Stars & Planets

DK Smithsonian Handbooks

by Ian Ridpath, D.K. Publishing

The clearest, most accessible guide to observing the night sky.

Introducing the Handbook of Stars and Planets - the perfect beginner's guide to the night sky!
With a highly visual introduction that explains the basic concepts of astronomy and gives advice on the best methods and equipment for observation, including binoculars and telescopes, exploring the cosmos and more has never been easier or more accessible. Each of the planets in the Solar System is described and illustrated in detail, with images taken from space probes as well as from the ground, showing them as you can expect to see them.

More than 160 star charts were made especially for this book by the Royal Greenwich Observatory. There is a separate detailed chart for each of the 88 constellations, adding up to a complete atlas of the sky. The text for each constellation reveals its history and mythology and lists notable stars, galaxies, nebulae, and other objects. Alongside the constellation profiles is a month-by-month guide, including a set of charts and a user-friendly text guide that picks out the highlights above your head each month.

Soar into the pages of this awe-inspiring astronomy book to explore:

- Introduction section provides an accessible primer on the basics of astronomy and skywatching
- Equipment section includes a guide to the main kinds of binoculars, telescopes, and camera equipment
- Practical advice also includes observing the sky with the naked eye
- Profiles of planets and constellations include color-coded data tables, delivering fast facts for quick reference
- Accesible text explains concepts clearly and guides the reader from beginner to intermediate-level astronomer

This newly updated guide to the Solar System includes new discoveries, revised data, and the latest images from space probes! The revisions to constellation and monthly sky guides include new data on stars and other objects such as galaxies, as well as a refreshed guide to binoculars, telescopes, and cameras. Complete with jargon-free text written by one of the foremost popularizers of astronomy and an authority on the history of constellations, the DK Handbook of Stars and Planets is the perfect introduction to stargazing! So whether you're a budding astronomer or an intermediate space savvy, this great guide to the night sky is suitable for children aged 12+ and adults alike, and promises something for everyone to explore, discover and love!

Genres: Science, Reference, Astronomy, Nonfiction, Nature, Space

224 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2002

About the author

Ian William Ridpath is an English amateur astronomer, who has been an active observer, writer, editor, and broadcaster, on the subject since 1972. He is also known for his UFO skepticism, an interest in astro-philately, marathon running (having participated in the London Marathon dressed as Halley’s Comet) and, most recently, horse racing.

Ridpath has an equally varied and productive professional life. He has written or edited over forty books in the field of astronomy, he is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (Council member 2004–07), a member of the Society of Authors, a member of the Association of British Science Writers, he has worked at the University of London Observatory, and manages a self-publishing business. He also regularly gives talks and lectures on astronomy.

He is most well known in astronomical circles as the editor of the Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy, and for his updates and work on the acclaimed classic Norton's Star Atlas.

Reviews

[Erin Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not many people I know now know that I had a fascination with star gazing when I was little. I did, and I still keep this book today, even though it is old and worn.

I don't even remember who gave it to me, but I love it. It is a good guide, and I refer to it from time to time, especially during the summer when there is really nothing to do. The images are easy enough for a child to understand, but full of enough information that you really do learn something about the night sky and planets. Even the inside covers have star charts. It is also a very user friendly book, containing an easy-to-navigate table of contents and index.

It is full of a ton of information, and yes... my copy says that Pluto is a planet, so I will keep this for a long time. It's funny that I still have it.

[Mariah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love this guide! It's organized into sections of basic knowledge, all of the constellations and the months and which times are the best to see certain constellations. I love astronomy and this is a must have for any wannabe astronomer.

[James Madsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't seen the Princeton Guides or Smithsonian versions of Ian Ridpath's book, and I don't know how they differ from this one. However, whenever I see anything published by Dorling Kindersley, I know that I can count on colorful and well-presented visual depictions. This book is no exception. It's attractively and intelligently laid out and is the next level up (with more of an emphasis on targets for binoculars and telescopes) from A Walk through the Heavens and Patterns in the Sky.

[Aleina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent book for people interested in star gazing. It has some basics, covers some nice science stuff about stars and planets and include some nice maps of the sky and what it looks like when and where in the world. All-in-all, it was a nice book that I could keep up with decently.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is typical of the high quality to be expected from DK Books . Clear and plentiful pictures and lucid text . Very comprehensive with excellent coverage of the local planets and the more distant galaxies.
I fully recommend this book to anyone.

[River]

Good

[Acelot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the clearest guide to observing the night Sky. The quality was way higher than expected and it was really helpful

[*~Peyton Jade~* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taught me alot, mine is a different version but it was the same book! It teaches about constalations, stars, planets, and galaxies. overall I learned alot of information

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took this to Big Bend Nat'l Park. After someone (in our case the park ranger) taught us how to read a star map, this book became useful. The star maps are in the back based on where you are at and what time of year you are star gazing. The most common constellations have stories about their originations (i.e. the names given to them not the astronomical originations) and stars unique to their compostion. Easy reference book to have on hand to continue your star gazing hobby. Lots of pictures and graphics. The cost of this book was about the same as the cost of a star chart in B&N, so get the book instead of just the star chart.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book because it talkes about every thing scientests know about stars and planets. You would like this book if you like real things of space books.You could find this book in a school librery.

[Apee · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's part evolution.We haven't finished it wet but it shows us how to look at the stars.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. But I wouldn't read this as your only guide for the stars since its sorta out of date.