Eyewitness Companions: AstronomyFrom origins of the universe to exploration of outer galaxies, this is the essential handbook for the amateur astronomer. Now is your chance to trace the history of astronomy, from the earliest human civilizations to the present day. Tour the Solar System, using a unique visual guide illustrated with the most recent images of the planets. This definitive visual guide will show you star charts and the guide to constellations to find your way around the night sky and locate stars, galaxies, and other objects. Profiles 88 constellations and a month-by-month guide 300+ star chart Includes latest equipment |
Contents
Introduction 10 | 10 |
The beginnings of astronomy 16 | 16 |
The rise of astrophysics 22 | 22 |
Our place in the universe 24 | 24 |
Into orbit 26 | 26 |
The race to the Moon 28 | 28 |
Shuttles and stations 30 | 30 |
Exploring the solar system 34 | 34 |
Earth 94 | 94 |
The Moon 96 | 96 |
Mars 104 | 102 |
Jupiter 108 | 108 |
Saturn 112 | 112 |
Uranus 116 | 116 |
Neptune 118 | 118 |
Pluto 120 | 120 |
Unlocking the stars 36 | 36 |
Pushing the limits 38 | 38 |
ORIGINS 44 | 45 |
The structure of the universe 46 | 46 |
The Big Bang 48 | 48 |
The first stars and galaxies 52 | 52 |
The expanding universe 54 | 54 |
The fate of the universe 56 | 56 |
PHENOMENA 58 | 59 |
Star classification 60 | 60 |
Stellar life cycles 62 | 62 |
Multiple stars and clusters 70 | 70 |
Variable stars 72 | 72 |
Galaxies 74 | 74 |
Planets of other stars 79 | 79 |
THE SOLAR SYSTEM 80 | 81 |
Our solar system 82 | 82 |
The Sun 84 | 84 |
Mercury 90 | 90 |
Venus 92 | 92 |
Comets and meteors 122 | 122 |
Asteroids and meteorites 124 | 124 |
OBSERVATION 128 | 129 |
The appearance of the sky 130 | 130 |
Finding your way 134 | 134 |
Starting observing 136 | 136 |
Binoculars 138 | 138 |
Telescope astronomy 140 | 140 |
Astrophotography 144 | 144 |
THE CONSTELLATIONS 146 | 147 |
Mapping the sky 148 | 148 |
Understanding the charts 150 | 150 |
Guide to the Constellations 152227 | 152 |
MONTHLY SKY GUIDE 228 | 229 |
ALMANAC 278 | 279 |
Glossary 290 | 290 |
| 293 | |
| 299 | |
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Common terms and phrases
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