Universe Guide to Stars and Planets

Provides monthly star charts, describes each constellation, and reviews what is known about the sun, moon, planets, and stars

The Universe Guide to Stars and Plan ets is a succinctly written and excel lently illustrated guide to the Moon, stars, planets, and other celestial ob jects. Its most important feature is a series of 88 constellation maps accom panied by information on the objects visible within each constellation. The book is similar in content and format to, but more detailed in many respects than, Mark R. Chartrand's popular Skyguide (Golden Pr., 1982). This guide will be especially useful for ama teur astronomers using binoculars or telescopes and is recommended for public libraries in need of a compre hensive guide to the night sky. The Skywatcher's Handbook is in tended as an introductory guide to both the day and night sky. The first part of the book is devoted to weather patterns, cloud types, and other, most ly meteorological, phenomena. The second section covers stars, planets, and other celestial objects. A third sec tion provides helpful techniques for observing and recording the sky. While the text and illustrations are ad equate to very good, the wide scope of the book does not allow for as exten sive treatment of some basic topics as beginners might desire. This book could be a useful addition, however, to public library collections with limited holdings on the topics covered. Jo seph Hannibal, Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.