Atlas of the Moon

A best-seller that traces the history of the Moon, its surface, its origin and evolution, and its exploration. Includes a detailed map of 76 sections of the Moon's surface observable by telescope. Designed for both beginning and experienced lunar observers. By Antonin Rukl. 8 1/4 x 11; 224 pgs.; 75 b&w photos; 190+ diagrams; hardcover. Available to U.S. customers only.

This is a great book for telescope users and a fine one for ordinary browsers. It is an up-to-date atlas of the observable part of the moon. Maps of the moon compose the bulk of the book's 224 pages.

The introduction discusses history, terminology, phases of the moon, and the moon's surface. This is followed by maps of 76 sections of the near side of the moon, each accompanied by a small locator map. Facing pages include place-names and their derivations as well as map coordinates. Following the maps are photographs of interesting lunar formations (craters, ring mountains, walled plains), advice on setting up and using a telescope, descriptions of eclipses, and a glossary. There is a thorough bibliography and index of named formations at the end of the book. One can look up Amundsen, for example, and locate the ring mountain named after him.

The only comparable works are Moon-Mars-Venus (Hamlyn, 1976) and Alter's Pictorial Guide to the Moon (1967). This new book has far more information clearly presented, and names are up-to-date. As director of the Prague Planetarium, the author is knowledgeable and explains terms clearly. Any library with even one patron interested in or studying astronomy should consider this book.