The Night Sky Companion offers a guide to what can be explored on a nightly basis. Designed to appeal to readers at all skill levels and involvement, it provides a digest for sky watchers interested in all-in-one-place information that includes history, current events, and of course interesting objects to be observed on any given day. It provides unaided eye observers an opportunity to view many objects or events as well as learn about their history, science and how just "looking up" can be rewarding. Binocular and small telescope users will find a wealth of objects to view using simple star hop instructions and finder charts. Large-aperture telescope users looking for a challenge are not ignored either: some of the finest deep-sky objects are detailed, with finder maps and photographs, most of them taken by talented amateurs.

Autorentext

Tammy Plotner lives in Ohio. She is a successful freelance writer, non-professional astronomy educator, advanced amateur astronomer, and lecturer. She is currently President and director of Outreach Education and Programs at Warren Rupp Observatory, and webmaster, team member and Astronomy Outreach coordinator for the Astronomical League.

Klappentext

The The Night Sky Companion is far more than just an observing guide. It is a year's journey into the science and facts of astronomy and space travel, along with some of its history and the and the men and women who made it. If you're a sky watcher equipped with any kind of astronomical telescope, binoculars, or even just your eyes, you are sure to find this book absolutely fascinating.

Taking a day-by-day look at the sky over the course of the whole year, Tammy Plotner has assembled a digest to appeal to all astronomers and would-be astronomers. Turn these pages and you'll find observing recommendations including how to locate the object you're looking for along with a wealth of information touching on every aspect of your observation.

It doesn't matter whether it's a meteor shower, nebula, double star, variable star, lunar crater, or even the Sun: if it's an interesting feature of the 2008 2009 observing year, you'll find it here!

Zusammenfassung
Thebookyouareholdinginyourhandsisoneofthebestlearningandoutreach tools you could want for your collection. The Night Sky Companion is full of informationaboutastronomy.Thinkofhowmanytimesyouhavewalkedoutside, lookedatthestarsandwonderedwhatnewthingsyoucouldexplore.Maybeyou areabeginnerandyouwanttolearnthebasicsofstargazing,orperhapsyou're a seasoned sky veteran. Either way, I bet you will see and learn something new each night. I have used Tammy Plotner's previous books to help plan my outreach programs. Not only do they tell you what you can see in the night sky, just as this book does, but they also explain some of the history and science which has brought us to this point. You will quickly realize astronomy is what you make it. It can be extremely challenging or very relaxing: it's up to you to decide. With this book, you can use telescope or binoculars of any sizeor just kick back under the Milky Way and enjoy the view. It will be your companion to help you discover our galaxy. Picture yourself enjoying a warm August night watching the Perseid meteor shower, or seeing the Harvest Moon rise. While the spring holds the promise of bright planets and distant galaxies, there is somethingtobesaidaboutthoselong,coldwintereveningstoo!Youcanspend hoursobservingandstillgettobedbeforemidnight.Witheachchangingseason, with every constellation wheeling overhead, Tammy will show you the best of the night sky. ThewealthofinformationhereabouttheMoonwillamazeyou.Waituntilyou point a telescope its way and find a specific crater. Suddenly, the lunar terrain takes on a new look. It has a stark beauty which will keep you coming back. ix OhioAurorainMay(CreditTerryMann). Foreword xi Both beginning and advanced amateur astronomers will enjoy this book.

Inhalt
January, 2008.- February, 2008.- March, 2008.- April, 2008.- May, 2008.- June, 2008.- July, 2008.- August, 2008.- September, 2008.- October, 2008.- November, 2008.- December, 2008.