Editorial Review:
Don't' miss the best meteor shower of the year. Discover the figure of the boy, "Jack," on the moon. Quickly locate favorite constellations such as the Big and Little Dipper, Orion, Draco, and Cassiopeia. No other guide makes it easier for the casual stargazer or beginning astronomer to enjoy the splendors of the universe and appreciate the laws that govern the sun, moon, planets, and stars.
-Ideal for viewing with the naked eye, binoculars, or small telescopes
-Seasonal sky maps for each region of the United States
-Expert help photographing celestial events
-Solar eclipse timetable and safe viewing tips
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Customer Reviews
Average Customer Rating: 
Great Reference Book! 2007-10-03
Don't let the small size fool you, this is a complete college level introductory textbook on Astronomy!
For amateur astronomers, you won't need anything else for theory. Using it in the field, might be rather cumbersome, as it is so loaded with information, it might be hard to sift out what you want "On the Fly".
Excellent book!
Very basic  2007-08-05
This book covers the basics on a wide range of topics. The maps are nicely done and easy to read. I have read a number of astronomy books, and this book is among the easiest to understand. The pictures are well done and compliment the text nicely to assist in the particular lesson being learned. If you've had a hard time understanding some other astronomy books, you might want to try this book. I found 3 drawbacks with this book. 1.) The RA/DEC coordinates given for objects in a number of the tables are epoch 1900. More current coordinates certainly could have been used. 2.) The binding is insufficient to be used as a "field guide" for any length of time. 3.) All tables at the back of the book that give times/dates for upcoming events are out of date. They end at 2006 or before.
If you're looking for a basic book on astronomy that covers a wide range of topics AND is easier to understand than most other astronomy books, you should consider buying this book.
Add this to your collection (but NOT as your ONLY book) 2000-02-26
Great Book, GREAT Charts (the grey section), but I had to drop a star due to a lack of Messier Photos and the terrible binding. I don't know HOW the review can say "4th - 8th grade reading level". If you find a 4th grader who can absorb this excellent material, he/she's in the wrong class! This book takes you from ignorance to comprehension painlessly. It even lists wonderful items which can be seen with only a pair of binoculars. It explains everything in the charts, listing the Messier objects and describing them, ie. "9th magnitude open-armed galaxy". Includes solar system, moon, stars, and deep space. A well done book, lacking nothing as a "text book", but as a "Field Guide" the above listed deficiences are intolerable. Well worth the small price.
A very Handy Little Reference 2000-02-11
This little book is a great reference that handles most any issue an amateur astronomer might encounter in his gazing exploits. There is a thorough yet concise treatment of Basic Astronomy, followed by sections on Astronomical Instruments, Stars, The Various planets, and other celestial bodies. The illustrations and charts are wonderful and there is a very thorough treatment of each constellation, many tables, a good bibliography, and index of observatories and planetariums. It amazing what has been packed into this very small book!
Best book, worst binding... 1999-05-23
The one and only knock against this great field guide (and kudos to the others who have pointed out that it's NOT a children's book, but simply the best introductory handbook to astronomy ever published) is that it will fall apart with regular use within a couple of years. This is inexcusable in a field guide, but the book is so wonderful and user-friendly that it still gets my five stars. If I could split the review: the book would get 5 stars, the publisher 0 stars.But it's so cheap compared to other guides, like the lousy Norton's Star Atlas, that you can afford another when it shreds in your hands after a couple years use at the scope. Bottom line: great book, but should be sewn-bound!!!
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