The Monthly Sky Guide

by Ian Ridpath (Author), Wil Tirion (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  1990

  $3.25

  Now in its third edition and updated with planet positions for a five-year period from 1993 to 1997, the highly acclaimed Monthly Sky Guide remains the essential beginners' guide to the night sky. Expertly and lucidly written in nontechnical language, it is the first book any nonspecialist stargazer needs for practical identification with the naked eye. It contains clear maps of the sky for each month of the year, realistically depicting the stars visible to the naked eye and uniquely featuring a symbol of a clenched fist to show the scale. With the help of these clear and easy-to-read charts, the stars and constellations visible on any night of the year in the Northern hemisphere between 30 and 60 degrees North can be identified. In addition, specific constellations of interest are treated in detail for each month, with a map and descriptions of selected objects, showpiece stars, clusters, nebulae, and galaxies for viewing with binoculars or a small telescope. There are notes on regular meteor showers and the changing positions of the planets are given to 1997.

• Used

  Paperback
  2009

  $3.25

  This classic beginner's guide to the night sky has been updated with planet positions and forthcoming eclipses up to the end of the year 2014, a guide to observing the Moon, comprehensive Moon maps with labelled features, and information on observing the four brightest planets: Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. This eighth edition of Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion's famous guide will appeal to astronomers of all ages. This book contains a chapter for every month, describing the prominent stars, constellations, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies that are visible. The 50 clear and easy-to-use maps provide a simple introduction to the skies of the northern hemisphere. Most of the sights are visible to the naked eye, and all are within reach of binoculars or a small telescope.