David Levy's Guide to the Night Sky
David Levy's Guide to the Night Sky
$58.99
USDThe perfect introduction for the novice astronomer, this book stirs the imagination and puts observation in a framework of social activity and personal adventure. Written by an award-winning astronomer, it is a technical guide to the sky, full of helpful practical hints. The author's lively style engages, entertains, and informs. Newcomers will learn how to enjoy the Moon, planets, comets, meteors, and distant galaxies observable through a small telescope. Levy describes the features of the Moon from night to night; how to observe constellations; how best to view the stars, nebulae, and galaxies; how to follow the planets on their annual trek among the constellations; how to map the sky; how to find a new comet; how to buy or even make a telescope; what to see in a month of lunar observations or a year of stellar observation; and much more.
- David Levy is one of the world's best-known amateur astronomers
- Lively and entertaining style, with a sense of personal adventure
- Covers the whole of visual astronomy
Reviews & endorsements
"... [A] friendly collection of topics that takes the beginner from the ground level of naked-eye sky watching step by step to advanced amateur work. The author is an enthusiast, and he makes it contagious. While reading this book you feel compelled to grab a telescope and go out and look." Sky and Telescope
"...[A]n excellent book for the serious astronomer who really wants to learn the sky...If you are interested in the night sky and really want to learn more about serious observing, then (this book) is a must, no matter what your area of interest or experience level." Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin
"A simple but detailed--and thoughtful--instructional manual for personal astronomy." Griffith Observer
"The book would be particularly valuable to anyone taking up amateur astronomy for the first time. It is an excellent guide, and the author obviously knows the sky well....Overall a delightful book, one every amateur astronomer should have in his or her bookcase. Strongly recommended." Choice
Product details
December 2001Paperback
9780521797535
372 pages
245 × 170 × 20 mm
0.59kg
116 b/w illus. 6 tables
Available
Table of Contents
- Foreword
- Preface
- Acknowledgements
- Part I. Getting Started:
- 1. First night out
- 2. Without a telescope
- 3. Meteors
- 4. Choosing a telescope
- 5. Telescopes, advanced
- 6. Recording your observations
- Part II. Moon, Sun and Planets:
- 7. The moon
- 8. Moon II: advanced observations
- 9. The sun
- 10. Jupiter
- 11. Saturn
- 12. Mars
- 13. Five planets worth watching
- Part III. Minor Bodies:
- 14. Asteroids
- 15. Comets
- Part IV. Deep Sky:
- 16. Double stars
- 17. Variable stars
- 18. TV corvi: a variable star adventure
- 19. The deep sky
- 20. Messier hunting
- 21. The sky on film
- 22. The electronic revolution, part I: CCDs
- 23. The electronic revolution, part II: astrometry
- Part V. Special Events:
- 24. Solar eclipses
- 25. Lunar eclipses and occulations
- Part Vi. A Miscellany:
- 26. Passing the torch
- 27. The poet's sky
- 28. My favorite objects
- Appendix: resources
- Index.
