365 Starry Nights: An Introduction to Astronomy for Every Night of the Year

by Chet Raymo

THE AMATEUR STARGAZER'S ULTIMATE HOME COMPANION 365 Starry Nights is a unique and fascinating introduction to astronomy designed to give you a complete, clear picture of the sky every night of the year. Divided into 365 concise, illustrated essays, it focuses on the aesthetic as well as the scientific aspects of stargazing. It offers the most up-to-date information available, with hundreds of charts, drawings, and maps-that take you beyond the visible canopy of stars and constellations into the unseen realm of nebulae and galaxies. This simple yet substantial text is full of critical information and helpful hints on how to observe the stars; describe their position; calculate their age, brightness, and distance; and much more. Whether you observe the sky with a telescope or the naked eye, 365 Starry Nights makes the infinite intimate and brings the heavens within your grasp. Keep this invaluable, informative guide close at hand, and you'll find that the sky is the limit 365 nights a year.

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

225 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Chet Raymo (born September 17, 1936 in Chattanooga, Tennessee) is a noted writer, educator and naturalist. He is Professor Emeritus of Physics at Stonehill College, in Easton, Massachusetts. His weekly newspaper column Science Musings appeared in the Boston Globe for twenty years, and his musings can still be read online at www.sciencemusings.com.

His most famous book was the novel entitled The Dork of Cork, and was made into the feature length film Frankie Starlight. Raymo is also the author of Walking Zero, a scientific and historical account of his wanderings along the Prime Meridian in Great Britain.

Raymo was the recipient of the 1998 Lannan Literary Award for his Nonfiction work.

Reviews

[Jeff Stephenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book for anyone who wants to know more about the night sky but to do so in small sizable chunks. The book is broken into short readings designed to be read each day throughout the year. Sometimes the reading is just a paragraph or so, and sometimes the reading is a little longer yet the readings are never more than about half a page long. Every page includes drawings and illustrations to help readers visualize what is explained in the readings. The topics sometimes seem a little hodgepodge in order, but usually there is some rhyme or reason to why it is being discussed for that day. For example, the constellation Orion is explored in the early January readings because Orion is very visible in the early evening sky during early January. Usually the author discusses the same topic or idea on a variety of days by focusing on different stars within a constellation, points of information about the constellation, or background information about the constellation on each of those days. Of course, the book is more than just about the constellations. A number of other astronomical ideas and concepts are presented throughout the year. For example, how can one approximate the angular distance between stars using just your hands? What is the normal life cycle of a star and what are some examples of stars that are not on the main sequence or “life cycle” of most stars (e.g. red supergiants, etc)? What is the structure of the galaxy, and what are Messier objects? The book is really intended for the average person who has not attended a college course in astronomy and just wants to learn and know more about the night sky. The book is easy to read, but astronomy buffs will also enjoy it for its daily readings, and I highly recommend “365 Starry Nights” to anyone who has an interest in visual astronomy and the night sky.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have tried several guides to the stars. At one time I thought they might all be the same, telling the same myths, revealing the same secrets, but the more of these I read, the more I realize that the sky, even within the limits of amateur astronomy, is vast and open to a myriad of interpretations and experiences.
Raymo, writing in 1982, takes us through the sky one day at a time. Some days (or rather nights) are very focused on some specific view of the night sky, and some dates are used to fill in knowledge gaps that are independent of the current evening.
Aside from a few references to imaging which are only to be found among the professional astronomer, and a less refined idea of the age of universe, I found myself learning new things, clarifying older understandings. and also feeling the familiar path of learning about the cosmos. Even though some details are old or inaccurate the experience of the universe is much older enough that Raymo's contribution is something I would gladly share with the novice or veteran astronomer.

[Dennis Schvejda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of us are more than asleep every evening. We are unaware of the world above us that reveals itself to us for one half of each year. I'm talking about the night sky, particularly the stars and constellations. As the earth revolves, the stars appear to move slowly across the sky each night; and as the Earth makes its way around the Sun, in addition to seasons, we are treated to different stars and constellations. This is THE book for anyone who wants to gain an appreciation and understanding of the nightly show above our heads. This book has been my companion for years... make reading it part of your daily routine!

[Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very accessible for beginning stargazers. Not every day involves something in the sky with some sections devoted to mythology or the brief bios of prominent astronomers, so there's a bit of something for everyone.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book to actually start learning the night sky.

[Anne McKeirnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this each month as the sky changed. It’s a great book full of science and mythology about the stars and planets. I’ll be rereading it each year each month follow g the starry sky.

[Riobhcah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a most interesting book. It has a reading for each day of the year and talks about the stars that are currently visible at that time in the Northern Hemisphere. It gives facts, history and also intriguing legends about the stars, such as that of Sirius and its companion, Sirius B and how did ancient cultures in Africa know about Sirius B long before it was "discovered" in Europe after the invention of the telescope. The author also poses many interesting theories and questions about the distant past of astronomical events. It would also be a good place for aspiring amateur astronomers to begin as it helps you become well-oriented so that you can easily identify what you are seeing in the night sky. Well worth reading, in my opinion. I am enjoying it tremendously.

[Day-v · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! You don't have to be an astronomer to LOVE this book. If you want to expand your mind, explore the stars, stretch your awareness to include the billions of galaxies, and actually learn some mythology, stars formation, fascinating science, and all easy, Yes, easy to read. I read it over and over.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book. Very clear and easy to read. By studying one small piece of the sky at a time, the information is not too overwhelming for those of us who are novice sky-watchers. I also love how he takes you on a year-long journey through the entire northern night sky, one day at a time. A superb book for any beginning astronomer.

[Kelda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a 'night-by-night' so I've been re-reading this book for years. After about two years some things have sunk in, to the point that I can point to the sky and remember some cool trivia. Totally fun.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, sketch-illustrated introduction to naked-eye astronomy. Learn constellations, how stars work, what you can't see, history and myth. All at once! In small digestible chunks!

I love this book because it is beautiful. I like to just keep it around for browsing ...

[Patrick Cowsill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has been all around the world with me. Costa Rica, the Greek islands, the Philippines, Vietnam, Egypt, India, Nepal, Thailand, New Mexico, Southern Taiwan. It's like a dummies' introduction to the sky. They'll start you out with the Southern Cross, and from there into the big deep sky.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best ever beginner's handbook to the night sky. Broken into short, easily digested segments by month, section of the sky, and deeper knowledge of the whys and wherefores. Armed with this, a beginner can immediately go out and enjoy stargazing.

[Chris Mertes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good concept, and a fun way for someone interested in astronomy to learn what to look for any night of the year. I've owned this book a couple of years now and have enjoyed referring to it often.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been enjoying this one quite a bit, although I generally fall asleep shortly after it gets dark.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is excellent to read any night of the year to figure out what is going on in the night sky. If you need an introduction or just lovre the out doors get a copy of this book.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that turned me on to Chet Raymo, and has given me over a decade of fascinating views into the universe.

[John]

An excellent resource for me anyway. There are alternative uses for books such as these.

[Liz Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for light astronomy research and basic understanding.

[Ray Savarda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather interesting read; certainly useful if you had a telescope and wanted a daily target to go look at, and some background on those stars, etc. Made me want to go buy a telescope!