Pocket Nature: Stargazing: Contemplate the Cosmos to Find Inner Peace

by Swapna Krishna

Part of the Pocket Nature series, this petite volume features helpful tips for stargazing, plus thoughtful meditations related to stars, space, and the universe. 

In a cool palette with celestial illustrations, Stargazing is a must-have companion for amateur astronomers, space enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, and anyone looking to slow down and find time for contemplation.

In these pages, learn about features of the night sky, from the Milky Way to moon craters to the planets in our solar system; read a brief history of stargazing in cultures around the world; and discover seventeen notable constellations to observe in the northern hemisphere throughout the year. With ruminative meditations on the universe, moonlight, stardust, and more, this pocket-size guide to the cosmos has everything you need to better understand and appreciate the night sky.

THE BROAD APPEAL OF THE NIGHT No matter where you live, you can look up to the heavens after nightfall and appreciate the beauty of the stars. This insightful book will appeal to people of all ages, whether they're interested in practicing mindfulness, learning about astronomy, or admiring the natural wonders of our world (and beyond!).

LOVELY Stargazing  is a thoughtful gift for budding astronomers, space enthusiasts, campers and outdoorsy types, and mindfulness practitioners. Package it with a telescope, NASA socks, or other books in the Pocket Nature series, such as Cloud Spotting and Sunset Seeking  (a sky-themed trio!). 

NATURE AS   As a response to our increasingly digital world, people are turning to the outdoors as an escape and a place to unwind. Observing a starry night sky provides a quiet moment after a long day to set aside tasks and to-dos and instead contemplate the vastness of our universe. This book makes it easy to stargaze—and learn something new in the process!

PERENNIAL + The topics covered in the Pocket Nature series are perennial—sunsets, beaches, clouds, mushrooms, stars, and leaves will always be there to enjoy and admire. With new titles coming out every season, each affordably priced, there will be ever-new opportunities to grow a charming collection that looks great on the shelf.

Perfect

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Nature, Space

128 pages, Hardcover

Published August 8, 2023

Reviews

[Carolyn Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fact that I get to give this book a *star* rating makes me very pleased!

I found this book by chance at The Strand bookstore in NYC. I was immediately intrigued, since I’m quite nerdy when it comes to stars and astronomy.
I appreciated that this book was written as a type of “introduction” to stargazing (and astronomy as a whole), since I’m not a huge expert on the subject.
It was extremely interesting and made me want to learn even more about our vast and awe inspiring universe!

[Girl and Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected more.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the Pocket Nature series. This volume follows their pattern of clear, uncomplicated information about a natural experience--in this case, stargazing--within the context of mindfulness. An enjoyable and peaceful read.

[Hubert RvR · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short piece is a good reminder of what one of the most common denominators across most civilizations have been - interest in the 'what's up there in the sky'. The author sells her passion for astronomy in a compelling way, by merging good introductory info about the unaided eye stargazing science (Northern Hemisphere focused) with proposals of meditation exercises. A reader will find a ton of useful facts, e.g. 88 (17 visible with naked eye) officially recognized constellations, what the ecliptic is, types of main-sequence stars, how to read the surface of the moon (between the Sea of Serenity and the Tycho Crater), when and why Earth will have a new North Star (Thuban), how to find Orion belt and the "W" of cassiopeia constellation. As the quote from MLK kicks this piece of 'But I know somehow, only when it's dark enough, can you see the stars', this short piece puts things in the correct perspective.

[Kelly Sedinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book about space and stargazing! Intended as an introductory text, the tone is warm and inviting, with a few hints throughout of the kind of cosmic worldview of the Carl Sagans and Neil DeGrasse Tysons of the world.

[ella lars · Rating 5 out of 5]

i want this tattooed

[Narayan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a highly enjoyable brief overview of star gazing. Swapna Krishna discusses the science, myths and our connections to the stars and the universe. I look forward to her future works!

[Sarra Tebib · Rating 2 out of 5]

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