
Take up the fascinating hobby of astronomy with this informative & straightforward book as your guide. In Philip's Practical Astronomy, author Storm Dunlop introduces the basic concepts of astronomy, explaining how, what & when to observe, & providing lists of recommended objects with which to start. Star charts help the reader to navigate the night sky, identify the constellations, & find planets, comets, galaxies & deep-sky objects. The book is illustrated with over 160 colourful photographs & diagrams, plus more than 30 tables. The book is organized in two parts: ' Introducing Astronomy' provides the essential information on how to observe, whether with the naked eye, binoculars or a small telescope; where & when to look; how to find your way around the sky by 'constellation-hopping'; how to use star maps & planispheres; & how to record your observations with drawings & photographs. ' Exploring the Sky' looks in more detail at the objects the amateur can view, from aurorae & meteors (shooting stars) to the Moon, Sun, planets & comets, & beyond to stars, nebulae, the Milky Way & other galaxies. Philip's Practical Astronomy is illustrated with some spectacular colour photographs as well as clear & informative diagrams, with detailed star charts by Wil Tirion, the world-renowned celestial cartographer.