Overview
Schaaf leads off with an introductory section that provides fundamental knowledge about astronomy, so that even the complete novice can plunge into the book at any month and follow the discussion. The section starts with naked-eye astronomy, describing how the starry heavens are mapped and organized. It then delves into telescopic astronomy, explaining the basic structure of the universe (including the various kinds of stars, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies) and offering advice about selecting and using telescopes and binoculars.
The rest of the book uses a month-by-month organization, highlighting the constellations, stars, "deep-sky objects," meteor showers, and other special phenomena visible each month, with many fascinating insights into the science, history, and lore of each month’s sights. Schaaf’s many years of monthly columns in Sky & Telescope and similar writing he has done for many publications (the Old Farmer’s Almanac, Mother Earth News, and others) make him the world’s leading expert in the monthly format of astronomy sights.
Complete with beautiful maps, drawings, photos, and a very useful glossary, this is the perfect book for savoring the experience of skywatching the whole year through.
This book title, A Year of the Stars (A Month-By-Month Journey of Skywatching), ISBN: 9781591020929, by Fred Schaaf, published by Prometheus Books (December 1, 2003) is available in hardcover. Our minimum order quantity is 25 copies. All standard bulk book orders ship FREE in the continental USA and delivered in 4-10 business days.
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