The 50 Best Sights in Astronomy and How to See Them: Observing Eclipses, Bright Comets, Meteor Showers, and Other Celestial Wonders

by Fred Schaaf

Fred Schaaf is one of the most experienced astronomical observers of our time. For more than two decades, his view of the sky--what will be visible, when it will be visible, and what it will look like--has encouraged tens of thousands of people to turn their eyes skyward.
--David H. Levy, Science Editor, Parade magazine, discoverer of twenty-one comets, and author of Starry Night and Cosmic Discoveries

""Fred Schaaf is a poet of the stars. He brings the sky into people's lives in a way that is compelling, and his descriptions have all the impact of witnessing the stars on a crystal clear dark night.""
--William Sheehan, coauthor of Mars: The Lure of the Red Planet and The Transits of Venus

The night sky holds endless fascination for anyone who chooses simply to look up and observe, but with so much to see, it can be difficult to know where to start. This remarkable book introduces you to the fifty best sights in astronomy and tells you exactly how to see them. In no time at all, you will learn how to find and appreciate the Orion group of constellations; the Summer Triangle; Venus, Jupiter, and Mars; the best meteor showers; man-made satellites; star clusters; novae; variable stars; and more.

The sights are presented according to the field of view necessary to see them. Your eyes and a clear night sky are all you need to view the sights in the first part of the book, before moving on to those that can be observed through binoculars and, finally, a telescope. Concise descriptions and explanations of these spectacular visual wonders will deepen your appreciation of them and spur further exploration. You will also find the essential basic information on astronomical observation you need to get started, including observing conditions, techniques, telescopes, and astronomical measurements.

Once you start gazing, you'll see that the sky really is the limit--and discovering its amazing treasures will become your lifetime passion.

Genres: Science, Astronomy, Nonfiction, Space

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Pete daPixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 2007, Fred Schaaf's 'The 50 best sights in Astronomy' is, I think, purely for the practical astronomer. I think I've had most of these sights in my telescopic eyepiece over a period of the last 30 years, but Schaaf's enthusiastic text still makes enthralling reading for me.
The book is divided into sections of increasing viewing power, from naked eye, binocular and on into higher power telescopic fields.
Sure, there are better books around for the absolute beginner, as there are for the more experienced amateur astronomer, however, if you are considering using optical aids to point at the night sky then this book can provide some help and inspiration.
To be critical, there are no awe inspiring colour plates, just black and white pics and drawings. Also, if you are a reader from the southern hemisphere of the planet then read something else.

[Fairport Public Library]

January 2008

Recommended by Pat R

[Charissa Shepard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accessed this book through my local public library.
This book is a very good field guide to the night sky in North America. I believe the title should be changed to reflect that it is much more geographically specific than it's current title suggests.
These sights are well documented, and stunningly described with enough details and tips to make sure that if you look for it, you can find it. I liked the organization by field-of-view; it created a much easier scale of reference for me to think through while I was stuck in a city full of light-pollution. This book is great whether you are a beginner or an expert, whether you own your own telescope, binoculars, or no aid at all. The descriptions helped me "see" what I may not have noticed before and may not be capable of seeing from my spot on the globe with my lack of equipment. I found a few of the longer descriptions to be confusing or not organized enough, but overall, I would recommend.

[Kingspence · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book sucks.

[Devynne_M · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book wasn't what I thought it would be. I picked it up to learn more on stars and to see what I can see in yhe sky since I live in yhe country but it barly even gives you facts