Stars and Planets (Princeton Field Guides, 12) - Softcover

Ridpath, Ian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0691089132 ISBN 13: 9780691089133

Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2001

Synopsis

In this new edition of their classic guide, Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion bring the night sky down to earth with brand new sky charts, diagrams, and photos that enrich the clear, engaging text. Stars and Planets will delight both latent astronomers who have yet to touch a telescope and the more star-savvy who have spent many a night outside craning their necks behind a lens.

The introduction presents the basics of astronomical observation while answering such questions as: How did constellations come to be? Do the stars within them have anything to do with one another? Do stars really flicker? Next comes the book's centerpiece: an excellent series of maps of the night sky from hemisphere to hemisphere, month to month and, above all, charts showing all 88 constellations, including some 5,000 stars. The text vividly relates the human history behind each constellation and notes their most prominent stars while offering sundry stimulating facts.

The second section focuses on the astrophysics behind stars, galaxies, the sun, the planets, comets and meteors, and more. Striking full-color photos, maps, and illustrations appear on almost every page. The guide concludes with helpful tips on the optical tools of the trade and on astrophotography. Astrophysicists and amateur skywatchers agree that Stars and Planets is simply the most user-friendly, compact source of celestial information available. No one should leave home at night without it.

• Up-to-date full-color photos and data, including recent planetary images


• Monthly maps of the night sky as seen from latitudes throughout the world


• Charts of all 88 constellations, with data and notes on bright stars and other objects of interest


• Illustrated introduction to stars, nebulae, galaxies, and the solar system


• Advice on choosing and using binoculars and telescopes

About this title

Review:

Stars and Planets is a sturdy, thorough field guide for amateur astronomers. The book's first section is a general introduction to astronomy. A solar system primer and constellation catalog are followed by a month-by-month night sky guide. Filled with clear, easy-to-read star charts, photos, and diagrams, this is the perfect starter for beginning astronomers, and a handy reference for those with a little more experience. You'll find information on stargazing equipment, a glossary of terminology, and the history of each cosmic feature's discovery. Like all the Eyewitness Handbooks, this one will be a terrific addition to your family science library. --Therese Littleton

From the Back Cover:

"A concise and beautifully illustrated guide to the sky's best sights, and to the science behind them."--Mitchell Begelman, author ofTurn Right at Orion: Travels through the Cosmos

"Ridpath and Tirion are an unbeatable team. Ridpath writes concisely and movingly about the sky, and Tirion's charts are beautifully done and easy to follow. This is a superb guide to the night sky."--David H. Levy, author ofShoemaker by Levy (Princeton) and co-discoverer of the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9.

About this edition

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0691089132
• ISBN 13: 9780691089133
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 408
• Illustrator: Tirion Wil