Stars and Planets by Ian Ridpath
In this new edition of their classic guide, Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion bring the night sky down to earth with brand new sky charts, diagrams, and photos that enrich the clear, engaging text. "Stars and Planets" will delight both latent astronomers who have yet to touch a telescope and the more star-savvy who have spent many a night outside craning their necks behind a lens. The introduction presents the basics of astronomical observation while answering such questions as: How did constellations come to be? Do the stars within them have anything to do with one another? Do stars really flicker? Next comes the book's centerpiece: an excellent series of maps of the night sky from hemisphere to hemisphere, month to month and, above all, charts showing all 88 constellations, including some 5,000 stars. The text vividly relates the human history behind each constellation and notes their most prominent stars while offering sundry stimulating facts. The second section focuses on the astrophysics behind stars, galaxies, the sun, the planets, comets and meteors, and more. Striking full-color photos, maps, and illustrations appear on almost every page. The guide concludes with helpful tips on the optical tools of the trade and on astrophotography. Astrophysicists and amateur skywatchers agree that "Stars and Planets" is simply the most user-friendly, compact source of celestial information available. No one should leave home at night without it. This work includes up-to-date full-color photos and data, including recent planetary images. It includes monthly maps of the night sky as seen from latitudes throughout the world. It charts of all 88 constellations, with data and notes on bright stars and other objects of interest. It provides an illustrated introduction to stars, nebulae, galaxies, and the solar system. It offers advice on choosing and using binoculars and telescopes.
The handy size, copious illustrations, maps and charts, as well as the latest in astrophotography throughout.. practically beg[s] astronomers to take [Stars and Planets] along to star parties. ronomy For those who gaze at the night sky, seeking the familiar patterns known to sailors and shepherds, this field guide will be an invaluable companion. -- Bruce E. Fleury Science Books & Films [A] first-class pocket field guide to the sky... The charts, by Wil Tirion, are what we would expect of this master of celestial cartography; they are uncluttered, easy to read, and compress many (but not too many!) objects in a small space... [A] very nicely produced book. -- John Mosley Planetarian This marvelously dense field guide tells you everything you need to know to find your way around the sky, whether you are an eager novice who is just looking around or a serious observer using binoculars or a telescope. Discover [C]omprehensive yet compact... This beautiful guide is suitable for amateurs and novices as well as stargazers more acquainted with navigating their night skies. -- Irene Wanner Seattle Times [A] rich resource for advanced amateurs, but novices will also like the star charts (both Northern and Southern hemispheres) and abundant explanatory text detailing each of the 88 constellations and the stars within them, as well as the sun, moon, planets, and Milky Way. Library Journal
Ian Ridpath, an amateur astronomer, is an author and broadcaster on stars and planets for a general audience. He is the editor of, among other titles, Norton's Star Atlas, The Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy, and The Monthly Sky Guide. Wil Tirion is among the world's foremost celestial photographers and illustrators.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780691089133 |
| ISBN 10 | 0691089132 |
| Title | Stars and Planets |
| Author | Ian Ridpath |
| Series | Princeton Field Guides |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Princeton University Press |
| Year published | 2001-01-08 |
| Number of pages | 408 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |