The Practical Astronomer

Discover the wonders of the Universe with this complete introduction to observing and understanding the night sky. This practical guide explains and demystifies stargazing, teaching you to recognize different kinds of objects and showing you how they move through the sky over the course of the night and the year. It shows you how to understand and enjoy the cosmos, building your practical astronomy skills from the basics to more advanced techniques. Beginning with an explanation of the Universe itself - how big is it, what shape is it, how old is it, and will it end? - it then takes you on a tour around the night sky, building up your knowledge in simple stages. Practical advice begins with naked-eye observations, then illustrated step-by-step instructions show you how to set up and use binoculars and telescopes and how to take your own pictures of the night sky. It also lets you take a closer look at the different objects you can view in the night sky, telling you how to train your eye to recognize basic patterns of stars (constellations) and how to tell planets apart from other celestial bodies, showing you how to observe them in an innovative step-by-step way. An atlas of the night sky is also included, with charts that can be used in both the northern and southern hemispheres throughout the year. Accessible, inspirational, and authoritative, The Practical Astronomer will enthuse and inform anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of the night sky.

For anyone who's ever looked at the night sky and wanted to know more about the galaxy around them, The Practical Astronomer offers a comprehensive guide to discovering and understanding the mysteries of the solar system and beyond. Illustrated with specially commissioned photography and artwork, and using clear, easy-to-follow text, The Practical Astronomer takes you on a step-by-step journey from the basics of what can be seen with the naked eye from your own backyard, to how you can view more distant objects such as the planets of the solar system, and even galaxies far, far away. The book opens with an explanation of the fundamentals of astronomy, detailing when, where, and how to look at the night sky. It goes on to cover the necessary equipment and clothing that the amateur astronomer needs, reviewing optical equipment such as binoculars and telescopes, how they work and how to use them. A special section focuses on photography and covers the "how-to's" of capturing beautiful images of what you see. The Practical Astronomer aims to foster an awareness and understanding of what you're looking at-be it a planet, star, or asteroid. Different sections are devoted to looking at how the night sky changes, whether that's because it's viewed from a different place in the world or at a different time of year. Star charts and detailed maps of the night sky are included to aid budding astronomers in their quest to know more about this fascinating subject.

The Compendium of Practical Astronomy is unique. The practical astronomer, whether student, novice or accomplished amateur, will find this handbook the most comprehensive, up-to-date and detailed single guide to the subject available. It is based on Roth’s celebrated German language handbook for amateur astronomers, which first appeared over 40 years ago.

You’ll be seeing stars all year round in this dazzling guide to the night sky. This comprehensive reference book shines bright with crystal-clear month-by-month charts of the planets, stars, and constellations in the northern and southern hemispheres. The Night Sky Month by Month features specially-commissioned artworks and stunning photography introducing the main attractions to spot every month, including bright stars, key constellations, and meteor showers. You can get started with ideas for the best equipment to use and top tips for budding beginners and amateur astronomers alike. Then see for yourself how views of the night sky change dramatically depending on the location and time. Soon you’ll be navigating the night sky for yourself, following the paths of the planets, tracking the phases of the Moon, and preparing for special celestial events. Get ready to find your place in the Universe with the ultimate night sky atlas.

Combines an historical and how-to approach to explain the major principles of astronomy for beginners.

Here is a comprehensive guide for every amateur astronomer who hopes to do more than just star-gaze. If you already own an astronomical telescope and want to know how to use it to the best effect, or if you are thinking about buying one and are wondering where to start, this this is the book for you.

Now in its fourth edition, this highly regarded book is ideal for those who wish to solve a variety of practical and recreational problems in astronomy using a scientific calculator or spreadsheet. Updated and extended, this new edition shows you how to use spreadsheets to predict, with greater accuracy, solar and lunar eclipses, the positions of the planets, and the times of sunrise and sunset. Suitable for worldwide use, this handbook covers orbits, transformations and general celestial phenomena, and is essential for anyone wanting to make astronomical calculations for themselves. With clear, easy-to-follow instructions for use with a pocket calculator, shown alongside worked examples, it can be enjoyed by anyone interested in astronomy, and will be a useful tool for software writers and students studying introductory astronomy. High-precision spreadsheet methods for greater accuracy are available at www.cambridge.org/practicalastronomy.

Beginning astronomy -- Learning your way -- Astronomical equipment -- Star charts -- Recording observations -- Near-earth events -- The moon -- The sun -- Observing the planets -- Observing the outer planets -- The stars -- Deep-sky objects.