Synopses & Reviews
A visual guide to the night sky viewed from around the world. The clearest and sharpest recognition guides to the natural world, Smithsonian Handbooks make identification of individual animals, plants, minerals, and other phenomena sure, simple, and straightforward. Authoritative text, hundreds of crystal-clear charts and photographs, and a simple, jargon-free approach make the Smithsonian Handbook of Stars and Planets the most accessible and comprehensive guide to observing the night sky, suitable both for beginners and experienced astronomers alike.
About the Author
Ian Ridpath is an avid amateur observer, whose writings and broadcasts have now established him as one of the world's leading authorities on astronomy. His articles have been published in newspapers and magazines all over the world.
Table of Contents
Universe -- What is a star? -- Star families and variable stars -- Solar System -- Celestial sphere -- Star names and conventions -- Observing the stars -- Binoculars and telescopes -- Astrophotography -- Solar System: Sun -- Mercury -- Venus -- Earth -- Moon -- Mars -- Jupiter -- Saturn -- Uranus -- Neptune -- Pluto -- Comets and meteors -- Asteroids and meteorites -- Constellations: constellations A-Z -- Monthly sky guides: January -- February -- March -- April -- May -- June -- July -- August -- September -- October -- November -- December.