude (deep-sky objects up to 12.5) with text and photos regarding deep sky features, double stars, nebulae etc. etc. Useful: constantly the text points out what you can expect to see with a given telescope (4", 6", 8" lens diameter).

And I have some mixed additional comments:
-I think every picture has been thoughtfully selected (no pictures just to fill space, as I've seen in other books).
-The sky maps are made by Will Tirion (so you can expect that

there is what should be there, and nothing less).
-There is a small map showing the path of sun eclipses until year 2015
-The moon is covered in 8 pages, featuring some 300 craters, mares etc.
-I liked the section about "in store test" for choosing binoculars.
-I was a little bit disappointed that the "Starhopping guide" includes many features for telescopes with an aperture of 8", and up to 16"... (of course, this is because I have a 5" aperture telescope!)
-The book itself has an uncommon size: about 6 1/2" x 11", so it's still handy to take it outdoors, but large enough to include sky maps of reasonable size.
-I see that this book includes in few words a lot of information that I've read in more detail somewhere else. I wonder how this will be taken for someone who this is her/his first skywatching book. It could be preciously treasured for years... or it could bore the the poor reader: Who knows?.
And finally, at the price offered here, it's a steal! ... Read more

Book Description

The Observer's Sky Atlas contains star charts and information for all those who observe the night sky with unaided eyes, with binoculars, or with small telescopes, and also for those who just wish to look at constellations and interesting objects. Equally useful for the beginning observer and the old hand, the atlas presents:

( a short introduction into observing the sky and a thorough description of the star charts and tables;

( clearly arranged charts of all the stars (up to 6th magnitude) visible with the unaided eye;

( enlarged chart sections (including all stars to magnitude 9) for binocular observation, highlighting 250 interesting nebulae, galaxies, and stellar clusters;

( a catalog of more than 1000 objects that takes into account the far-reaching measurements of the Hipparcos Satellite published in 1997;

( tables of predicted separations of binary stars through the year 2015.

The Observer's Sky Atlas is an indispensable and handy companion for every observer and has already appeared in four languages. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

A must-have sky atlas for the small scope user
Talk about complete information in a small package! This is it! I was amazed at the amount of GOOD, useful information packed between the 134 pages of this thin, almost-pocket-sized handbook. The black-and-white star charts to magnitude 6 are excellent, with magnified views to magnitude 9 as seen through a small telescope. Each chart covers a small, manageable area of the celestial sphere, with 24 charts (one for each hour of Right Ascension)for the Equatorial/Ecliptic region, 12 for the Northern sky, 12 for for the Southern sky, and one each for the poles. Vital, easy-to-read information on bright stars, variable stars, multiple stars, clusters, nebulae, and galaxies is included. The introduction is concise, but very thorough. I highly recommend this atlas for use in the field by any amateur astronomer.

Added 10/23/2003: I Added thumb-index tabs to the three index pages; "Nebulae" (including Messier and NGC objects), "Stars" (by name), and "Constellations". I also tabbed each section, noting charts numbered N1, E1, E12, and S1 to help me flip quickly to the right page. It make the book more useful on a dark, cold, dewy night under the stars.

IF YOU BUY ONLY ONE STAR ATLAS, GET THIS ONE!
Looks small and unimpressive, but WOW! By far the most useful single sky guide I've found. What makes it special? First, the trick of showing additional detail and fainter stars for only selected areas of the sky, along with full-sky coverage of brighter stars...if you use binoculars or a telescope to hunt down faint objects, you will see lots of faint stars too, and showing them on the charts is a big help to orient you. Second, the scaling of the charts and of the plotted stars is unusually well matched to what you actually see through binoculars or a telescope at low power, making it easy to match your eyepiece view to what the chart shows. (Indeed, I find it superior to either the Sky Atlas 2000.0 or Uranometria--much larger and more expensive charts--in that regard.) Third, the format of listing interesting objects with associated data on pages facing each map is very useful and convenient. Fourth, the inclusion of hundreds of NGC objects besides the full Messier list makes this a reference that a beginner will not soon outgrow, and a veteran will continue to find it useful through the years. Fifth, the information regarding the types of instruments needed to view each object (small binoculars, large binos, small scope, medium scope) is the most accurate and practical I've seen. Sixth, it's so portable you can take it out on every viewing session--it even fits into a binocular case. Downside? Only that so few dealers carry it! ...and you've found one here. Good work, Amazon.

This little Star Atlas is Top Notch!
I like this Atlas because it is handy and complete, in a small package. Whether I am using my 10" Dob reflector telescope, or my 7x50 binoculars, this Atlas is with me.

One problem I had when I started in the hobby of astronomy was finding star charts showing dim stars to "steer" or star-hop my telescope by. The charts showing very dim stars are expensive and too detailed. Less-expensive and more popular star atlases were not detailed enough to find my way among the stars.

This Atlas solves the problem by offering, right on the chart page, a handy, detailed inset showing the dimmer stars in the immediate area of many objects sought out by star-gazers.

Give this Star Atlas a try; it is simple to use, handy in size, and accurate. It will enhance your star-gazing experience. Thank you, E. Karkoschka!

The most useful reference I have ever purchased!
This little gem comes with me to every observing session. It is very easy to use it to star-hop and identify faint fuzzies with my 8" dob. The information and layout is extremely reader-friendly and has good visibility under a red light. The pages are organized so that it is easy to find the section of sky you are interested in very quickly. A lot of dew has formed and dried on its pages, and I hope to use it for years to come!

The best of both worlds
I shopped & researched long and hard before I bought a new star atlas. I paged through every one I could find, but I had never seen this one in-person. All of the glowing online reviews sold me - and I ordered it. Initially I was disappointed. However, the more I looked through it - and evaluated its contents - my opinion change for the positive.

It's handy & convenient (small sized & nice for use at the scope). It details stars to magnitude 6 (naked eye limit is 5.2 - 6.0). The book includes detailed insets on each chart detailing stars to magnitude 9 (a magnitude limit only found in the "big boy" atlases). And I found the data tables - opposite each page's chart - concise yet informative.

Drawbacks: sometimes it's too small (one cannot get a "regional feel"). Sometimes it's annoying that a constellation or "region" of the sky is split over two different charts (because the charts are organized in "sidereal time", e.g. Andromeda is Chart "N0" but Pegasus is chart "E23"; Ursa Major is chart "N8" and "N10").

Is there a perfect star atlas? Unfortunately, "No". But this little guide has a little of everything for the amateur astronomer. If you're comet hunting, well ... buy an atlas like the Herald-Bobroff . But for the armchair astronomer up to the amateur with an 4"-8" telescope, this little atlas fills a niche that wasn't completely filled before it came along. And when used with other aids in the field - like a good planisphere for that "regional feel" - it's extremely valuable.

Some of you very serious observers might need another, larger atlas for reference and/or desk use. However, you can't go wrong with this little book. Call it a professional atlas that's been on a strict diet. Lean & mean. Someday you might find this little book on one of those "sandwich commercials" - look out Jared :))

P.S.: This atlas deserves at least a 4-star rating; it could easily be a 5-star rating depending upon the user's need(s). ... 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

Reviews (5)

Excellent for learning about Astronomy
If you just want a working knowledge of Astronomy, and you want it quickly and easily, read this book first. I think you'll be impressed with how much information is there, and how understandable it is. I know I am!

If you want comprehensive up-to-date coverage of the meterial, you can find other sources later.

When my children have a question about the sky, this is where we go. We were driving home one night and my son asked me if I had ever seen a shooting star. Actually, I was surprised he HADN'T ever seen one. I explained about Meteor Showers and asked if he wanted to know when the next one was. We got out this book and looked it up. He was so interested he read the entire book, and now I catch him explaining things to his brothers and sisters. This book has a TON of information.

An extremely concise intro to amateur astronomy
I first read this book at the age of 13, just getting into astronomy. I would agree that the book could use a little updating: sections on catadioptrics, newer eyepieces, apochromats, and Dobsonians would be helpful. However, the core of the book -- how to navigate the night sky with a telescope and actually see stuff -- remains a very thorough and classic work. I re-read my dog-eared copy probably twice a year just to review the fundamentals. You really can't find as concise a introductory text to amateur astronomy anywhere.

Dated, but still one of the best beginners guides
I've been a pretty active amateur astronomer for the past 34 years. I would agee with the first reviewer "The Sky Observer's Guide" is dated and in need of new material covering Catadioptric systems (Schmidt-Cassegrain,Maksutov)and the just as popular Dobsonian now so ubiquitous among those who like me build their own systems. This has not occured I believe because possibly all the original authors have passed on. But after saying that, if your just getting into astronomy, this is still one of best guides to getting started with a small telescope around. It tells you what you can observe, how to do it, and what to expect. You could easily buy a dozen other popular guides now on the market that won't cover as much material, as clearly, as the Mayalls, Jerome Wyckoff,and John Polgreen put into the 160 pages of this little book. I still have the 1965 edition I bought when I was 12 in 1966, and though I've gone way past the material covered, I've kept it as a sentimental favorite because I probobly learned as much from it early on as I have from any other single source since then. So Golden Guide, if your looking at these reviews, add something about the two telescope types I've mentioned above and maybe something about CCD cameras too, but please don't drop anything from this still great little book!

Very good astronomy introduction, but now out of date.
We used this book for many years in our college introductory astronomy laboratories. Provides an an excellent introduction to astronomical observing. Well illustrated and includes star maps and positions of objects. However, the book needs updating. The positions are given in 1950 coordinates, planetary positions are listed only for years near the publication date, and no mention is made of Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes that are now popular with amateurs.

Good, small astronomy handbook for young people.
Pictures and graphs on every page. All topics of astronomy presented in a concise, easy-to-understand way for children or adults. Includes a list of dates for repeating meteor showers. Low price. Frequently found in used book stores or thrift stores. ... Read more

Book Description

THE AMATEUR STARGAZER'S ULTIMATE HOME COMPANION

365 Starry Nights is a unique and fascinating introduction to astronomy designed to give you a complete, clear picture of the sky every night of the year. Divided into 365 concise, illustrated essays, it focuses on the aesthetic as well as the scientific aspects of stargazing. It offers the most up-to-date information available, with hundreds of charts, drawings, and maps-that take you beyond the visible canopy of stars and constellations into the unseen realm of nebulae and galaxies.

This simple yet substantial text is full of critical information and helpful hints on how to observe the stars; describe their position; calculate their age, brightness, and distance; and much more. Whether you observe the sky with a telescope or the naked eye, 365 Starry Nights makes the infinite intimate and brings the heavens within your grasp. Keep this invaluable, informative guide close at hand, and you'll find that the sky is the limit 365 nights a year. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Burnham's in Miniature
I love it! Chet Raymo imbues this delightful book with reverence, understanding, wonder, joy, science, and legend all at once. He guides you through the sky night by night, acquainting you with the major constellations and pointing out objects of beauty, interest, and mystery throughout. Best of all, he confines himself to subjects you can see with the naked eye or a very modest telescope; he never sets you up for disappointment by taunting you with things you'd need a huge telescope and infinite patience to see, and wouldn't believe you'd found even then. Raymo's artwork reflects his love of the sky, drawing as much from history, mythology, and imagination as from science. Nevertheless, he also lucidly presents science that's missing from hordes of more pretentious books. I defy anyone who's curious about astronomy to read this book and not be infected by Raymo's enthusiasm.

To me, "365 Starry Nights" reflects the same spirit as Robert Burnham's timeless "Celestial Handbook," while addressing an audience daunted by the prospect of 2,100 pages. For readers caught between H. A. Rey's brilliant "Where the Stars Are" and Burnham's magnum opus, "365 Starry Nights" has no equal. If it had an index, it would be perfect.

This book is a bit cloudy at times
I purchased this book with the hopes of getting into binocular astronomy. I realize that binocular astronomy is great, but you need more than this book. It contains good information, however, it's a bit elementary in many places. For example, one entry talks about how it's the earth that spins and not the stars, and that was it. It seems like the book covers a topic that would normally take up 2 pages of text and breaks it up into 5 starry nights. What that means is that topics continue from one day to the next, forcing you to read onward (and depending on where you jump in....backwards too). It does give great illustrations of the constellations as far as giving you a picture of what Orion would look if he were a person. It also covers some mythology about the constellations, and that makes for interesting reading. There are no star charts in this book. At best it's hand drawn stars, so purchasing a star chart is a definite plus. You can pick one up for about 10 bucks. Since the book is broken up into 365 days, its organization is a bit frustrating. For example, if you want to look at nebulas, you open the contents of the book and see that all that's listed is January...page 1, February...page 19...etc... The glossary provides some help, but doesn't even list what a nebula is, so it's VERY limited (2 pages) (On some items it references you back to pages in the book). However, on the good parts of this book. It's written so that a child can understand it, so if you're older than 10, you'll get the concept. I would suggest purchasing an additional book as a companion to this book. It's contains good info, but you're a little at the mercy of the book due to the organization of it. If you have young children, this would be an excellent book to take out with you and learn together. It's good for adults too, but is just elementary. I guess depending on the person and your purpose, that can be good, or that can be bad.

More than 365 Nights
Not knowing what books on astronomy are good or not, I just happened to pull this book out of the sea of astronomy literature. Fortunately, I hit the jackpot.

From beginning to end, there is something new and exciting to learn. Understandable enough for a child, yet exciting enough for an adult. It will spur the beginner on to dig deeper and deeper.

One caveat: If you are anything like me, you won't be content to read just one day's entry at a time, but will end up reading the whole book through!

Very complete but with rough spots.
This is a somewhat disorganized, but very good beginners volume. Suffers from inconsistent provision of star and constellation pronunciations in last few months, occasional lapses of continuity between dated text and figures, lots of repetition - the latter not all bad for beginners. Cygnus figures far overdone in quantity - appeared on 14 of the 17 pages for August . October month section contains outstanding explanation and illustrations of celestial sphere and stellar movements with respect to observers location, and extremely useful and lucid graphic and textual explanation of RA, declination, azimuth and elevation relationships. Best I have seen in other volumes, mostly of much higher price. Got the impression Ramo got tired of the project along about September when things started going a bit downhill on pronunciations and content. Altogether a good buy for beginners.

Lightweight, enjoyable reading.
This is a strange book. It's partly strange that I got the book for $... plus shipping two weeks ago, but now that free shipping is offered, the price has gone up to $.... In either case, you get what you pay for. The 365 day paradigm is cute but sort of trite. The material in the monthly groups is appropriate to the month, never mind the days, very interesting, and the figures basic. The figure formats and content are almost identical to those in the excellent "Stars" book by Rey, which Ramo offers as a reference, and the contents of which are pretty much repeated or paraphrased, spread amongst the 365 day notes in Ramo's book. Brief notes, not essays in most cases - but interesting. I can only think of something like six or seven other books that contain similar or more material, but in much cleaner and more scientific form with useful indexing not contained in Ramo's book, with lovely colored figures, - but their total cost is higher in some cases. Beginning readers with binoculars or small telescopes will search in vain for many of the deep space objects discussed by Ramo since many are not visible without large apertures. There is one instance under May 23rd where Sigma Octans is mentioned as near the southern celestial pole, but is not shown on the nearby figure of the pole area which shows four other stars. You need to search a page or two around some of the daily notes to find the illustration which goes with the discussion. The book could have used a good editor, a little more polish, and some indication of which of the objects mentioned are not visible to the naked eye, binocs, or a small scope. The other reviewers were correct that you need a real star chart to go with this book. The book "Skywatching", by Levy, sold by Amazon at a lower price than this one, is a far better choice. There is some interesting verbiage in this book, but the book is for enjoyable, very light reading, not for skywatching. I enjoyed reading it, but I take a Levy, Tirion, or Dickinson pub out with my eyes, my binocs, or any telescope to look into space. Enter those authors in the Amazon Search engine space and you'll find a lot of better choices for amateur astronomy. Save this one for a fun read on cloudy nights by the fire, and then give it to a grand child which is where mine is going. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Steve O'Meara has been called "the best visual planetary observer of modern times." The first to spot Comet Halley on its return in 1985, the first to determine the rotation period of Uranus, he now turns his amazing visual skills to the deep sky.

Charles Messier was one of the best comet hunters of the 1700s, with 12 comet discoveries to his credit. He was frustrated because he kept wasting time looking at fuzzy objects that turned out not to be comets. The list he kept and published of "things that aren't comets" turned out to be his ticket to immortality.

Amateur astronomers of all ages enjoy tackling the Messier catalogue members, because they represent a good sampling of what's "out there," and because finding them helps to hone observing skills. In a sense, the Messier objects are the testing grounds for budding skywatchers.

O'Meara's guide is unique in conveying his approach to observing: "It's an approach based on creative perception and on using the imagination to see patterns and shapes in the subjects seen through the eyepiece. It involves using not just your eye but also your mind's eye to associate those patterns and shapes with things that are familiar with you, to create pictures and even stories." With O'Meara as your docent, you will truly appreciate the art of the universe. --Mary Ellen Curtin ... Read more

Reviews (17)

This book is an essential guide to the budding astronomer.
I am new to the hobby of astronomy and have been reading every book I can get my hands on. While I have come across several books that filled me in on planatary and lunar observations, these books were lacking in their descriptions of the Messier objects. Oh, I knew I should take a look at these celestial treasures. But which ones? And what would they really look like? Thank God for O'Meara's book! It was an unfortunate discovery for me that the pictures I see of various nebulas and galaxies are not the same views I will encounter in my 8-inch Newtonian reflector. (The cameras bring out more detail or the pictures are taken on bigger scopes.) However, what O'Meara does is describe each member of Charles Messier's 18th century catalogue, enclose a black and white photo, and then a detailed sketch of what he saw through a 4-inch telescope. The book is in numerical order so finding the various objects is very easy. When I am planning a night of observing, I simply leaf through the book, find some interesting objects and then check to see if they will be out that night. I can then study his descriptions so that I will know what I am looking for. Fantastic! This is essential for any beginning astronomer and I dare say it would be an interesting read for non-observers as well.

The new standard in Messier Guide Books
At first I was reluctant to buy this new book because I already own several Messier books. However, the author has clearly established this book as a must have for amateur astronomers that are interested in deep sky objects. The key to the success of the book is a combination of the text, photos, excellent finder charts, and the unique drawings. The author writes in a personal style and adds many new ways to observe and view deep sky objects, ie appreciate the messiers. This book in combination with the recently published "year round messier marathon" by pennington will allow relatively new amateur astonomers to locate and observe galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae.

An Essential "Backyard Astronomer's Reference".
When well known 18th century comet hunter , Charles Messier , compiled a list of "confusing objects" in 1774 , little did he think that the list would outlive his fame as the "comet ferret". The list ultimately reached 110 objects that appeared comet-like in the primitive refracting telescopes of Messier's day. The first inkling that these non-stellar objects were a facinating collection of star clusters , gaseous nebulae , and galaxies was the work of Sir William Herschel , who was able to resolve many of these hazy and mysterious objects into clusters of stars.

The author , Steven O'Meara , has carefuly observed all 110 objects with a 4" telescope from one of the darkest and clearest observing sites on Earth , the island of Hawaii , on the slopes of Mauna Kea. I really shake my head in wonder at the drawings the author has produced ; could anyone REALLY see these objects THAT well? I remain a little doubtful.

The book , nevertheless , has some rather small scale star charts to assist the backyard astronomer in finding these objects. Also provided is a B&W photograph , along with an "artistic" sketch by the author.

One thing I generally find fault with in these "observing guides" is the level of optimism conveyed to the average user re: the visibility of the object through any class of instrument , whether binoculars , telescope , or the naked eyeball. I personally believe that really experienced observers wildly overstate what neophytes can expect to see at any given time.

With that little rant aside , this is still a book that should be on the shelf of any budding backyard astronomer. "Four stars" is really a gift on my part--realistically 3 1/2 stars , but one of the few up-to-date pictorial and reasonably scientific books on the subject available today.

Messier for the terminally bored observer
I think an opposing opinion is a healthy thing, and here you have one. Here we have a book, not for the interested amateur who wishes to famaliarize him/herself with the topic, but for the experienced observer who has become so terminally bored that a heaping helping of fantasy is required to perk up the interest somewhat. For the observer wishing to learn, the "maps" in this book are the worst available and essentially worthless for someone not already reasonably famaliar with where to find these things. For the rest of us who don't live on a volcano in the middle of the Pacific ocean, no info is provided as to the conditions or aperture required to view a given object. O'Meara goes to considerable length to provide a sales pitch for the Televue Genesis, but the piddly photos featured in the book come from God only knows where -- definitely not O'Meara's scope; O'Meara couldn't even keep the photos to some kind of consistent scale, so the learning observer might go away thinking that M3 is three times the size of M13. In fact, the photos in the book are among the worst available. O'Meara tries to sell this deficiency by saying that he wanted to show what you would see in your telescope. The only problem with this is that the photos come from no "standard" telescope -- such as a 6 or 8 inch job -- and, for the most part, are not representative of what one will see in such a scope. I kept getting the feeling that O'Meara's whole purpose in writing this book was to tell us what a wonderful observer he is. The descriptions are indeed fanciful, wildly so in some cases. In comparing some of the hand drawings with the piddly photos, I was left wondering if maybe O'Meara's eyesight was influenced more by what he wanted to say he saw rather than the light emmanating from the object. And if O'Meara truly wanted the reader to gain some appreciation for fine detail present in an object, one has to ask if O'Meara ever heard the saying: A picture is worth a thousand words? For the hopelessly bored observer, or possibly for the snob, this book might be of some benefit. For the newbie needing a good, factual guide to finding, observing, and learning about the Messier objects, this book offers nearly worthless maps, the worst photography around, and instructions (maybe) on finding the object that will leave the less experienced amateur in the dark.

Pretty good book.
I have both this book and "The Caldwell Objects". These are both good books to have if you are an amateur astronomer (armchair included). I found both books an interesting read and pretty enjoyable. Probably the ONLY thing I hate about both books is that Mr. O'Meara is looking at these object from atop Kilauea on the Big Island whilst I fight the skyglow of New Jersey. I had been atop Haleakala and Kilauea but sans telescope. Ugh... I am so envious... Besides that fun books to read all the same. ... Read more

Book Description

An introductory illustrated and comprehensive guide to observing and understanding the night sky.

This book provides a survey of science's growing understanding of space and includes details of the latest space probes. The most recent photographs from the world's finest observatories and space-based cameras capture the wonder and beauty of the universe.

Astronomy covers a wide variety of heavenly phenomenon: - Distant stars - Planets of the Solar System - Comets and shooting stars - Eclipses - Black holes.

Vivid cross-sections of the planets with a concise description and a chart of their relative distance from the sun provide at-a-glance information. A series of monthly sky charts point out constellations, star clusters, galaxies, nebula and more.

The sky maps use easy-to-read symbols to identify open and globular star clusters, galaxies and planetary nebula. The constellations are labeled and diagramed. Spectacular images of space phenomenon are further explained with colorful digital graphics.

Nebula, clusters, galaxies, etc. are profiled with color images and short descriptions. A pictograph tells whether binoculars or a telescope is required.

Astronomy is a fascinating and easy-to-use illustrated reference for amateur astronomers of all levels. ... Read more

Book Description

Spectroscopy - once the sole province of professionals - is becoming more and more popular with amateur astronomers. Various instruments, at prices to suit everyone, are already available "off the shelf".

"Practical Amateur Spectroscopy" contains everything you need to understand the basic principles, to begin observing, and to interpret what the spectra you have seen or recorded show and mean.

Contributions by leading practical amateurs from America and Europe cover a very wide range of amateur equipment and techniques. There are descriptions of all kinds of instruments, ranging form simple do-it-yourself projects like a direct-vision star spectroscope, to imaging with commercially made spectrographs. ... Read more

Book Description

The Night Sky is a rotating star finder (planisphere) that allows the user to recognize the constellations for any time of night, any day of the year. The sky appears to rotate (due to the rotation and orbital motion of the earth), so to be successful recognizing the constellations a beginner needs to know which stars are above the horizon at any time.

This is the full-sized version of The Night Sky suitable for the 20°-30° latitude zone (Florida, Caribbean, S.Texas, Hawaii). We have versions for the following latitude zones: 50°-60°, 40°-50°, 30°-40°, 20°-30°, and the Southern Hemisphere.We also have pocket-sized versions available for the same latitude zones. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

I'm enjoying it a lot.
It is very detailed. As it says, it's very similar to the stars you actually see in the sky.

It works as follows: there is an outter dial with the days of the year, and an inner dial with the hours of day. By aligning them, it is easy to see the stars that are on the sky at any day (night) and hour.

One side faces North and the other side faces South. It has the star coordinate system (the one in hours and degrees), so you can find planets, if you have a table that tells you where to look.

I think you should complement this with a book, such as "40 Nights to Knowing the Sky", in order to know what you are seeing.

Affordable, Convenient, Easy to use!
The first and best star chart for viewing the south sky with low distortion! I highly recommend it!

Used it for years.
Having used planispheres for over 40 years, I was very interested when I first saw David Chandler's "The Night Sky". I found it to be the easiest to use, easiest to see and most accurate "sky dial" I had ever used. I can recommend this excellent planisphere to beginner, amateur and professional astronomers alike.

An excellent tool for learning your way around the sky.
The Night Sky for this latitude was useful for me even though I don't live at these locations. In the late 1970's I needed to see how the sky looked from the southern US. This was useful as I was writing articles from their perspective. Since I couldn't travel southward, I used the Night Sky and saw how the sky would look from the southern US. I later learned the Night Sky is very accurate as I received positive responses from my articles.

Not just another planisphere
The Night Sky is not just another planisphere. I think The Night Sky is the finest and easiest to use star finding aid in existence. --Jack Internationally via satellite,the Armed Services Network, NASA C.O.R.E. and USIA WORLDNET ... Read more

Book Description

Infrared astronomy is a dynamic area of current research. It has been revolutionized in the past few years by the advent of large, sensitive, infrared arrays, and the success of several infrared satellites. This handbook provides a clear, concise and accessible reference on all aspects of infrared astronomy. Throughout, the emphasis is on fundamental concepts, practical considerations and useful data. Starting with a review of the basic infrared emission mechanisms, we are shown how the earth's atmosphere affects and limits observations from ground-based telescopes. The important systematics of photometric accuracy are treated in detail. Spectroscopy--both stellar and otherwise--is explained, and illustrated with useful examples. An important chapter is devoted to dust, which plays such a central role. Finally, the technical background to infrared instrumentation is covered to help the reader develop a proper understanding of the capabilities and limitations of infrared observations. This volume provides both an essential introduction for graduate students making infrared observations or reducing infrared data for the first time, and a convenient reference for more experienced researchers. ... Read more

Book Description

The universe beyond our own has been an object of scientific inquiry and a preoccupation of avid stargazers from antiquity up to the present day, and this preoccupation has evolved into a complex field in which mysteries are unlocked and discoveries are made on a constant basis.The Astronomy Encyclopedia covers the full width and breadth of the discipline and includes the latest and most important advances. In more than 3,000 alphabetically organized articles accompanied by 500 stunning color and black and white photographs, star maps, and diagrams, The Astronomy Encyclopedia covers everything both the researcher and general enthusiast wants to knowfrom adaptive optics and cold dark matter to Islamic astronomy and the principle of equivalence.It includes a host of major articles on the cornerstones of astronomical investigation, such as the Milky Way, the sun and planets, optical and radio telescopes, stars , black holes, astrophysics, observatories, astronomical photography, space programs, the constellations and famous astronomers.Also featured are tables which display relevant data such as the brightest stars in the major constellations, annual meteor showers, major variable stars, dwarf stars, and energy production processes in the sun. More than 100 astronomers from leading universities and observatories, each an expert in a specialized area of the field, wrote and reviewed the entries to ensure their authority.Patrick Moore, distinguished astronomer and longtime host of the popular BBC television program The Sky at Night, serves as the general editor for this most up-to-date and reliable reference work. A glimpse into humanitys last great frontier, the Astronomy Encyclopedia is both accessible and comprehensive enough for both the serious stargazer and the professional astronomer. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Beautiful book, but full of errors
Oxford University Press has published a visually spectacular and comprehensive astronomy encyclopedia for the lay-person. They have made liberal use of recent Hubble Space Telescope images to produce a truly beautiful book. However, the number of errors ranging from mistaken numbers, to misattributed photographs, to confused sentences is surprising. Perhaps a second edition will clean up these problems.

This book has everything you would want to know.
This book is state of the art in information. It can answer any possible question you can ask about astronomy. It is a thick heavy hard covered book. I spent two hours just reading the captions of over 500 pictures and learned things I never thought about. Get it. ... Read more

Book Description

Compiled by a team of experts, this textbook has been designed for elementary university courses in astronomy and astrophysics. Beginning with a discussion of our nearest star, the Sun, the volume then considers how astronomers study the basic physical properties and life-cycles of more distant stars. Exotic objects such as black holes are also introduced. The text contains numerous useful learning features such as boxed summaries, student exercises with full solutions, and a glossary of terms. It is also supported by a website hosting further teaching materials. Written in an accessible style that avoids complex mathematics, this book is suitable for self-study and will appeal to amateur astronomers as well as undergraduate students. ... Read more

Book Description

The New Patterns in the Sky - a modern classic in the literature of sky lore - is a comprehensive collection of myths, legends, and historical notes about each of the 88 constellations and the sun, moon, Milky Way, and shooting stars. Star maps depict the constellations with outline figures. Written for the non-specialist and widely respected by professional planetarians, this book provides a substantive review of the familiar star lore of classical Southwest Asian and Mediterranean civilizations as well as that of ancient China, South Asia, and traditional societies of northern Eurasia, North and South America, the Pacific Islands, and Australasia. This is one of the must-have books that should be in the library of every enthusiast of mankind's enchantment with the night sky. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Legends of the night --
The human race that has always been captivated by the sky, stars, suns, moons, asteroids, meteors, comets, and the infinite distance of space. So are the creatures we share this world with. Wolves howl at night and stalk their prey whether they are the giant Russian ones or those of the werewolf population. Witches brew their strongest potions, and cult worshipers gather in the darkness to perform their deeds away from light. The vampire rises and rules the night.

Certain qualities are associated with astrological signs. Predictions and karmic charts are based on the date, location, and time of birth. The Chinese Year of the Rat or Snake or Dragon brings vivid pictures to mind. The associations may not be right at all, yet most people can tell you their birth sign. I am a Gemini, the butterfly of Zodiac, first of the air signs, ruled by the mercurial Mercury and daughter of the Moon. Does that mean anything other than I found a comfortable way to add a quick and casual description of me?

Even in astrology, a birth chart is more defined by the rising moon or retrograde of a planet. This easy to read book addresses the lore associated with 88 constellations, shooting stars, the Milky Way, and the true ruler of our solar system -- the sun.

In Star Trek, we go boldly where no one has been before, Star Wars takes us beyond any dimension we experience here, the Alien trilogy, War of the Worlds, Red Planet, etc. all reveal aspects of a strange new life that is both enchanting and horrific.

One night the sun was setting. I held my little companion up so that she could look east and then west in the open desert. As the sky grew darker and stars popped out in the east, she also saw the sky painted gold, pink, purple, and orange to the west. Her voice was filled with wonderment as she said, "Oh wow!"

Now, I can teach her more about the stars, and show her The New Patterns in the Sky. Add this to your library and discover the magic of night, and, perhaps, a few more creatures.

Victoria Tarrani

Very interesting and informational
The book provides a good background on the myths relating to the constellations. Especially interesting is the coverage of the Chinese astronomy. However, I kept wishing there was just a little bit more information... ... Read more

Amazon.com

For the true Star Wars fan, the Essential Guide to Planets and Moons is crucial. You can keep track of all the places mentioned in the movies, books, and comics with this detailed reference. One hundred locations, from the well-known (Tatooine and Hoth) to the more obscure (J't'p'tan and Taanab), are covered in detail. Each planet, moon, or asteroid is accompanied by information on solar system, terrain, language, and points of interest, along with illustrations of the resident species, intelligent and otherwise. Daniel Wallace investigates each planet's role in the Star Wars saga, while Brandon McKinney and Scott Kolins's comic-style black-and-white drawings help the reader get an idea of what these unique worlds and their inhabitants look like. The Essential Guide series also includes Weapons and Technology, Vehicles and Vessels, and Characters. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Excellent for Star Wars fans
When it comes to science fiction, the Star Wars saga is the best. However, the films themselves give very little information regarding the locales that our beloved characters find themselves exploring. This is a shame, because the planets that occupy everyone's favorite galaxy far far away are nothing short of fascinating. Finally, a book entitled Star Wars - The Essential Guide To Planets And Moons was released! Now, fans would be able to learn about the ever-so awesome places characters in the films travelled to! Read on for my review of this book.

PROS:
-If you're a fan of the Star Wars films, and you're interested in reading about the worlds explored in the classic trilogy, this book will have more than enough information to make you happy. From Luke Skywalker's desert homeplanet of Tatooine to the icy world of Hoth, they're all here.
-The book covers the expanded universe! This means places from the novels, comic books, and video games appear in this book! Even if you're just a fan of the films, the information on the expanded universe will fascinate you.
-This book is readily available in most major bookstores (B. Dalton, Barnes And Noble, Borders, etc.) You shouldn't have any trouble finding it.
-The price for this book is very good, considering all the information it has to offer. This is a worthwhile purchase if you're a Star Wars fan.

CONS:
-The major problem with this book is that it was released circa 1997. This means it came out before 1999, and accordingly the locales exclusive to the prequel films, Episode I and Episode II, don't appear in here. That kind of bites, because I wanted to read up on Naboo and Kamino.
-The only pictures in the book are black-and-white sketches. I would have liked to see some more detailed pictures, preferably in color.

OVERALL:
If you're a Star Wars fan, I guarantee this book will fascinate you. If you're not a fan of the Star Wars series but know somebody who is, this makes a great gift. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Superb reference book for any Star Wars afficionado
This book is fantastic! You know that there is a Rebel Base on Yavin, but what about it's history? This book has the ultimate reference to planets and moons, an extremely comprehensive and detailed look at the planets and moons in the world of Star Wars.

A Great Reference
Although it is not officially a supplement, I found this book indispensable for gamemastering in the Star Wars Roleplaying Game. The fact is, there really isn't a better resource for finding new places to visit in the Star Wars Universe. Even if you're not into the RPG scene, however, this member of the 'Essential Guide' series is an excellent read.

For some of those, namely the hardcore fans that have read every single Star Wars thing ever published (I cannot claim this title, as I've only read about half of it all) this book might seem a bit redundant. All of the locations are taken from either film or literature, so if you've read all the literature it follows that you'll have seen all of the 100 worlds depicted here at least once. Nevertheless, it is useful to have all of this information in one place, in case you forgot just which world the Ugnaughts come from (Umgul) or how to spell "Mrlsst." The Star Wars Encyclopedia and Guide to the SW Universe have all of this information as well... somewhere. The problem is you have to remember what you were looking for to find it. This book simplifies matters if you just have to know, but can't recall any of it.

For those who are NOT hardcore fans or could care less that Wild Boetays can be found on Garos IV, you probably won't find this guide more than moderately amusing. The other ones in the series (Characters, Vehicles and Vessels, and Weapons and Tech, to name a few) might be more diverting. But for those who are serious about Star Wars (you know who you are) the Guide to Planets and Moons is a really cheap thrill.

planets of the star wars universe
This book is very cool.There are 200 planets in this book.But there are way more planets then this.

Helpful
This book is helpful for those who haven't read a certain Star Wars book, but come across one of the planets in that book mentioned in some other book. However, with all the new books coming out right now, you'll find that this book is pretty useless for them. ... Read more

Book Description

Long out of print, the much-loved autobiography of celebrated comet-hunter Leslie Peltier is being reissued on the 100th anniversary of his birth. In a career spanning six decades and using telescopes from 2 to 12 inches in diameter, Peltier discovered a dozen comets and six novae and made more than 100,000 observations of variable stars. In Starlight Nights he recalls these achievements and reflects on the meaning of observational astronomy as well as all of nature. This new edition features an introduction by Sky & Telescope magazine contributing editor David H. Levy plus 16 black-and-white photographs from the Peltier family archives. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Captures the Essence of Amateur Astronomy
Starlight Nights: The Adventures of a Stargazer by Leslie Peltier is a wonderful book, which embodies the heart and soul of stargazing.It was out of print for many years, but has been republished by Sky Publishing, and is available through Amazon and through the Sky & Telescope Store online.I obtained a copy last year and read it.Once started, I couldn't put it down.

Peltier begins when, as a child of five, he first saw the Pleiades.As a young teenager he saved up his money and bought his first scope, made his own observing pier in the pasture, and hung out every night learning the night sky.The book covers about 60 years in Peltier's life, including his stargazing honeymoon out west.He observed every night he could, undeterred by cows in the field or snow on the ground.

He became an avid variable-star observer and a comet hunter. He tells the story of bicycling into town on a dark November night in 1925 to telegraph his first comet discovery to Harvard College Observatory.One of his early telescopes, a six-inch refractor, had a wooden (mahogany) tube. When he found each comet he neatly carved the date in the tube of the telescope.

Over the years he built his own observatories, and obtained castoff FAMOUS telescopes (a twelve-inch refractor made by Alvan Clark), when Miami University of Ohio, 125 miles from his home, wanted to upgrade theirs. He became famous among astronomers, but always lived a simple life, shunning publicity, and not straying far from the family homestead in Delphos, Ohio.Leslie Peltier was a gentle soul, self-effacing and honest, and "real".He writes as if he were talking to a friend, telling a favorite story.

This book captures the romance of amateur astronomy.Peltier embodied the "heart and soul" of a stargazer.As David Levy says in his foreword, this book explains the "why" of astronomy, and not just the "how".

It's a book every stargazer should read.

A message from another world.
This is a jem.The author would likely fail to recognize the world of 2002, and would certainly be horrified to awake in it.
He lived, really lived, in an earlier era when discovery of a new comet by an amateur simply looking through a telescope, without the CCDs and other fancy technology,was celebrated, and civilization grew at a pleasant pace in the midwest where he lived, away from the hustle, rush hours, and UN crisis.His humility in accepting the gifts of slowly increasing aperture telescopes and the way in which alone, he found good ways to use them to their best are balm to the soul.
Get a copy of this little book, turn off the TV and computer and regress to Peltier's world of worthwhile ways of spending your time while seeing the universe.Fortunately, you don't really have to wait weeks to get a copy if you'll dial up Sky and Telescope.

A trip back in time...
Remember those movies where an old man tells his story in the form of a flashback?The kind that makes you wish you could go back in time to hang out with them, experience their life? Starlight Nights is one of those stories.
Leslie Peltier's book is full of warmth and humor.He takes us back to a 1905 farm and describes what it was like to grow up without electricity, television.The beginning of his story predates the spread of the automobile.We watch as he buys a small telescope, and without the benefit of a college education, becomes the friend and colleague of the eminent astronomers of his day.We experience the thrill of finding comets and novae, and at the same time, the quiet joy of country life a century ago.
The book is wonderfully illustrated by Mr. Peltier himself, and the introduction includes family photographs.
Absolutely recommended for everyone, not just stargazers.

"A hymn to the sky" - David Levy
"A hymn to the sky" -Levy. To me, no book more beautifully captures the spirit of amateur astronomy that Peltier's Starlight Nights. I first read this book several years ago and still remember marveling atPeltier's intensely personal autobiography. In writing of his childhood inDelphos, Ohio, he spares few details of life on the early 1900's farm, andwe wait spellbound with him as he orders his first telescope after catchingthe astronomy bug as a young teenager. We breathlessly await the partialeclipse of 1918 (the teenaged Leslie lacked the funds to travel the 500miles necessary to see totality in the US's first total eclipse of thecentury), and are swept away again that very night as he was one of thefirst to note the spectacular Nova Aquila as it rose to a stunning -1.4mag.

Peltier's descriptions of his experiences are as elegant as they aresimple. His deep respect and admiration for nature are woven into everypage, not only for things astronomical, but terrestrial as well, for he wasa naturalist of varied interests.

This reissue comes with a new forewordby David Levy, as well as several rare photographs (on the cover and back,as well as a few in the foreword) of Peltier, his early telescopes andhomes. If you are familiar with this book, take this opportunity to read itagain. If you've never read it before, set aside a long evening - you won'tput it down after you start.

Starlight Nights - Excellent!
This is one of my all time favorite books.It is the autobiography of Leslie Peltier, a legendary amateur astronomer.It tells the story of him growing up in the midwest and his interest in nature.This eventually ledto him becoming an amateur astronomer, discovering several comets (whichbear his name), and performing variable star observing and recording forthe American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO).

His writingstyle shows his early 20th century, midwest upbringing and at times issimply poetic.

I've read this book at least 4 times and each timebringsa calm and inspiration not common in todays world.

I very highlyrecommend this book to anyone interseted in astronomy, nature or an escapefrom modern day chaos. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

bringing the heavens to earth
This is a glorious book for both its visuals and its reference material. Filled with color plates from earlier centuries and black and white schematics of almost every constellation you can think of. I found this book inspiring as an artist, and extremely helpful in sourcing some of the many myths and naming devices for the stars. I was fascinated, as was my 9 year old nephew. ... Read more

Book Description

In Seeing in the Dark, a poetic love letter to science and to the skies, Timothy Ferris invites us all to become stargazers. He recounts his own experiences as an enthralled lifelong amateur astronomer and reports from around the globe -- from England and Italy to the Florida Keys and the Chilean Andes -- on the revolution that's putting millions in touch with the night sky. In addition, Ferris offers an authoritative and engaging report on what's out there to be seen -- what Saturn, the Ring nebula, the Silver Coin galaxy, and the Virgo supercluster really are and how to find them. The appendix includes star charts, observing lists, and a guide on how to get involved in astronomy.

Ferris takes us inside a major revolution sweeping astronomy, as lone amateur astronomers, in global networks linked by the Internet, make important discoveries that are the envy of the professionals. His ability to describe the wonders of the universe is simply magical, and his enthusiasm for his subject is irresistible. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Poignant Rock n Roll Astronomer
This is a poignant and wonderful autobiographical book. As Timothy Ferris writes, fo