Books – Astronomy, Space and A Whole Lot More…
Books For Christmas: Tis the season to be jolly and Christmas Presents are foremost on our minds. Books have always been the perfect Christmas gift and a gift for all seasons.
For Christmas this year, the Meteorwatch team have put together a fine collection of books which are out of this world. There are books to please armchair astronomers and books to impress wannabe astronauts and more! It can be hard work thinking about what Christmas presents to buy friends and loved ones. So we made this book list to help you.
Pour a glass of festive cheer and enjoy the list of books here:
Please read on for some great book ideas for Christmas. There are no spammy pop-ups, spammy articles, or the need to click through endless pages. Just scroll down the list effortlessly.
Images and descriptions credit: Amazon.co.uk
The Secret World of Stargazing
‘A book that will make the night sky your lifelong passion. An invitation to immerse yourself in the nature around you and the Universe beyond.‘ – Professor Brian Cox
The Secret World of Stargazing is the ultimate guide to set you on your epic journey around the cosmos – it’s a simple guide to the skies and makes stargazing fun, easy and enjoyable for all – absolutely no equipment is required!
Adrian West, AKA the internet sensation VirtualAstro, will take you through the seasons, showing you exactly what you can spot in the sky throughout the year, whether you’re in your back garden or sitting on an exotic beach somewhere! While you’re learning how to spot constellations, meteors and comets, you will be switching off your busy mind, sitting still in nature and paying attention to the small details that make up the big picture of life.
You’ll finish reading this beautiful book and come away with a sense of grounding, connection, knowledge and a whole new appreciation of the sky above and the world outside your own – it will soothe your soul.
The Importance of Being Interested: Adventures in Scientific Curiosity
Comedian Robin Ince quickly abandoned science at school, bored by a fog of dull lessons and intimidated by the barrage of equations. But, twenty years later, he fell in love and he now presents one of the world’s most popular science podcasts. Every year he meets hundreds of the world’s greatest thinkers.
In this erudite and witty book, Robin reveals why scientific wonder isn’t just for the professionals. Filled with interviews featuring astronauts, comedians, teachers, quantum physicists, neuroscientists and more – as well as charting Robin’s own journey with science – The Importance of Being Interested explores why many wrongly think of the discipline as distant and difficult. From the glorious appeal of the stars above to why scientific curiosity can encourage much needed intellectual humility, this optimistic and profound book will leave you filled with a thirst for intellectual adventure.
We once thought of our Earth as unique, but we have now discovered thousands of alien planets, and that’s barely a fraction of the worlds that are out there. And there are more stars in the Universe than grains of sand on every planet in the Solar System. But amid all this vastness, the Milky Way Galaxy, our Sun and the Earth are home to the only known life in the Universe – at least for now.
With a foreword from Professor Brian Cox, and access to all the latest stunning NASA photography, Andrew Cohen takes readers on a voyage of discovery, via the probes and telescopes exploring the outer reaches of our galaxy, revealing how it was formed and how it will inevitably be destroyed by the enigmatic black hole at its heart. And beyond our galaxy, the expanding Universe, which holds clues to the biggest mystery of all – how did it all begin? We now know more about those first moments of existence than we ever thought possible, and hidden in this story of how it all began are the clues to the fate of the Universe itself and everything in it.
Backyard Astronomer’s Field Guide
David Dickinson, co-author of The Universe Today Guide to Viewing the Cosmos, has created the ultimate field guide for backyard astronomers. Whether you want to impress viewers at a star party, or learn what you can see with your new telescope, David shows you how to find the most impressive the night sky has to offer. Backyard astronomy has become more accessible through apps and technology, but they tend to be inaccurate and a source of frustration when trying to find objects with your telescope. With 44 sky charts and David’s expertise, it’s like having a pro-astronomer out in the field with you. Broken down by month and by hemisphere to ensure you get the best possible view, David shows you how to find objects like spiral galaxies, the 14th brightest star in the sky, and other stars that bring the “wow factor” to astronomy.
A Cat’s Guide to the Night Sky
Universe Today Ultimate Guide to Viewing The Cosmos, The (International Edition)
If you’ve ever been interested in the night sky and the wonders above our heads, search no further: your ultimate resource for all things in the universe is here. From David Dickinson and Fraser Cain, publisher of the widely popular astronomy news site, Universe Today, comes the complete guide of the night sky, ranging from the best tips and tricks for viewing, an overview of the solar system and our galaxy to exclusive interviews with top NASA scientists, interwoven with exclusive, beautiful photography from top night sky photographers. The foreword will be written by top industry professional, Dr. Pamela Gay. With calendars, charts and graphs, you’ll treasure this definitive resource for many night sky viewings from now and for years to come.
2022 Guide to the Night Sky: A month-by-month guide to exploring the skies above Britain and Ireland
The ideal gift for all amateur and seasoned astronomers.
“This is a great guide to the night sky at a great price”Astronomy Now
“A handy and straightforward guide … attractive little booklet” British Astronomical Association’s ‘Journal’
“an ideal Christmas stocking-filler” The Observatory
From the Number One Astronomy publisher, the bestselling stargazing handbook to the planets, stars and constellations visible from the northern hemisphere. 6 pages for each month covering January–December 2022.
This practical guidebook is an easy introduction to astronomy and a useful reference for seasoned stargazers.
Designed for Britain and Ireland but usable anywhere in the world between 40°N and 60°N, covering most of Europe, southern Canada and the northern United States.
- Advice on where to start looking and a map of dark sky sites to avoid light pollution.
- Charts for the circumpolar and seasonal constellations.
- Easy-to-use star charts for each month with descriptions of objects and events to look for in 2022.
- Positions of the moon, visible planets and eclipses.
- Includes a section on comets and a detailed map of the moon.
- Now in three editions: Britain and Ireland; North America; Southern Hemisphere.
Written and illustrated by astronomical experts, Storm Dunlop and Wil Tirion, and approved by the astronomers of the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
The Astronaut Selection Test Book: Do You Have What it Takes for Space?
Have YOU got what it takes to be an astronaut?
This book will help readers of all ages find out. Featuring 100 real astronaut tests and exercises from the European Space Agency’s rigorous selection process, ranging from easy to fiendishly hard, The Astronaut Selection Test Book goes where no puzzle book has gone before.
Including puzzles and tests on:
· visual perception and logic
· mental arithmetic and concentration
· psychological readiness
· teamwork and leadership
· survival, physical and medical skills
· foreign languages (every astronaut has to know Russian!)
and much more, this richly illustrated book draws on Tim Peake’s first-hand experience of applying to be an astronaut in 2008, when he and five others were chosen – out of over 8,000 applications!
We’ve all dreamed of being an astronaut, though of the estimated 100 billion people who have ever lived, only 557 people have travelled to space. But with this unprecedented look into real astronaut selection, you might just find out your dreams can become reality…
_________________________
HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM SOLVER…
_________________________
Tim Peake and the ESA will receive no royalties from this book; instead, they will be donated to the Prince’s Trust charity.
Astronomy for Kids: How to Explore Outer Space with Binoculars, a Telescope, or Just Your Eyes!
“No matter how many times you’ve orbited the Sun, Astronomy for Kids is really for kids of all ages. Dr. Betts shows you how to become an astronomer–an observer of the stars. With this book, you can know the cosmos and your place within it. Read on, walk out, and look up!”–Bill Nye, science educator, author, and CEO of The Planetary Society
One of the coolest things about outer space is that anyone can explore it. All you have to do is go outside and look up! Using plain sight, binoculars, or a small telescope, Astronomy for Kids shows stargazers how easy it is to explore space, just by stepping outside.
With this book as their guide to the northern hemisphere, kids will learn to find and name amazing objects in the night sky. Fully illustrated with fun facts throughout, kids can point out sights to friends and family, saying things like, “that’s Jupiter,” and, “those stars are the constellation Cygnus the Swan,” and maybe even, “that group of stars doesn’t have a name but I think it looks like my dog getting belly rubs.”
From the Milky Way Galaxy to Mars to the Moon’s craters and mountains–Astronomy for Kids helps young astronomers discover important parts of our solar system, with:
- 30 sights for the naked eye (yes, 30!) objects to see without any equipment, including Orion’s Belt, the Big Dipper, Mars, and even the International Space Station.
- 25 sights magnified with binoculars or a basic telescope to make objects in the sky easier to find and explore. Plus, buying tips and usage tricks to get the most out of astronomy equipment.
- Clear illustrations that show kids where to look and what they can expect to see.
Like all big things, outer space is something you have to see to believe. Astronomy for Kids teaches kids that planets, shooting stars, constellations, and meteor showers are not only in books–but right above them.
Universal: A Journey Through the Cosmos
When exactly did life begin? What really happened during the big bang – and before it? Is the universe expanding? Is dark matter real? Do we live in one of many worlds? What’s more, how can we prove any of this?
This book is all about how we – any of us – can gain an understanding of the Universe in all its awe-inspiring glory. Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw take us on an epic journey of scientific exploration, revealing how the biggest questions – from the size of the earth to the distance to the stars – are answerable from our own back gardens.
You don’t need a Large Hadron Collider or a Hubble Space Telescope to explore the cosmos. You just need this book.
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
“Tyson has told the story of our Universe magnificently in these 12 short chapters…This may have been written for people in a hurry, but I urge you to take your time. It will all be over far too soon.” BBC Sky at Night
There’s no better guide through mind-expanding questions such as what the nature of space and time is, how we fit within the universe, and how the universe fits within us than Neil deGrasse Tyson.
But today, few of us have time to contemplate the cosmos. So Tyson brings the universe down to Earth succinctly and clearly, with sparkling wit, in digestible chapters consumable any time and anywhere in the busy day. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry reveals just what you need to be fluent and ready for the next cosmic headlines: from the Big Bang to black holes, from quarks to quantum mechanics and from the search for planets to the search for life in the universe.
Space Atlas: Mapping the Universe and Beyond
For space enthusiasts, science lovers, and star gazers, the newly revised edition of National Geographic’s enduring guide to space, with a new introduction by American hero Buzz Aldrin, combines thoroughly updated maps, lavish photographs, and elegant illustrations to chart the solar system, the universe, and beyond.
A guided tour of the solar system, the Milky Way galaxy, the universe, and beyond, with detailed maps and fascinating imagery from recent space missions partnered with clear, authoritative scientific information. Starting with the sun and moving outward into space, acclaimed science writer and physicist James Trefil illuminates each planet, the most important moons, significant asteroids, and other objects in our solar system. Moving beyond, he explains what we know about the Milky Way and other galaxies beyond–and how we know it. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of his moonwalk, astronaut and American hero Buzz Aldrin offers a special section on Earth’s moon and its essential role in space exploration past and future.
Hello, is this planet Earth?: My View from the International Space Station (Official Tim Peake Book)
The first book by astronaut Tim Peake – a mesmerising collection of over 150 of Tim’s stunning photographs that he took on board the International Space Station, many of which have not been seen before. Includes a personal commentary from Tim. Tim’s proceeds received from the books sales will be donated to The Prince’s Trust.
The Science Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained
Exploring more than 80 of the world’s most scientific theories and big ideas across the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, geology, and maths, this book offers a fascinating look at the history of science.
Discover how Galileo worked out his scientific theories of motion and inertia, why Isaac Newton gets the credit for them, and what the discovery of DNA meant.
All the big scientific ideas are brought to life with quirky graphics, pithy quotes and step-by-step “mind maps” – from evolution and continental drift to black holes and genetic engineering – using eye-catching artworks to show how the ideas of famous scientists have affected our understanding of the world.
Whether you are a science student, a historian, or just have an interest in scientific ideas, The Science Book is a perfect way to explore this fascinating subject.
Astronomy Photographer of the Year: Collection 7: A decade of the world’s best space photography
All the winning and shortlisted images from the 2018 Insight Investment Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, hosted by the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. Plus a section looking back on the images from 10 years of the competition.
The images are submitted in one of the following categories:
Image Categories
• Aurorae
• Skyscapes
• People and Space
• Our Sun
• Our Moon
• Planets, Comets and Asteroids
• Stars and Nebulae
• Galaxies
• Young Competition (aged 15 years or under)
Special Prize Categories
• The Sir Patrick Moore Prize for Best Newcomer
• Robotic Scope
Each image is accompanied by caption, photographer, location and technical details.
Exhibition
The National Maritime Museum hosts an exhibition of the winners of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition, showcasing some incredible images of the sky.
www.rmg.co.uk/astrophoto
The Sky at Night: Book of the Moon – A Guide to Our Closest Neighbour
Featured on BBC Radio 4 Saturday Live and BBC Breakfast
The moon has fascinated humankind since the beginning of history. But far from being just a big rock out in space, the Moon has a phenomenal power over the earth, with it‘s ability to create great waves, dictate the length of the day and summon the seasons. It is a key player in the story of our planet.
In this unique celebration of the Moon, lunar expert and space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin Pocock takes readers on a journey through the Moon’s past, present and future. She uncovers the way the Moon has captured our imaginations, contemplates how it was formed, and uncovers why we need the Moon to protect our fragile earth. Drawing on the latest scientific research, she then looks forward to what might be to come – will we return to the moon or will it become a launch pad to go into the great unknown?
Filled with fascinating facts and anecdotes, and written with warmth and passion, The Book of the Moon is for scientists and stargazers alike. You’ll never look at our closest neighbour in the same way again.
The Universe in Your Hand: A Journey Through Space, Time and Beyond
Imagine if The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy were a real, practical book about the mysteries of the universe…
The Universe In Your Hand takes us on a wonder-filled journey to the surface of our dying Sun, shrinks us to the size of an atom and puts us in the deathly grip of distant Black Holes. Along the way you might come to understand, really understand, the mind-bending science that underpins modern life, from Quantum Mechanics to Einstein’s theory of General Relativity.
Through brilliant storytelling and humour rather than graphs and equations, internationally renowned astrophysicist Christophe Galfard has written an instant classic that brings the astonishing beauty of the universe to life – and takes us deep into questions about the beginning of time and the future of humanity.
2019 Wall Calendar: Earth and Space
Take a tour of the universe with this breathtaking calendar featuring remarkable photographs from the archives of NASA. Astonishing images of space will captivate anyone with an interest in science and astronomy, while engaging and informative text will spark wonder all year long.
Astronomy Manual (Owners’ Workshop Manual)
NEW IN PAPERBACK. This innovative Haynes Manual presents in-depth information about all the practical aspects of astronomy. Written with style and enthusiasm by a dedicated amateur and extensively illustrated, this book applies the Haynes approach to a popular and inspirational hobby that requires plenty of practical information and understanding. Whether novice or keen amateur, everyone with an interest in astronomy will be fascinated by this Haynes Manual.
10 years on from the first, groundbreaking, Planet Earth, we use the most incredible advances in technology and scientific discovery to bring you the most exciting and immersive picture of our world’s wildlife yet.
With over 250 breathtaking photographs and stills from the BBC Natural History Unit’s spectacular footage, this is an extraordinary new look at the complex life of some of the most amazing places on Planet Earth.
Each of the books chapters reveal an environment – some never-before-seen, some astonishingly familiar – defined by a unique set of rules required for survival. From the most desolate desert to the depths of the jungle, from blistering heat and freezing cold to perpetual darkness and deadly UV, discover how a whole host of creatures have adapted to life in the most extreme conditions. And how they compete with one another to become the largest, the fastest, the most poisonous, or most devious – all in a bid to survive.
Planet Earth II includes the first in-depth look at the urban environment, and the surprising range of behaviors occurring right under our noses, as well as some previously untouched island worlds. Filmed with remarkable 5k and infra-red technology, these are the challenges, the confrontations, and the triumphs of some of the most extraordinary creatures in the natural world, told from their perspective.
This is our planet, as you have never seen it before.
13 Journeys Through Space and Time: Christmas Lectures from the Royal Institution
An exploration of space and time and a journey of discovery, through thirteen of the most fascinating Christmas Lectures given at the Royal Institution of Great Britain over the last 200 years. With a foreword by ESA astronaut Tim Peake.
Started at the Royal Institution (RI) in 1825 by Michael Faraday, the Christmas Lectures have been broadcast on television since the 1960s and have formed part of the British Christmas tradition for generations. First devised to attract young people to the magic of science through spectacular demonstrations, they are now watched by millions of people around the world every year.
Drawing on the incredible archive at the RI, which is packed full of handwritten note books, photographs and transcripts, this book will focus on thirteen of the most captivating Lectures given at the RI on space and time, taking a look at what we thought we knew then and what has been discovered since.
Sun, Moon and Stars (Usborne Beginners)
What is the Sun made of? How did astronauts get to the Moon and what did they find there? For children beginning to read on their own, books like this are an exciting introduction to space. Includes vivid, full colour illustrations and photographs on every page, and easy-to-read text specially written with the help of a reading expert.
An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth
Colonel Chris Hadfield has spent decades training as an astronaut and has logged nearly 4,000 hours in space. During this time he has broken into a Space Station with a Swiss army knife, disposed of a live snake while piloting a plane, been temporarily blinded while clinging to the exterior of an orbiting spacecraft, and become a YouTube sensation with his performance of David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’ in space. The secret to Chris Hadfield’s success – and survival – is an unconventional philosophy he learned at NASA: prepare for the worst – and enjoy every moment of it.
In his book, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth, Chris Hadfield takes readers deep into his years of training and space exploration to show how to make the impossible possible. Through eye-opening, entertaining stories filled with the adrenaline of launch, the mesmerizing wonder of spacewalks and the measured, calm responses mandated by crises, he explains how conventional wisdom can get in the way of achievement – and happiness. His own extraordinary education in space has taught him some counterintuitive lessons: don’t visualize success, do care what others think, and always sweat the small stuff.
You might never be able to build a robot, pilot a spacecraft, make a music video or perform basic surgery in zero gravity like Colonel Hadfield. But his vivid and refreshing insights in this book will teach you how to think like an astronaut, and will change, completely, the way you view life on Earth – especially your own.
Turn Left at Orion: Hundreds of Night Sky Objects to See in a Home Telescope – and How to Find Them
With over 100,000 copies sold since first publication, this is one of the most popular astronomy books of all time. It is a unique guide book to the night sky, providing all the information you need to observe a whole host of celestial objects. With a new spiral binding, this edition is even easier to use outdoors at the telescope and is the ideal beginner’s book. Keeping its distinct one-object-per-spread format, this edition is also designed for Dobsonian telescopes, as well as for smaller reflectors and refractors, and covers Southern hemisphere objects in more detail. Large-format eyepiece views, positioned side-by-side, show objects exactly as they are seen through a telescope, and with improved directions, updated tables of astronomical information and an expanded night-by-night Moon section, it has never been easier to explore the night sky on your own. Many additional resources are available on the accompanying website, www.cambridge.org/turnleft.
Goodnight Spaceman (Goodnight 6)
Inspired by ESA astronaut Tim Peake and his sons, and featuring an introduction from Tim, this is the perfect bedtime book!
Two space-mad little boys get ready for bed and say goodnight to their toy rockets, launch pads and planet mobiles, before being whisked away into space on an adventure beyond their wildest dreams . .
Cosmos: The Story of Cosmic Evolution, Science and Civilisation
The story of fifteen billion years of cosmic evolution transforming matter and life into consciousness, of how science and civilisation grew up together, and of the forces and individuals who helped shape modern science. A story told with Carl Sagan’s remarkable ability to make scientific ideas both comprehensible and exciting. One of the most popular astronomy books of all time.
i-SPY In the night sky: What can you spot? (Collins Michelin i-SPY Guides)
Search for over 140 sights in the night sky with this i-SPY guide. This fun activity book encourages kids to look above them, from stars and constellations to the moon and eclipses, in search of i-SPY points. A fun, interactive way to encourage curious children to learn about the world around them
What can you spot? Get i-SPYing with these features:
• Vibrant colour coded photographs
• Tips for budding astrologers on constellations and how eclipses happen
• Points to score from common constellations like The Plough (10 points) to top spots such as comet (50 points)
Children love these fun and fascinating i-SPY activity books – discover over 30 other i-SPY guides in the series!
In a convenient folded format, Philip’s Moon Map is a superbly detailed, large-format map of the near (visible) side of the Moon. Specially drawn for Philip’s by Dr John Murray, an expert on the lunar surface, the map is not only a highly accurate and clear representation of the Moon but is also a practical guide for lunar observers.
More than 500 physical features – craters, seas, mountain ranges, peaks, valleys and rilles (elongated depressions) – are named and indexed, and the landing sites of unmanned and manned spacecraft are also marked. The observer can thus readily identify objects seen through binoculars or a telescope, or pick targets for a programme of observation.
The accompanying text is a practical guide to Moonwatching, which explains how to use the map and highlights the most interesting lunar features. Close-up images of some of these objects show what the observer can expect to see. Also included are photographs of the Moon at each daily stage and a smaller map of the far side, as revealed by satellites. Guidelines on drawing or photographing the Moon are also included.
The International Space Station (Let’s Read-&-find-out Science)
The International Space Station races through space at 17,500 miles per hour. How do people live there? What may they discover? Find out the story of the twenty-first century’s great scientific adventure. Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 2001–selected by Natn’l Science Tchrs Assoc. & Child. Bk Cncl. and Booklist “Top 10 Science Books for Children” 2000
The Urban Astronomy Guide: Stargazing from towns and suburbs
Philip’s The Urban Astronomy Guide provides the ideal introduction to the fascinating hobby of astronomy for the town dweller. These days, you don’t have to live close to a city or town centre to suffer from the effects of light pollution. From your back garden or rooftop observing site, your night sky will be illuminated by light from the surrounding city or town. And while, like everyone else, you will have to contend with the vagaries of the weather, you will have the added problem of poor air quality. But despite these difficulties, there is still a host of celestial delights to be seen!
This books, author Robin Scagell shows that night-time lighting and the resultant brightening of the sky can be combated, and demonstrates how to make the best of poor conditions. Although the unaided eye may be able to pick out only a few hundred stars, binoculars or a small telescope will reveal many times that number. A little optical aid can also give you good views of every type of major astronomical object, including star clusters, nebulae and galaxies.
For example, for those who want to develop their interest further, there are special filters that let through the light from distant nebulae while blocking out wavelengths infested by unwanted stray light from streetlights. And modern CCDs allow modest amateur telescopes to penetrate the urban sky glow and reveal sights that would have taxed the largest professional instruments only 30 years or so ago.
Philip’s The Urban Astronomy Guide will show you how to get the most out of almost any sky with whatever equipment you have, or even with none at all.
Philip’s 101 Objects to Spot in the Night Sky: A Fun and Practical Guide to the Stars and Planets
The new Philip’s 101 Objects To Spot In The Night Sky is a fun and practical guide to identifying and observing 101 of the most fascinating and exciting sights in the northern-hemisphere sky for young newcomers to astronomy, explaining what can be seen using the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope.
This books, author Robin Scagell shows the novice astronomer where to look in the sky to see a particular object, or group of objects or sights, which may be a planet, its rings or satellites, a series of lunar craters, a constellation, asteroids, meteors, a nebula, galaxy or star cluster, for example. He explains what you can expect to see with just the naked eye and describes the object in detail, giving observing tips for better viewing.
A concise ‘fact file’ is provided for major objects, and readers can award themselves ‘points’ for their skill in finding the object in the first instance, with higher scores given for spotting some of its more elusive or hard-to-see features.
Philip’s 101 Objects To Spot In The Night Sky is illustrated in full colour throughout, with approximately 300 high-quality photographs, diagrams and star maps.
Philip’s 2022 Stargazing Month-by-Month Guide to the Night Sky Britain & Ireland
Discover the latest in stargazing with the new and definitive guide to the night sky.
Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or just starting out, Philip’s Stargazing 2022 is the only book you’ll need. Compiled by experts and specially designed for use in Britain and Ireland, Stargazing 2022 acts as a handily illustrated and comprehensive companion.
Reach for the stars
Stargazing is the practice of observing the night sky and its contents – from constellations through to planets and galaxies. Stars and other night sky objects can be seen with the naked eye, or seen in greater numbers and in more detail with binoculars or a telescope.
Stargazing For Dummies offers you the chance to explore the night sky, providing a detailed guide to the main constellations and also offering advice on viewing other night sky objects such as planets and nebulae. It?s a great introduction to a fun new hobby, and even provides a fun way to get the kids outside while doing something educational!
- Gives you an introduction to looking at the sky with binoculars or a telescope
- Offers advice on photographing the night sky
- Without needing to get your head around mind–bending theories, you can take part in some practical physics
If you?re looking for easy–to–follow guidance on getting to know the night sky, Stargazing For Dummies has you covered. One of the best books around.
The Usborne Official Astronaut’s Handbook
Discover how you become an astronaut, the training you must undertake, how you travel into space and what you do when you’re up there. With a foreword from ESA astronaut Tim Peake, the first British astronaut to embark on a mission to the International Space Station. Published in association with the UK Space Agency.
From the sun’s super-hot core to the many moons of Neptune, we’re traveling to the far reaches of our solar system and beyond! Astronomer Dean Regas presents Facts from Space!–an exciting education on everything outside our atmosphere. Inside, you’ll discover space facts and celestial trivia, including:
- A day on Venus is longer than its year.
- Early space missions ejected human waste into space, where it froze into intricate crystals that still float in space today.
- After being in space, some astronauts returned to Earth up to 2 inches taller than when they left.
- The stars in the Big Dipper are shifting among themselves and will look like a “Big Spatula” by the year 75,000.
- And more!
Packed with fascinating information, it’s a stellar read for sci-fi fans and at-home astronomers alike!
Big Book of Stars and Planets (Big Book)
Children can explore the wonders of space in these incredible picture books with giant fold-out pages full of fascinating facts to satisfy the curiosity of every young space enthusiast. From the Sun and the planets in our Solar System to massive stars and vast galaxies and lots, lots more, there’s a whole universe to discover.
Big Book of Rockets and Spacecraft (Big Book)
Open the giant fold-out pages of this books to discover the powerful rockets and spacecraft that explore outer space. From early rockets and Moon missions to space stations and probes, learn what it takes to blast off from Earth and even live in space. The oversized pages show magnificent spacecraft and rockets to scale, up-close and in detail.
This classic star atlas is ideal for both beginning astronomers and more experienced observers worldwide. The clear, full-color maps show stars, clusters and galaxies visible with binoculars or a small telescope. The atlas also features constellation boundaries and the Milky Way, and lists objects that are interesting to observe. This new edition features a clearer map of the Moon’s surface, showing craters and features; a second Moon map, mirror reversed for users of telescopes with star diagonals; enhanced index charts showing the constellations more clearly; and a new data table listing stars hosting planetary systems. It is now spiral bound, making it ideal for use at the telescope.
The Monthly Sky Guide, 10th Edition
A user-friendly companion for stargazers of all ages, this classic beginner’s guide describes all the main sights of the night sky: stars, constellations, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies. Newly updated, its twelve chapters cover each month, identifying planet positions and eclipses. Most phenomena are visible to the naked eye, and all are within reach of binoculars or a small telescope. Includes sections on observing the moon and planets
Where’s Wally? In Outer Space: Activity Book
Have fun solving crazy conundrums and amazing activities that are out of this world with Wally and friends! Play tangle line teasers, find your way out of a space race maze, unscramble muddled up words, crack alien codes, match and spot the differences in busy picture puzzles, get creative by colouring in, complete a planet hop game and much, much more! Can you also find Wally’s super special star? There are over 100 crazy cosmic stickers and lots of extra things to find and do!
Professor Astro Cat’s Frontiers of Space
Professor Astro Cat is the smartest cat in the alley. He’s got a degree in just about every discipline under the sun!
Speaking of the sun, he happens to be specialist on that too, and Professor Astro Cat’s Frontiers of Space will tell you everything that there could be to know about our star, our planet, our solar system, our galaxy, and our universe. The professor’s made sure of that; he’s a fastidious little feline!
Professor Astro Cat’s Frontiers of Space also explores topics such as gravity, extraterrestrial life, time, and many other fascinating subjects that will take you and your children on a journey to the very frontiers of space!
Throughout much of the world, night skies are growing increasingly brighter, but the force that protects the remaining naturally dark sky, unpolluted byartificial light, is the same that saves its ancient treesisolation. Staking outsome of the world s last dark places, photographer Beth Moon uses a digital camera to reveal constellations, nebulae, and the MilkyWay, in rich hues that are often too faint to be seen by the naked eye. As inher acclaimed first volume, Ancient Trees: Portraits of Time, these magnificentimages encounter great arboreal specimens, including baobabs, olive trees, andredwoods, in such places as South Africa, England, and California. In her artist s statement, Beth Moon describes the experience of shooting atnight in these remote places. An essay by Jana Grcevich, postdoctoral fellow ofastrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History, provides the perspectiveof a scientist racing to study the stars in a world growing increasinglybrighter.Clark Strand, the author of Waking Up to the Dark: Ancient Wisdom for a Sleepless Age, takes a different tack, illuminating theinherent spirituality of trees.”
The Practical Astronomer (Dk Astronomy)
A complete beginner’s guide to observing the night sky
Understand and enjoy the solar system and beyond with this practical guide to astronomy.
Pick up all the basics of sky-watching. Start off by taking a tour around the night sky in simple stages, discovering how it fits together and how it works. Then take a closer look at the objects you can see and learn to train your eye to recognize basic patterns of constellations and how to tell planets apart from other celestial bodies. Plus, there’s advice on buying and using kit, from binoculars to telescopes.
Packed with detailed maps of the night sky and star charts to help any budding astronomer in their quest to find out more about this fascinating subject.
Philip’s Astronomy Starter Pack
A new edition of the exciting Philip’s Astronomy Starter Pack, suitable for use in the Northern Hemisphere, containing three essential items to introduce the beginner to the fascinating hobby of astronomy: a ‘glow-in-the-dark’ planisphere, an 80-page paperback book about the stars and planets, and a colourful wall poster of the Solar System.
Philip’s Glow-in-the-Dark Planisphere: This planisphere has been specially made so that, after being held under a bright light, the stars and the names and shapes of the constellations will glow in the dark for a period. It is both a fun and practical starfinder for identifying the stars and constellations visible on any night of the year from the UK, Northern Europe, Northern USA and Canada (51.5 degrees North); the star map is drawn by the well-known celestial cartographer Wil Tirion. A sheet explaining how to use the planisphere is included in the pack.
Philip’s Exploring Stars and Planets: A colourful and entertaining introduction to the exciting world of astronomy, this 80-page paperback is illustrated with more than 200 colour photographs, artworks and maps, as the author Ian Ridpath describes the latest developments in the fast-moving fields of space exploration and astronomy. Concise chapters introduce the Sun, the Earth and all the other planets in our Solar System. Then, moving further into space, the author examines the stars and galaxies, and explores the origin of the Universe.
Philip’s Solar System Poster: A large attractive folded wall chart (580 x 870mm) illustrating the planets and other bodies in the Solar System, with informative text and tables by Ian Ridpath.
Collins Stargazing: Beginners guide to astronomy (Royal Observatory Greenwich)
A brilliant new introductory guide to the night sky, from the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
Offering complete advice from the ground up, Stargazing is the perfect manual for beginners to astronomy – introducing the world of telescopes, planets, stars, dark skies and celestial maps.
Discover how to tackle light pollution, how to stargaze with just your eyes, and what equipment is best for beginners.
Astronomy experts Radmila Topalovic and Tom Kerss explain the best ways to plan your stargazing experience and the keys things to look out for on specific dates throughout the year.
With seasonal star charts, constellation charts and facts about our Solar System, Stargazing is packed of useful information and guidance for both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Bridging the gap between human curiosity and the need for scientific expertise, Stargazing allows a complete novice to understand our place in the cosmos and enjoy the beautiful and extraordinary wonders of the night sky.
The perfect companion to the best-selling Guide to the Night Sky books from Collins, Stargazing is a great way to get started in the fascinating world of astronomy.
International Space Station Manual (New Ed) (Owners’ Workshop Manual)
The International Space Station (ISS) is a permanently manned earth-orbiting complex where astronauts carry out research into a wide range of scientific activities. It comprises modules built in the USA, Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada. Author David Baker examines how the ISS was built, the logistics modules and freighters operated by its user nations, how the ISS works as an integrated facility, life on board, what the ISS does, the research carried out and who benefits.
Invaluable for both beginners and advanced observers, Philip’s Planisphere (Latitude 51.5 North) is a practical hour-by-hour tracker of the stars and constellations, designed for use anywhere in Britain and Ireland, Northern Europe, Northern USA and Canada. Turn the oval panel to the required date and time to reveal the whole sky visible from your location.The map, by the well-known celestial cartographer Wil Tirion, shows stars down to magnitude 5, plus several deep-sky objects, such as the Pleiades, the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and the Orion Nebula (M42). Because the planets move round the Sun, their positions in the sky are constantly changing and they cannot be marked permanently on the map; however, the back of the planisphere has tables giving the positions of Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn for every month until 2020.The planisphere is supplied in a full-colour wallet that contains illustrated step-by-step instructions for how to use the planisphere, how to locate planets, and how to work out the time of sunrise or sunset for any day of the year. It explains all the details that can be seen on the map – the magnitudes of stars, the ecliptic and the celestial coordinates. In addition, the section ‘Exploring the skies, season by season’ introduces the novice astronomer to the principal celestial objects visible at different times of the year. Major constellations are used as signposts to navigate the night sky, locating hard-to-find stars and some fascinating deep-sky objects. The movement of the stars is also explained
