Visual Astronomy: A Guide to Understanding the Night Sky

Visual Astronomy introduces the basics of observational astronomy, a fundamentally limitless opportunity to learn about the universe with your unaided eyes or with tools such as binoculars, telescopes, and cameras. The easy to use book explains the motions of celestial objects, coordinate systems and their use in basic observations of the night sky. You will learn how to use widely accessible resources to determine what is visible (and when it is visible) from their particular location. Distinct attention is paid to the dependence of the appearance and motion on your location, by extending the discussion to include various latitudes in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. This approach provides a better understanding of the night sky and makes the material more interesting and relevant around the world. You don't need any mathematical skill or technical knowledge to quickly grasp the concepts of basic astronomy, nor do you need expensive equipment to look up at the night sky and understand what you see. If you do have or plan to acquire a telescope, Visual Astronomy will teach you the fundamentals, and help you select the right accessories and get the most out of it. The discussion includes topics of current interest such as super Moons, blood Moons, comparison of astronomical and astrological constellations etc. Links to major facilities and reliable resources around the world make this an excellent learning tool for the new hobbyist or for teachers who wish to show their students why visual astronomy is a lifetime love for millions.