Nigh Sky : A Guide to Field Identification

by Chartrand, Mark R.; Wimmer, Helmut

• ISBN13: 9781582381268
• ISBN10: 1582381267
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-04-14
• Publisher: Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press

Summary

Don't' miss the best meteor shower of the year. Discover the figure of the boy, "Jack," on the moon. Quickly locate favorite constellations such as the Big and Little Dipper, Orion, Draco, and Cassiopeia. No other guide makes it easier for the casual stargazer or beginning astronomer to enjoy the splendors of the universe and appreciate the laws that govern the sun, moon, planets, and stars. Ideal for viewing with the naked eye, binoculars, or small telescopes Seasonal sky maps for each region of the United States Expert help photographing celestial events Solar eclipse timetable and safe viewing tips

Author Biography

Golden Guides first appeared in 1949 and quickly established themselves as authorities on subjects from Natural History to Science. Relaunched in 2000, Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press feature modern, new covers as part of a multi-year, million-dollar program to revise, update, and expand the complete line of guides for a new generation of students.

Table of Contents

Introduction	5	(2)
Astronomical Symbols and Abbreviations	7	(1)
Basic Astronomy
Terrestrial Coordinates	8	(2)
Horizon Coordinates	10	(2)
The Celestial Sphere	12	(2)
Celestial Coordinates	14	(2)
Time and the Sky	16	(2)
Time Zones	18	(2)
Sundials and the Equation of Time	20	(4)
The Seasons	24	(2)
Parallax and Precession	26	(2)
Astronomical Instruments
Basic Optics	28	(2)
Telescopes and Telescope Mountings	30	(4)
Astrophotography	34	(4)
Binoculars for Sky watching	38	(2)
The Atmosphere	40	(2)
Aurorae	42	(2)
Zodiacal Light and Gegenschein	44	(18)
Stars
The Magnitude Scale	46	(2)
Star Colors and Spectral Type	48	(2)
Stellar Evolution	50	(2)
Multiple Stars	52	(4)
Variable Stars	56	(2)
Open Star Clusters	58	(2)
Globular Star Clusters	60	(2)
Galactic Nebulae	62	(2)
Galaxies	64	(2)
The Brightest Stars---A Table	66	(3)
The Constellations---A Table	69	(3)
Using Star Charts and Catalogs	72	(2)
Using Sky Maps and Constellation Charts	74	(38)
North Circumpolar Constellations	76	(2)
Spring Skies	78	(8)
Summer Skies	86	(8)
Fall Skies	94	(8)
Winter Skies	102	(8)
South Circumpolar Constellations	110	(2)
The Constellation Charts---In Alphabetical Order	112	(88)
The Solar System	200	(2)
The Sun	202	(8)
Solar Eclipses	204	(2)
How to View the Sun Safely	206	(2)
Table and Maps of Solar Eclipses	208	(2)
The Moon	210	(16)
Lunar Features	212	(6)
Moon Phases	218	(2)
Tides	220	(2)
Lunar Occultations	222	(2)
Lunar Eclipses	224	(2)
Meteors and Meteor Showers	226	(24)
The Planets and Related Objects
Mercury	230	(2)
Venus	232	(2)
Mars	234	(2)
Jupiter	236	(2)
Saturn	238	(2)
Uranus, Neptune, Pluto	240	(2)
Asteroids	242	(2)
Comets	244	(2)
Orbits	246	(2)
Planetary Phenomena	248	(2)
The Invisible Universe	250	(20)
APPENDICES
Positions of Sun and Planets	252	(5)
Planetary Satellites Table	257	(1)
Phases of the Moon	258	(3)
Sunrise and Sunset Tables	261	(4)
Planetariums and Observatories	265	(2)
Bibliography -- Books and Magazines	267	(2)
Sources of Astronomical Equipment and References	269	(1)
Index	270