Synopses & Reviews
An international bestseller for more than a decade,
The Star Guidehas been the bible for stargazers everywhere. Now, Robin Kerrod, one of the world’s leading writers on astronomy and space, has expertly updated this invaluable resource to include the most recent developments in astronomical research and technology.
The Star Guide, Second Edition, present the latest findings from the world’s astronomers, as well as by the Hubble Space Telescope and the Magellan probe to Venus. The Photographic coverage has been dramatically enhanced by the newest jaw-dropping views of the universe, which were captured by the latest generation of ground-based telescopes like the Very Large Telescope in Chile and space telescopes such as the Hubble at the Chandra Observatory.
This thoroughly revised edition has also been reorganized to make it even more user-friendly. It retains the moon maps, the detailed maps of the monthly night skies, and the featured constellations that so distinguished the first edition, as well as the immensely useful detachable planisphere. Each key constellation has become the focus feature that dissects the monthly sky where it is more prominent and best observed.
A specially engineered and unique visual cross-referencing system provides easy access to information and to Explanations of core terms and concepts. Discussion and analysis of the astronomer’s tools includes advice on the use of binoculars, telescopes, computers, and cameras. Feature boxes explain scientific theory and both recent and ancient astronomical history harking back to stargazing’s mythological foundations in ancient Greece. Recent planetary discoveries from the newest space probes and landers bring us closer to the cosmos than ever before.
Easy-to-follow star charts means that The Star Guiderelies on the user’s observations made with binoculars and the naked eye—you don’t need to be an expert astronomer to interact with the heavens! Star sightings and an introduction to the galactic wonders of giant stars, comets, supermassive black holes, hurling asteroids, satellites, and other uncharted deep space territory are sure to inspire.
Plunge headfirst into the fascinating minutiae of the celestial sphere. From the explosive birth of a star to an eclipse to a cloudy nebula, The Star Guidedemystifies astronomy and gets you up close and personal with the awesome wonders of the universe.
Synopsis
The Star Guide is for everyone who has marveled at the beauty of the night sky and wanted to know more about the stars. User-friendly and thoroughly up to date, The Star Guide demystifies astronomy and gives you all the information you need to appreciate the wonders of the universe, from the explosive birth of a star to an eclipse to a cloudy nebula. It reflects the latest findings by the world's astronomers, as well as by the Hubble Space Telescope and the Magellan probe to Venus. Totally visual and completely accessible, the guide features easy-to-follow star charts to help you locate the major constellations. Moreover, The Star Guide includes a high-quality "planisphere" (a plastic rotating star finder) to help identify the stars overhead at any given time on any day of the year. With its spectacular color art, planisphere, and vidvidly descriptive style, The Star Guide is an informative, entertaining, and fascinating journey through the cosmos.
Synopsis
More than 150 full-color photographs and illustrations capture the spectacular wonder and drama of space More than 60 easy-to-read color star charts guide you star by star and month by month through the winter, spring, summer, and fall skies Reference pages and feature boxes provide further background information A practical, high-quality planisphere (star-finder), pictured above, lets you identify the stars overhead at any given time on any day of the year Informative, clear, easy-to-use and lavishly illustrated, The Star Guide puts the Universe at your fingertips and lets you learn about the heavens through actual observation.
Synopsis
A thorough revision of the bestselling guide to the night sky - over 100,000 copies sold!
The first edition of The Star Guideintroduced readers of all ages to the wonders of the night sky. Now comes the highly anticipated revised edition, expertly updated by one of the world's leading writers on astronomy and space. Illustrated throughout in full color, the guide features spectacular new photographs from the Hubble Space Telescope, more than 60 easy-to-use star charts, and an invaluable detachable planisphere. Special sections explain the nature of stars and galaxies and what makes the universe tick.
Synopsis
This thoroughly revised and updated edition of the international bestselling guide to the night sky puts the universe at your fingertips, featuring more than 60 easy-to-read color star chart that map the heavens—month by month and season by season—as different stars and constellation come and go.
- Easy to use and lavishly illustrated, The Star Guideis expertly written by one of the world’s leading writers on astronomy and space.
- The high-quality planisphere is an invaluable tool for following the stars and constellations visible every hour of every night of the year.
- Backing up visual observations of the night sky, special information sections provides essential reading to help understand the nature of stars and galaxies and what makes the universe tick.
- Spectacular new images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope are the highlights of more than 150 full-color photographs that provide a stunning backdrop to this unparalleled study of the night sky.
Synopsis
The Star Guide The Star Guide is for everyone who has marveled at the beauty of the night sky and wanted to know more about the stars. User-friendly and thoroughly up to date, The Star Guide demystifies astronomy and gives you all the information you need to appreciate the wonders of the Universe from the explosive birth of a star to an eclipse to a cloudy nebula. It reflects the latest findings by the world's astronomers, as well as by the Hubble Space Telescope and the Magellan probe to Venus. Totally visual and completely accessible, the guide features easy-to-follow star charts and a high-quality planisphere to help you locate the major constellations. Moreover, The Star Guide relies on the user's observations made with binoculars and the naked eye. Novice astronomers are taken through the orbits of the planets of the solar system as well as to stars beyond. Written with clarity and infectious enthusiasm by best-selling science writer Robin Kerrod, and illustrated with more than 150 full-color photos and drawings, The Star Guide offers an uncomplicated and unconventional means of space exploration. A specially devised visual cross-referencing system provides easy access to information and to explanations of terms and concepts. Feature boxes explain scientific theory and both recent and ancient astronomical history. Discussion and analysis of the astronomer's tools are also included in this comprehensive sourcebook. You'll find advice on how to use binoculars, telescopes, computers, and cameras in your astronomical observations. With its spectacular color art, planisphere, and vividly descriptive style, The Star Guide is an informative, entertaining, and fascinating journey through the cosmos.
Description
Includes bibliographic references (p. 45) and index.
About the Author
ROBIN KERROD is an enthusiastic astronomer and space buff who travels the world to observe, photograph, and report on astronomical phenomena. A Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and the British Interplanetary Society, he is well known on both sides of the Atlantic for his books on astronomy, space, and the sciences, with more than 130 titles to his credit.
Table of Contents
Introduction.
1. Patterns in the Sky.
2. Mapping the Stars.
3. Key Constellations.
4. The Moon.
5. The Sun.
6. The Sun's Family.
7. Astronomers at Work.