The perfect introduction for the novice astronomer, this book stirs the imagination and puts observation in a framework of social activity and personal adventure. Written by an award-winning astronomer, it is a technical guide to the sky, full of helpful practical hints. The author’s lively style engages, entertains, and informs. Newcomers will learn how to enjoy the Moon, planets, comets, meteors, and distant galaxies observable through a small telescope. Levy describes the features of the Moon from night to night; how to observe constellations; how best to view the stars, nebulae, and galaxies; how to follow the planets on their annual trek among the constellations; how to map the sky; how to find a new comet; how to buy or even make a telescope; what to see in a month of lunar observations or a year of stellar observation; and much more.
• David Levy is one of the world’s best-known amateur astronomers
• Lively and entertaining style, with a sense of personal adventure
• Covers the whole of visual astronomy
Contents
Foreword; Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I. Getting Started: 1. First night out; 2. Without a telescope; 3. Meteors; 4. Choosing a telescope; 5. Telescopes, advanced; 6. Recording your observations; Part II. Moon, Sun and Planets: 7. The moon; 8. Moon II: advanced observations; 9. The sun; 10. Jupiter; 11. Saturn; 12. Mars; 13. Five planets worth watching; Part III. Minor Bodies: 14. Asteroids; 15. Comets; Part IV. Deep Sky: 16. Double stars; 17. Variable stars; 18. TV corvi: a variable star adventure; 19. The deep sky; 20. Messier hunting; 21. The sky on film; 22. The electronic revolution, part I: CCDs; 23. The electronic revolution, part II: astrometry; Part V. Special Events: 24. Solar eclipses; 25. Lunar eclipses and occulations; Part Vi. A Miscellany: 26. Passing the torch; 27. The poet's sky; 28. My favorite objects; Appendix: resources; Index.
Reviews
‘… a very good read and is certainly value for money.’ Peter Mata, Spaceflight
‘I would unhesitatingly recommend it to the novice astronomer starting out, or the advanced observer in need of some gentle encouragement.’ Neil English, Astronomy Now
'… essential reading when preparing for a night under the stars … a book which should find a place on every astronomer's shelf, and in every astronomer's heart.' Astronomy & Space
The perfect introduction for the novice astronomer, this book stirs the imagination and puts observation in a framework of social activity and personal adventure. Written by an award-winning astronomer, it is a technical guide to the sky, full of helpful practical hints. The author’s lively style engages, entertains, and informs. Newcomers will learn how to enjoy the Moon, planets, comets, meteors, and distant galaxies observable through a small telescope. Levy describes the features of the Moon from night to night; how to observe constellations; how best to view the stars, nebulae, and galaxies; how to follow the planets on their annual trek among the constellations; how to map the sky; how to find a new comet; how to buy or even make a telescope; what to see in a month of lunar observations or a year of stellar observation; and much more.
• David Levy is one of the world’s best-known amateur astronomers
• Lively and entertaining style, with a sense of personal adventure
• Covers the whole of visual astronomy
Contents
Foreword; Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I. Getting Started: 1. First night out; 2. Without a telescope; 3. Meteors; 4. Choosing a telescope; 5. Telescopes, advanced; 6. Recording your observations; Part II. Moon, Sun and Planets: 7. The moon; 8. Moon II: advanced observations; 9. The sun; 10. Jupiter; 11. Saturn; 12. Mars; 13. Five planets worth watching; Part III. Minor Bodies: 14. Asteroids; 15. Comets; Part IV. Deep Sky: 16. Double stars; 17. Variable stars; 18. TV corvi: a variable star adventure; 19. The deep sky; 20. Messier hunting; 21. The sky on film; 22. The electronic revolution, part I: CCDs; 23. The electronic revolution, part II: astrometry; Part V. Special Events: 24. Solar eclipses; 25. Lunar eclipses and occulations; Part Vi. A Miscellany: 26. Passing the torch; 27. The poet's sky; 28. My favorite objects; Appendix: resources; Index.
Reviews
‘… a very good read and is certainly value for money.’ Peter Mata, Spaceflight
‘I would unhesitatingly recommend it to the novice astronomer starting out, or the advanced observer in need of some gentle encouragement.’ Neil English, Astronomy Now
'… essential reading when preparing for a night under the stars … a book which should find a place on every astronomer's shelf, and in every astronomer's heart.' Astronomy & Space
