Book Description

The dramatic celestial fire of the aurora borealis has intrigued mankind since ancient times. "Secrets of the Aurora Borealis" investigates the science and history behind the magic light of the aurora offering a comprehensive look into one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena.

Author S.-I. Akasofu, director of the International Arctic Research Center, is a world-renowned aurora expert and has studied the northern lights since 1958. "In Secrets of the Aurora Borealis", Dr. Akasofu explains the solar-driven electromagnetic forces that produce the phenomenon, concisely sums up the state of auroral science today, and ponders aspects of the aurora still not understood.

"Secrets of the Aurora Borealis" tracks the evolution of auroral knowledge and discusses the speculation and investigations of scientists and philosophers from Ben Franklin and comet discoverer Edmond Halley to contemporary researchers at the forefront of cosmic science.

This book also presents indigenous peoples’ fearful and poetic reactions to the lights and early northern explorers’ awe-inspired descriptions.

Photographs of the most magnificent and enchanting occurrences of the northern lights illustrate "Secrets of the Aurora Borealis" along with woodcuts that depict the wonder of our ancestors. Explanatory diagrams, charts, and satellite photographs reveal the complex physics behind the dazzling curtains of light.

"Secrets of the Aurora Borealis" lists resources for further inquiry and includes a glossary to explain the technical language of auroral studies and a convenient index. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An amazing presentation intended for a general audience
Vividly illustrated with spectacular color photography throughout, Secrets Of The Aurora Borealis by Syun-Ichi Akasofu (Director of the International Arctic Research Center, Fairbanks, Alaska) is an informative and accessible science-based introduction to the natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights,. From basic facts about what causes the Aurora Borealis to how it has been perceived throughout history, Secrets Of The Aurora Borealis is an amazing presentation intended for a general audience and is highly recommended for anyone who has ever marveled and wondered about this legendary northern phenomena. ... Read more

Book Description

Sky Atlas 2000.0 in its second edition offers nearly 90,000 stars, with all positions derived from the Hipparcos database, the most accurate survey ever undertaken. In this Field Version, the 29 charts show stars and deep-sky objects in white on a black background. The map area is 460 x 330 mm (18 by 13 inches). The charts are printed on heavy paper with a rigid clear plastic, and for ease of use they are unbound and boxed. In this format the Atlas will be indispensable as an aid to telescope users who prefer maps which come as close as possible to the view through the telescope. The lamination allows felt tip or wax markers to be used. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Excellent but can by for less elsewhere
This excellent resource for backyard astronomers can be purchased for $10 less from Sky and Telescope.

Almost Better Than Looking At The Real Sky.
On this Field Edition, each of the 26 charts measures 13.5" by 18.25".Star viewable area of each chart is 11.25 by 16.25".Large enough to see down to the 8th magnitude star.
With it's Main Index Sheet and another sheet with a rough diagram of what is on each chart, it is easy to quickly find the Constellation you seek.
The Introduction explains the symbols and lines used on the charts.With ~43,000 stars, ~2500 deep-sky objects and various points of interest, the charts are well drawn.
With known position of moving objects (like planets, comets, or asteroids) found in a magazine, the clear plastic overlay helps find where it should be positioned, down to <1 minute Right Ascension and/or <10 degrees Declination, almost assuring that you should be able to find where to look in the sky.

Loaded with info
I just recently got into backyard astronomy,and some friends who have been at it awhile suggested that I get this amazing atlas.Every page is crammed with the most amazing charts! I can't think of anything better.Be sure to get the companion to this,as well.

Excellent star chart
This is a very good chart set for the average amateur astronomer (in my opinion, that is). It shows stars to 8.5 mag which is a good balance of completeness and ease of use. I regularly use star charting software, but prefer the hard copy charts to printed charts. Definitely worth the price!

This is the one you want for field use!
Been through several others - this is the definitive one.

The black background white stars are perfect for field usage. I hold my flace a suitable distance to make it the same scale as the sky. It actually works. If you dim your light (or squint your eyes), the lower magnitude stars disappear - instant recognition of what you can see through your finder.

It includes overlays for a Telrad (heads up bullseye 1x finder). Other overlays include co-ordinates to use with your setting circles (or DSC style counters/readouts, etc).

This is a must have, no matter what scope you use. I use this with my Meade LX90. Even if your scope is computer controlled (like my LX90), you will want and need a good star chart.

Believe it or not, this star chart is so good it inspired my wife, using only a pair of 16x50 binoculars.

The lamination is important. Nothing worse than the inevitable bug smears on a star chart. You can sponge these off.

Combined with a decent book like the Sky Atlas Companion you are armed for year round viewing. They are so beautiful and complete, on a cloudy night you can enjoy reading them and preparing a night's journey for clear skies.

Get this one - you will never regret it. ... Read more

Book Description

Everything revolves around it...and now skywatchers and armchair scientists can learn all about the origin and history of the sun. With information on the sun's physical properties; how solar flares, sunspots, and winds on its surface affect Earth's atmosphere and environment; solar and lunar eclipses, transits, and occultations, and early astronomers' discoveries about the sun, including Galileo, Copernicus, Francis Bailey, and the Mayans. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Not for idiots, not for laypeople - poorly written book
I returned this book after having it for only a few days because the July 2004 issue of National Geographic did a better job of explaining the Sun in terms that the layperson could understand than this book did.

Jay Pasachoff is a preeminent scholar on the sun, but he was the wrong choice for this book (either that, or his editors really did a number his writing). When I read concepts that I myself understood clearly, and could perhaps have written that particular section, I found that I had to read them two or three times to make sure that, yes, this was what he was trying to explain.

This is not a book for idiots or laypeople. Idiots won't get it, because, well, they're idiots, and laypeople would get bogged down by the author's inability to relate relatively simple concepts. This book is a quagmire for anyone that wants to learn something about the sun.

Seek out the July 2004 issue of National Geographic if you really want to learn something, and don't know much. It's a terrific article, with wonderful color illustrations, cross sections - everything you could want to know.

All You Want to Know About the Sun
The author is a professional solar astronomer who is able to explain every aspect about our solar system's star in a way that lay people can understand. This was obvious to me as I flipped through the book for the first time, checking to see if it was what I needed to learn exactly how the sun functioned.
Admittedly, there were a few things which I had to reread more than a couple of times to really understand, but understand I eventually did. The sun is a complicated object (basically its an enormous nuclear fusion reactor), and to make such a scientific subject comprehendable by the masses is no small task.

I really bought it looking for two things: an easy to read textbook about the sun and its workings, and a guide to help me observe it properly in white light telescopic viewing. It should be understood that this latter objective was not the intention of the book. Though the amateur astronomer with a small amount of solar observing experience would be able to sift through the chapters and find some things which he or she could use in bits and pieces, this is definitely not the correct book to be used as an observer's guide. I have to say that I still haven't found a better book for the beginning white light solar observer than James Muirden's "How to Use an Astronomical Telescope," though I am still looking.
For "The Idiot's... Sun's" intended purpose, which is teaching the curious about how the sun performs the way it does, this book is very hard to beat.

A Stellar Book!
While the title, not chosen by the author Jay Pasachoff, is less than endearing, the contents are superb. The newcomer to solar astronomy would be well educated after studying this book alone. It comprehensively covers just about all the solar studies that have been and are being done in a remarkably concise manner. This is quite and achievement in a field as dynamic as solar astronomy. Historical work from the Galilleo and Christopher Scheiner up to the modern era are woven in as a backdrop to modern research. In this book you will find discussions on topics from backyard white-light solar observing to the latest work being done by the GONG Network on solar oscillations or results of the SOHO and TRACE satellites, explained in easy to understand language. In fact, many sections are presented as answers to questions that well might be asked at that point by the incisive reader. This and the enjoyable flow of the writing leads the reader from one section and chapter into the next. The book ends with a list of solar observatories and organizations as well as a very good bibliography. While this book may be called "The Complete Idiot's Guide" you will be anything but that when finished! ... Read more

Book Description

Serious amateur astronomers often wonder how to find new minor planets, comets and novae and would like to know how to use photoelectric detectors to derive the temperatures of stars. These issues along with predicting future eclipses and the occultations of stars by minor planets are topics covered in this authoritative and wide-ranging guide. For each topic, sound practical methods of observation and the scientific background are given to facilitate better observations. Guidelines also show how to record and catalog observations using the recognized professional terminology and classification schemes. From the simplest pencil drawings of the moon to observations of the most distant galaxies with state-of-the-art CCD cameras and photoelectric photometers, this guide is packed with practical tips for all types of amateur observations. Volume 2 covers aurorae, meteors, double and multiple stars, variable stars, deep sky objects, novae, and supernovae. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent book on making scientific observations
This two-volume work (vol 1 on the solar system, vol 2 on everything else) is indispensible in learning how to make scientifically useful observations with modest or expensive equipment. Comprised of separate articles on specific subjects, like "Spectroscopy", "Double Stars", "Jupiter", or "Photometry", each section delves deeply into how to make accessories or observations that are of scientific value. It is incredibly detailed. My only detraction is that the text is translated from the French and once in a while the text can be confusing (especially the description of the "V" micrometer in the double star section which, in my opinion, is nearly unintelligible). ... Read more

Book Description

It was in 1954, shortly after their first collaboration, that astronomer Patrick Moore and illustrator David A. Hardy first agreed to undertake an illustrated book to show how humans would expand into space via orbiting space stations, moon-landings, voyages to the planets and stars.By the time such a project could become a reality, though, men had walked on the moon for the first and last time and space exploration had revealed discoveries wondrous, awesome, and unexpected. Now, in 2004, it is an ideal time to review the many ways in which our visions of space, the universe, and all things astronomical have changed over those fifty years.

Futures: 50 Years in Space -- The Challenge of the Stars is a unique book which only this author and artist could produce. Bringing together their combined wealth of experience and expertise in revealing the wonders of the cosmos to a wide audience, along with a cautiously optimistic forecast of our future in space. ... Read more

Book Description

Touring the Universe is a complete astronomy field guide written especially for beginning & intermediate astronomy enthusiasts. It lets you in on the best places in the cosmos to explore, when and where to witness the most spectacular events, and how to get there to have the best experience! Even those on a budget will garner a lifetime of memories. Liftoff is now! Fasten your seat belts.

Highlights

•Written especially to help beginners, dabblers or budding amateur astronomers, from high school to adult, to get started in understanding and observing the heavens.

•First section of the book takes you on an introductory tour of our solar system, then on through our galaxy and into the depths of the universe. The second sections provides information for exploring the night sky with your eyes, binoculars or telescope.

•Up-to-date information on choosing binoculars or a telescope.

•Full-color star charts cover the entire celestial sphere — for use anywhere in the world. Over 100 binocular and telescope objects indicated and described.

•Detailed description on finding and observing each of the eight planets through 2017.

•Detailed description on finding and observing over 100 star clusters, nebulae and galaxies.

•Moon map and moon phases through 2017.

•Worldwide eclipses through 2017.

•Meteor showers, astrophotography, universal time and more.

•Table of contents, glossary, index, historical timelines.

•Loaded with color photos, illustrations and tables.

•Spiral bound (lays flat for easy use of star charts).

•10.5" x 10.5", 128 pages. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Best Star Charts
Recently, I have looked through a lot of astronomy books and Touring the Universe really stands out. It's packed with information that's presented in an attractive and understandable format with a lot of colorful graphics. What truly sets this book apart are the star charts that cover the entire celestial sphere. Wherever I go in the world, I have a star chart for it. Combined with the tables of events, I can plan my vacations for whatever is happening up there-until 2017!

Great even on cloudy nights
I NEVER buy astronomy books--I live in Seattle! But since I've had this book, I'm amazed at how many times I've used it for camping, as a reference...even to settle arguments. Not only is it full of useful facts, tables and history, but it's laid out beautifully and simply. The photos and illustrations are beautiful, but it's less expensive than most other coffee table books out there. Who knows, maybe one day I'll even use the chapters on telescopes and lenses--check out the handy comparison chart on page 59! ... Read more

Book Description

Revised and updated.

Buying a telescope is crucial for enhancing interest in astronomy. With so many choices, how does the beginner choose? Robin Scagell supplies the expert objective advice to making a smart purchase.

Stargazing With a Telescope is a practical guide that demystifies the process of buying a telescope. The features and benefits of the different types of viewing instruments are evaluated in straightforward terms. The color illustrations help to clarify the choices.

Equipment covered includes:- Binoculars: a range of choices for astronomers at any level- Refractors: classic telescopes that are easy to use and maintain- Reflectors: sophisticated instruments that allow night sky photography- Catadioptrics: compact telescopes that are gaining popularity.

The book provides brand names and model numbers and the general advice applies to all brands, not just those covered. Lens size, focal lengths, focal ratios and much more is explained with clear diagrams and non-scientific text. Also covered are suitable accessories such as eyepieces, filters, mounts and supports, and suggestions for photography through the telescope, and choice of camera and film types. Useful tips are provided on setting up and using any telescope as well as a review of objects to look at with different sizes of telescope.

There is also valuable advice on how to instantly spot misleading labels on low-end telescopes. These are often bought for young, aspiring astronomers who quickly become discouraged with the telescope's poor performance.

Stargazing with a Telescope is a must for newcomers to astronomy whatever their age. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great reference source -- highly recommended
I own this book as well as its companion canon on lunar eclipses.I find them both to be convenient and valuable references whenever I need to find information about past or present eclipses (which I do a lot more often than you might imagine).

What I find most useful are the maps of individual eclipses over a 50-year span and the maps of all total and annular eclipses worldwide over the much longer period of 1901-2100.

It's not called a Canon for nothing.
This is the definitive book to take to eclipses.Espenak is the eclipse expert for NASA and has all the math and software to generate the tables which make up this canon.

Everything else one hears or reads about whereand when the eclipse will be, is just third through twelfth hand recountingand mis-recounting of the information in this book.It is not fun reading- it is a book of tables of numbers.

But careful readingandinterpolation with an accurate map (or a GPS) and an accurate watch willget you the exact local time of second and third contacts and the actuallocation of centerline.

That doesn't seem like such a big deal until oneis actually on the ground the day before the eclipse.One had beenunconsciously expecting that somebody locally would have all theinformation, and then you find out that they had been assuming that you,the rich, educated foreigner, would know.

The actual real information isto be found only in this book.Don't leave home for an eclipse without it. ... Read more

Book Description

The Cambridge Starfinder Pack contains three essential items to get you started on the fascinating hobby of astronomy. The Star Chart is an attractive wall chart (approximately 3 feet by 4 feet) showing all the stars visible to the naked eye. The chart is arranged into three maps to cover the whole sky. Fainter clusters and galaxies visible in binoculars are included. Constellations, double stars and variable stars are listed. The Moon Map shows 500 craters and other features on the nearside in beautiful detail. Landing sites of spacecraft, including Apollo, are shown. Finally, the Planisphere is a traditional and practical star finder for locating stars and constellations at any hour of the year. Observers in Canada and states located north of an arc through San Francisco, St Louis and Washington will need this 42° version. Those in states south of this arc require the 32° version (ISBN 0521 669545). ... Read more

Book Description

Constellations are not new to astronomy. Even before the era of printing, patterns of stars have been recognized by humans and their histories have been passed on from generation to generation, culture to culture. This book is the ultimate constellation reference book. Finally, a book exists that brings together a variety of information about constellations, including: the size, visibility, and relative brightness of all eighty-eight constellations; former locations of extinct constellations; the number of visible stars in each constellation; and more. Using tables, this information is presented in the first part of the book so that constellations can be readily compared and a general view of them developed. In the second part of the book, each constellation is taken in turn, with a star chart and map illustrating the associated celestial figure, supported by a comprehensive list of essential properties. This highly illustrated volume provides the most complete reference to date covering all aspects of the constellations and will be helpful for astronomers, both amateur and professional, educators and science writers. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

If your just learning, try a different book.
If you're just getting started, this is not the book for you. It's a little deeper than I expected. Still a good book, but stay clear unless you're already experienced in this topic.

Practical uses of the book
As a serious amateur and frequent lecturer, I have found the Cambridge Guide to the Constellations serves multiple purposes. As a guide for understanding the boundaries and key features of the constellations, it has no equal. It provides significant detail in concise useable capsules. This is exactly what is needed when planning a night of observing or a lecture to any audience. In addition, the author has provided us with numerous significant facts, lists, and historical anecdotes which can enrich our understanding and provide quick material for lectures or special presentations. I rarely plan a talk without first referring to this book. It will be a ready reference to all astronomers for many years

A must-have book for constellation information
This book lists all the constellations and tells a little about each one of them, such as its location in the sky and where it can be seen. It also has many lists, like the brightest stars, the closest stars, Ptolemy's constellations, meteor shower dats, the navigational stars, Biblical references to stars and constellations and much, much more.

I run a planetarium and this book has provided me with more practical knowledge about the sky than almost any other single book in my library (which is extensive). I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in learning more about the sky and having a multitude of handy reference facts at your fingertips ... Read more

Book Description

Almost every serious amateur astronomer knows the benefit of having a fixed observatory of some sort - it saves a vast amount of time and effort during every observing session - and this book provides the necessary help. More Small Astronomical Observatories details the methods and techniques employed by non-professional astronomers from all over the world, providing a wonderful resource for anyone wishing to build a small observatory of almost any kind. It's a fun read, too. Not only that, but a free PC-format CD-ROM is included, containing the entire first book (now out of print) - you get two books for the price of one! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good for giving ideas
This book is not a step-by-step guide. Moore never says it would be. It allows you to see what others have built and get ideas for your own observatory - what is a better/different way to do what I want. An added bonus is that his first book (Small Astronomical Observatories) is included as a CD in the back (I had been looking for it for a while with no luck).
Most observatories are going to be of simple construction. If you can drive a nail and cut a piece of wood, you are well on your way. A bit of cement work and you are 99% there. I used information from 4 units to design my own. Yes, some of the designs are on the internet and he gives web addresses where they exists.
It meets my needs for information and I would not hesitate to suggest this book to anyone thinking about building a small observatory.

more small astronomical observatories
This book is as if you had a... tour through a garden of private observatories. There is very little technical content to be gleamed if you were wanting to make your own observatory and how to control it. Most of the material that is there, can be easily found in minutes on the internet. If I could give a lower rating I would. It was a waste of my money ... Read more

Book Description

This handy volume provides a clear, comprehensive and concise introduction to astronomical polarimetry at all wavelengths. Starting from first principles and a simple physical picture of polarized radiation, the author introduces the reader to all the key topics, including Stokes parameters, applications of polarimetry in astronomy, polarization algebra, polarization errors and calibration methods, and a selection of instruments (from radio to X-ray). The author rounds off the book with a number of useful case studies, a collection of exercises, an extensive list of further reading and an informative index. This review of all aspects of astronomical polarization provides both an essential introduction for graduate students,and a valuable reference for practicing astronomers. ... Read more

Book Description

This unique and accessible book provides a handy reference to the skies visible from the countries of the southern hemisphere. Amateur astronomers or casual observers of the night sky will have easy access to the star charts of world famous astronomical cartographer Wil Tirion, prepared especially for this volume. Television astronomer David Ellyard has contributed a detailed explanatory text to accompany the charts, together with a general introduction to the study of the night sky. Charts of the whole sky--24 in all--show what is visible early and late in each month. These are followed by details of each section of the sky, with particular attention to the constellations seen in the southern skies. Planet positions are provided up to the year 2010. For this new edition, the text has been thoroughly revised and new charts created to illustrate the legends behind the main constellations. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

OK to decent
This book has well laid out and attractive star charts but is used best as a desk reference and not as a field reference. Like most of Tirion's Atlases, I think the charts are one magnitude from being truly useful. Under very dark skies in the country the charts would be more then adequate to find the deep sky objects, but in a moderately polluted urban environment there is insufficient magnitude detail to star hop adequately. I would say this book is excellent for beginners or newcomers looking for an introduction to the Southern skies. So I give this 4 stars, also partly because there is a lack of such introductory books of the Southern skies. ... Read more

Book Description

An Instant Guide to Stars and Planets is an ideal compact identification guide to our night sky.A system of season-by-season star charts enables the reader toidentify quickly and easily the major constellations visible in the Northern Hemisphere.The Solar System and its planets are described and illustrated using data from the Voyager and Mariner missions.Information on stars, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and black holes provides the background needed to understand the structure of the universe and how it functions.
Detailed, full-color illustrations and a concise but informative text provide everything the novice starwatcher needs to explore the sty. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A good book for the beginner
This is an excellent basic reference for people trying to teach themselves about astronomy. It includes information about stars, constellations, planets, other sky objects, and the solar system as a whole, so it gives a nice overview without making the subject too complicated. The constellation section is helpful because it not only outlines the constellations, but also shows how to find them. Another nice feature is that the index also acts as a checklist, so you can check off which objects you have seen.

I did, however, find the book to be poorly organized, particularly relating to the constellations. The constellations are organized by location in the sky, which can be confusing to the beginner. I frequently found myself searching the index because I couldn't easily find the constellation I was looking for just by flipping through.

I bought this book basically hoping to improve my recognition of specific constellations. To me, this book was more appealing than some of the other books available because of both its size and its price. Despite its flaws, I think in terms of how much use I have gotten out of this book, I definitely got my money's worth! I would recommend buying this book if you have a faint interest in astronomy, but don't want to invest in one of the the more technical, higher priced guides.

Great Compact Guide
I was looking for something compact that I could fit in a pocket for those evenings when we would go out for meteor showers.

I really helps pass the time to learn about the constellations, the layout was clear and the explanations brief.

It's a great beginner's book.

Great for Beginners
As a novice star gazer, I was so excited when I opened this book. It gives easy to read maps of the sky, in the various seasons. It also gives a little bit of detailed information about the different constellations. My children and I have already been able to pick out things in the night sky that we have been unable to identify previously.

GREAT TO READ
A great book to read if you've ever wondered about our universe. It's writter in a way so that anybody could understand it. Read this book and you'll surely enjoy it. ... Read more

Book Description

For everyone who has looked up at the stars on a clear night and longed to know more about them, here is the perfect introduction and guide to discovering the stars.

Discover the Stars leads you on a tour of all the stars and constellations visible with the naked eye and introduces you to deep-sky objects that can be seen with binoculars or a simple telescope. The tour is conducted by the editor of Astronomy magazine, Richard Berry, whose two-color, computer-plotted sky maps and clear instructions make stargazing fun and productive from your first night out.

The heart of Discover the Stars is two sections of big, beautiful sky maps and charts. The first section features twelve maps that show the entire sky overhead as it appears during each month of the year. These outline all the constellations visible anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere, and the accompanying text reveals the rich ancient mythology that surrounds the star groups.

The second section is made up of twenty-three star charts that depict smaller regions of the sky in great detail. These charts give the names of key stars and lead you to fascinating features such as stars with unusual colors, double stars, variable stars, nebulae, and galaxies.

Separate chapters cover basics, such as how the stars move through the sky, how to find your way around the moon and the planets, making an astronomer's flashlight, and choosing and using a telescope -- all in terms that are easy to grasp and remember.

Discover the Stars is the perfect introduction to the heavens, simple enough to be useful if you're just starting out but packed with enough information to keep you learning and enjoying the stars for years to come. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Great Beginner/Intermediate Reference
The biggest plus for this book is the depictions of objects as you can expect to see them in a small (2.4"-3") scope. Try drawing the object once you've located it, then bring the drawing indoors and compare it to what's in the book! Lot's of fun! In this respect it's alot like "Turn Left at Orion". It's got great star charts and accompanying highlights (Messier objects, double stars, etc.) to look for.
After 15 years, it's due for an update.
It needs an index!

If you are new to astronomy, this book will get you hooked.
"Discover the Stars" is written for people with an interest in astronomy but little or no practical experience, yet even the experienced can benefit from this great book. As an example of the latter, I have been practicing amateur astronomy for 5 years, and own 3 telescopes, 2 pairs of binoculars optimized for astronomy, and just a huge pile of astronomy books, star charts and software of various stripes. Despite all this stuff and my several years of experience, I returned to "Discover the Stars" just last night to enhance my stargazing experience.

The best tool for amateur astronomy is one or more working eyeballs--just looking at the sky, memorizing the constellations, and watching them come and go with the seasons. This approach is highly undervalued in conventional astronomy books. Binoculars are a great enhancement to the naked eye for looking at the night sky (e.g., nearly the entire Messier catalogue can be seen with 7x50 or 10x50 binoculars), but nearly all books on deep-sky astronomy describe many, many objects that could never be seen with normal binoculars. Most amateur astronomers end up with 3-4" refractors or 6-8" Newtonians, but to many authors these are "small" telescopes. I have four astronomy books that recommend looking for an object called "Stephen's Quintet," but this simply cannot be seen with anything less than a 12-13" scope. What is a dabbler to do?

Read "Discover the Stars" and find out. The very first chapter tells you to just go out and look at the sky--there is no better advice. A sky map is provided for every month, along with vivid, affectionate descriptions of everything there is to see with your eyes. After a very brief description of equipment (Chapter 2), Richard Berry takes you on an intimate tour of the night sky. The tour is in the form of 23 detailed sky charts. These cover each of the constellations visible in the Northern Hemisphere and discuss many of the objects visible within them. It is noteworthy that this list contains a number of references to objects outside of the Messier catalogue (mostly Caldwell objects, as it happens). He doesn't waste your time trying to find "deep sky gems" where normal people will find none. For example, he describes Fornax as "a miserable little constellation with hardly anything to recommend it." My own experience with telescopes up to 8" in diameter pretty well bear this out. On the other hand, when he suggests you take a look, you really will be able to find it. I have found most of the objects mentioned in the star charts using binoculars or a 3.5" Mak telescope, and every object using an 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain or Newtownian.

Don't look to this book to provide detailed descriptions of the objects in the sky charts: there are many, many, many books that do this already, including in particular my favorite tome for more advanced users, "Star-Hopping" by Robert Garfinkle. Don't go to this book looking for detailed advice about telescopes or binoculars: "Star Ware" and "Touring the Universe through Binoculars" by Philip Harrington cover these subjects, as does the uncanny Scopereviews.com and links therein. Richard Berry's other popular book "Build Your Own Telescope" (very, very highly recommended) even tells you how to build the telescope of your dreams. Don't use this book if you need detailed sky maps, or RA/Dec positions for deep sky objects: "Sky Atlas 2000.0" (Tirion and Sinnott), "Uranometria 2000.0 (Tirion, Rappaport and Lovi) are much better sources.

Instead, look to this book to provide the foundation for a pleasant evening spent under the stars. In the end, the proof of a reference is its application: I give "Discover the Stars" to friends who express an interest in astronomy, and they get hooked.

A wonderful single source for the beginning astronomer
If you have ever looked up at night and wondered about the stars, this is the book to buy. It not only gives you an overview of the night sky, but also a detailed delving into the stars, galaxies, and nebulae that make up the fascinating and ancient sky.

Berry is an adept teacher, and fills the book with not only the nuts-and-bolts, but the history and humanity of the agless sky. The pronunciation guide alone is worth the purchase price. He also includes sections on chosing a telescope, the moon, and the planets.

Looking into the sky and recognizing what you see is no less liberating than learning to read. This is the perfect reference book for that task. ... Read more

Book Description

Astronomers believe that a supernova is a massive explosion signaling the death of a star, causing a cosmic recycling of the chemical elements and leaving behind a pulsar, black hole, or nothing at all. In an engaging story of the life cycles of stars, Laurence Marschall tells how early astronomers identified supernovae, and how later scientists came to their current understanding, piecing together observations and historical accounts to form a theory, which was tested by intensive study of SN 1987A, the brightest supernova since 1006. He has revised and updated The Supernova Story to include all the latest developments concerning SN 1987A, which astronomers still watch for possible aftershocks, as well as SN 1993J, the spectacular new event in the cosmic laboratory. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A good overview about Supernovae, though its from 1988
This book brings a good overview to the reader, how Supernovae brings their information to our planet and how they develop with all the basics of astrophysics an cosmology needed to understand. It was published first in 1988 but a 2. series came out in 1994. So you can't find the newest informations on Supernovae.

A Blast!
Found the book to be inspirational to my own writing. A good introduction to the lay person, and with healthy detail for the versed. ... Read more

Book Description

Star-hopping--using easily seen bright stars to locate fainter celestial objects in the night sky--is a basic and essential technique for all star gazers, novice and veteran alike.Robert Garfinkle shows you how to locate the many stellar objects usually overlooked by the untrained eye. Two or more detailed star hops for each month of the year, which can be read in any order, take you on a trip through the night sky, opening new doors of discovery and reinforcing star-hopping methods and techniques. With Garfinkle's able guidance, learn to take the Messier Marathon--a night-long hop across the skies.Additional basic astronomy skills are carefully outlined, including reading star charts, finding celestial directions, understanding telescope types, and using light pollution filters.A lively history of the universe and the ancient myths and legends of the sky round out the text.This is an essential guide for sky gazers who want to get the most out of their evening sky explorations. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Some great tours of the sky!
This is a thick book heavy on content and true to its purpose: to help the novice amateur astromoner learn how to navigate the sky without the aid of motorized GOTO computers or setting circles. The work contains about 24 starhops, most of which are fairly lengthy and take two hours or longer to complete if observing leisurely.

Although the text is a bit dry and not as enjoyable to work through as in MacRoberts' wonderfully descriptive and similar work "Star-Hopping for Backyard Astronomers", the emphasis in this book is on *empirical star-hopping practice*. Once you complete the exercises in this book you *will* have gained a subconscious feel for navigating the skies with your scope. Traditional star-hopping becomes second nature and loses its daunting aspect.

I feel that all amateur astronomers should have this skill down pat. It makes your observing immeasurably easier because you have an intuitive "feel" for which direction and how far to move your scope.

The maps are well done but do not completely reflect the text. Sometimes objects are discussed in the text but don't appear on the map. Also, the maps are not at near a large enough scale to make the star-hops fully straightforward. For the dimmer DSOs in his tours (and there are many of them), I highly advise the reader to purchase a solid Mag 8.5 or deeper star atlas to accompany this book, such as Tirion's Sky Atlas 2000.0 2nd Ed.

Overall, recommended over MacRoberts' book for serious training and experience in this skill. Rank beginners will want to start with something easier, like MacRoberts or the excellent Turn Left at Orion.

Great guide for novice and experienced alike
Garfinkle's book is a first-rate introduction into "star-hopping," the practice of using patterns of stars to find interesting objects in the night sky. He has a couple of chapters that provide useful tips for the novice--such as judging the field of view of a view finder--but then he dives right in. He adopts a constellation-based approach, marching around the major stars in a constellation to find the stellar and deep sky objects within. He is cosmopolitan in his interests, highlighting double, multiple and variable stars as well as every possible deep sky object accessible to amateur telescopes. His text is so full of information and folklore that it can almost be distracting: did you really need to know the exact spectral class of Deneb? Nevertheless, his guides and maps are outstanding and the tours he assembles are just GREAT. To my knowledge, there is nothing like them in the literature. His tours of Cygnus, Sagitarius, and Lyra got me hooked on telescope astronomy, and I return to them again and again. It would take years of dedicated effort to exhaust the richness of this book.

The main strength of Garfinkle's approach--the constellation-based approach--is also its main weakness. This is because fascinating objects a view-finder or two away from the constellation in questions are either discussed in some chapter other than the one in hand or are not discussed at all. This can be frustrating if you are an experienced star-hopper. Garfinkle compensates for this by identifying so much of interest in each of his star hops that you probably won't care. If you do, an excellent companion to "Star Hopping" is "Discover the Stars" by Richard Berry, which touches upon a small fraction of the objects discussed by Garfinkle but presents a broader swipe of the sky.

An excellent guide for practical amateur observing
The feature that recommends this book is the road-map approach to viewing objects in a constellation beyond the standard show-pieces. The author includes all kinds of fascinating background information, and you end up seeing things you would otherwise pass by. First-rate. ... Read more

Book Description

Go with Sky & Telescope's Alan MacRobert on 14 star-hop safaris. Maneuver among recognizable star patterns in the Northern Hemisphere as you hunt down astronomical big game. Each star-hop includes a detailed map, object descriptions, and photos. Introductory chapters cover how to choose and use a backyard telescope, find your way around the sky, read star charts, and observe faint objects. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Well done but overpriced
I read through and used this book a couple months ago. I've also had the opportunity to do the same with Garfinkle's "Star-Hopping: Your Visa to Viewing the Universe". MacRobert's book is prettier, with much better maps (adapted from Tirion's works) and more colorful descriptions of the objects.

But it's short! Only 13 telescope starhops, and short ones at that! Each starhop can be leisurely completed in about an hour. Garfinkle's starhops are each about twice the length, sometimes even longer, and feature a much more varied selection of objects. Plus, Garfinkle includes nearly twice as many starhops in his book, so there's about four times as much total content. It's a 300-page book including the appendices.

MacRobert's book is great for novices with small telescopes. Owners of 6"+ scopes will not be challenged at all by most of the objects in these hops. They're just too easy, except when a gibbous or full moon is out!

I would rate this book a 3 based on value: time spent using book vs. cost. However, I'll bump it up to a 4 for the outstanding quality of the maps and for MacRobert's enjoyable descriptions to accompany each item of the starhops. If you want a great introductory star-hopping book worth the asking price, look into Garfinkle's "Star-Hopping" or Consolmagno's "Turn Left at Orion".

This should be required reading for any new telescope owner!
Of all the books I bought and read, this has been the most helpful. The author clearly explains the technique of star-hopping and provides 14 detailed starhops. Each hop will occupy you for around an hour. They're organized by month/season so you can pick whichever hop suits your night skies. This book also contains excellent information on choosing a telescope or binoculars and includes excellent reproductions of Tirion's Sky Atlas 2000.0 Highly recommended! ... Read more

Book Description

A professional-level tool for observing the night sky.

The large 15 inch Firefly Planisphere Deluxe is a practical tool for accurately locating night sky phenomena at any time of the year. Constructed of sturdy plastic, simply turn the disks to line up the month and date, and the clear top panel reveals the actual positions of the stars. It is also useful for locating planets, stars, constellations, globular clusters, nebula and galaxies at any particular time.

The planisphere is charted by the month, day, hour and minute, so it can be used to plan future viewings. The planisphere also calculates the time of sunrise and sunset for any specific day.

An easy-to-read 24-page companion book describes how to adjust and use the planisphere. The book and planisphere are packaged in a convenient boxed set.

The Firefly Planisphere Deluxe is an indispensable tool for astronomers of all ages. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

All You Ever Wanted in a Planisphere (and More)

A planisphere is a wonderful thing for astronomy. It is a quick and lightweight way to find out what is up in the sky at any time of night, it never needs batteries (other than perhaps a light source to read it by), and it also can help you to learn how the night sky moves from hour to hour and month to month. It gives you a tactile connection to the night sky that computer programs cannot. I don't think any amateur astronomer should be without one.

To be sure, not all planispheres are created equal. Some are paper, some are plastic, some are a bit of both. There are planispheres that show light-colored stars and constellations on a dark sky; there are planispheres that show them the other way around. One of my favorite planispheres is the Chandler planisphere, which uses both sides of the planisphere--the northern sky on one side, the southern on the other--to reduce the distortion that is much worse on other planispheres.

As nice as it is, the Chandler planisphere has a few drawbacks that keep it from being the ideal specimen--for me, at least. The map disc is made of paper, rather than plastic (the sleeve is plastic, though); also, the thing is a bit too small. Probably in large part for that reason, there are just too few stars on it for me to do much with it beyond getting my general bearing.

Now, a new planisphere has stepped into the fray. Designed and executed by Wil Tirion, the leading light of stellar cartography, the Firefly Planisphere is a work of art. The moment you pick it up, you can tell it's substantial. The map disc is thick and large: 15 inches across, and about a millimeter thick. The planisphere as a whole weighs several ounces.

That bulk is not without benefit, though: this planisphere has a wealth of information readily available on it. The large stellar database is only the beginning of the story: all stars down to magnitude 5.5 and north of declination -50 degrees. It's the other objects shown that are the real forte of this item: all of the Messier objects, plus quite a few NGC objects outside the Messier catalogue. All galaxies are shown with their proper orientation and, space permitting, their proper sizes and aspects as well.

Also marked on the map are the celestial equator and the ecliptic, as well as the basic outline of the Milky Way. (The sky of the planisphere is a medium light sky blue, with the Milky Way shown in lighter blue.)

The mask, whose purpose is to obscure the stars except those up in the sky, is also a work of ingenuity. The planisphere is designed for latitudes between 40 and 60 degrees north, a wide range, but unlike the Levy planisphere, which is a bit larger and covers a similarly wide range of latitudes, the mask is not simply set for a latitude in the middle of the range. Instead, the mask has three separate horizon lines--one for 60 degrees, one for 50 degrees, and one for 40 degrees. The latitude range is a bit high, being designed for use in Europe as well as North America, but there are things you can do to make the planisphere usable even outside that range. (See my page at http://astro.isi.edu/notes/firefly.html for more on this.)

In addition to these two standard components of the planisphere, the Firefly planisphere has a third component: a pointer, calibrated with a declination line (marked to the nearest degree) and the analemma, too. The declination line can be rotated freely from the map and mask, allowing you to measure the declination of any star. The analemma can be used to find out more precisely the time of sunrise and sunset. The procedure for doing so is a bit complex, but is described in detail in the accompanying 24-page booklet, written by noted author Storm Dunlop.

Of course, the booklet covers all the other functions of the planisphere. It also has a section describing the various types of objects plotted on the planisphere. In addition, the booklet gives the celestial coordinates for the planets at various times from 2003 through 2006. By using the right ascension dial on the map disc, and the declination markings on the pointer, one can easily pinpoint the location of most of the planets, plus the asteroids Ceres and Vesta, to within perhaps half a degree.

In short, the Firefly planisphere has just about everything one could hope for in a planisphere, except it doesn't employ the clever trick of the Chandler planisphere to reduce distortion. Why not?

It's because, as it happens, the other side of the Firefly planisphere is already used up--with a second star map, this one to a slightly larger scale, showing stars to magnitude 6.0. It's just about a fully functional unaided-eye star map! Because it only employs blue and black ink on a white sky, this map is easier to use under a red flashlight than the front map. The printing on this side is not quite as nice as the front side, with the constellation and declination lines especially showing some aliasing effects, but they don't noticeably affect the use of this map, only its aesthetics.

It's impressive to me that all this functionality (a) can be squeezed onto a 15-inch disc, and (b) costs so little, relatively speaking. Yes, it is expensive as planispheres go, but only because so much work went into its making, and because you can get correspondingly much information out of it. I've seen planispheres that go as deep in stellar catalogue, but without nearly as many objects or features, go for twice as much. And if, like me, you enjoy star maps on the face of it, you'll definitely want to get this one, because like John Keats's thing of beauty, it's "a joy for ever."

Excellent and highly usable
This is probably the best planisphere I have (I have 3) and very usable. It is usable both as a desk top study/planning tool and also out in the field. The front side of the planisphere that contains the sky mask is more suited for indoors use. The color-coded stars and red constellation lines are impossible to see in the dark with a red flashlight. However, this side is eminently suitable as a desk top planning tool given the tremendous wealth of detail and info.
The back side of the planisphere is unmasked and contains a very detailed sky map mainly for Norhern hemisphere users. This is blue-tone printed and is usable in the dark and the details show up well under a red flash light. An extra bonus are detailed markings of double stars, variable stars, all the Messier objects and selected NGC objects, such as the double cluster. The large size of the planisphere might be ergonomically inconvenient in the field and a little dorky looking, but hey it's virtually a star atlas with all the fabulous detail! After using this planisphere for a while, I picked up some of my others and they just look juvenile. I've gotten spoilt! I would say the next most decent planisphere is one of David Chandler's ( I like the distortion-free flip side Southern view option of his).

Planisphere Deluxe
This planisphere provides a wealth of detail and usefulness for latitudes between 40 and 60 degress north, and for stars below magnitude 6. It is perfect for visual, binocular, or telescope observing. Its large size and plastic guide provide accurate RA and Dec values; astronomical objects are color coded and their magnitude is indicated by relative size. One side of the planisphere has a celestial map allowing identification of the night sky on any day, guided by an appropriate "mask" revealing the sky that's visible. The opposite side of the planisphere has no "mask" but is a complete map of the sky for the latitudes covered - if you don't have an atlas of the sky, this is a great starting point. The planisphere is large, aiding accuracy, and is very sturdy and well made. For many people, this may be the tool that gets them hooked on astronomy, even if they don't have a telescope! Though I have several other planispheres, none compares; it's one of those quality products that's a joy to use! The planisphere comes with a 24 page guidebook that is not totally clear; however, the instrument itself leaves me totally satisfied. ... Read more

Book Description

Celestial Delights

The Best Astronomical Events through 2010 by Francis Reddy and Greg Walz-Chojnacki

In the coming decade, North Americans will be treated to an exciting parade of meteor showers, planetary transits, lunar eclipses, and strong displays of northern lights. Learn to identify what’s happening in the night sky with CELESTIAL DELIGHTS, both an introduction to astronomy and a calendar of upcoming celestial events written for urban and suburban sky-gazers—country skies and expensive telescopes not required. This revised editionpredicts and explains numerous naked-eye events with the same lucid writing and easy-to-grasp diagrams that earned the first edition rave reviews. An astronomy guide for the layperson, CELESTIAL DELIGHTS deepens our appreciation of what we see when we gaze at the stars, and inspires us todo so more often. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great book!
This book is easy to read and understand with lots of diagrams and illustrations. It covers everything from meteor showers to eclipses to viewing planets. There are illustrations to show exactly where to look in the sky (helpful for those of us who aren't too familiar with the constellations), and a calendar in the back which shows you what will be happening each month till 2010. I have always enjoyed astromony, but I always felt like I missed eclipses or forgot about meteor showers. This book will solve those problems! ... Read more