Customer Reviews

An Intimate Look at the Night Sky

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There are 24 star maps (and many pictures); each of them beautifully illustrated, in this small book. Each of them highlights what can be seen with the naked eyes throughout the year in the northern hemisphere. Together with the maps Chet includes commentaries and tips on how to identify planets,stars, and constellations. Unlike few other sky guide books that merely teaches star hopping, Chet tries to stimulate readers imagination; inviting them to journey into the unseen and unperceivable, to marvel at the modern physics and be awed by the ancients wisdom. This book will sustain anyone's interest in astronomy for a long time.

I am an astronomy buff who happened upon this book at my local library. Professor Raymo's writing style is lyrical, almost poetic, making it highly readable. It is organized around the seasons, with each section (Winter, Sping, Summer & Autumn) beginning with a description of the constellations asociated with that season). But the book is also very informative, containing chapters on such matters as star formation, the moon & lunar cycles, the planets, comets, the death of stars, etc. The final chapter very moving and is particularly beautifully written. This book would be equally appropriate for both someone just beginning to explore the wonders of astronomy and the night sky, and for a more experienced amateur astronomer, although the latter may find a good bit of the information contained in the book to be somewhat basic. Nonetheless, my keen interest in astronomy spans several years and I still found the book to be educational as well as inspiring.

Raymo's latest book is not a star atlas designed to be carried out-of-doors under a dark night sky. Though it has star maps (arranged by season), it is clearly not _that_ kind of guide to the night sky. Raymo hints at his motivation on page X of the introduction:

"We spend out evenings indoors in front of the television or computer monitor, oblivious of the beauty and terror of the celestial abyss." Raymo's intent is to reintroduce us to that beauty and terror; to renew our (a collective "our;" the human race) intimacy with the night sky.

Organizationally, the 12 chapters of the book are arranged into four broad sections by season. Each section begins with several all-sky charts introducing us to the major constellations of that season. The chapters associated with the four sections delve deeper, covering such topics as the distances to stars, eclipses, comets, meteor showers, etc.

The major attraction of this book is not the science, though the science is accurate and delivered in digestible portions. The major attraction of "Night Sky" is the way Raymo delivers the content: with the wide-eyed wonder of a child, with a deep respect and secular appreciation for the beauty of the heavens. His blend of science with poetry, history, culture, and music is smooth and never forced.

Seasoned Raymo readers will note that he has recycled much of his material from earlier (and arguably better) books, but that should not dissuade. Night Sky contains the best of Raymo's naturalist yearnings for the ineffable attraction of things celestial. As he discusses the "usual suspects" (Hubble Deep Field, the attrition of stars due to light pollution, etc.), he is convincing in his deep sense of awe and humility. He has an enviable ability to turn a phrase and communicate via allegory. His polished presentation of the allegory of an island of knowledge in a sea of mystery is beautiful. This piece first appeared in "Skeptics and True Believers" and is presented in this book in a more abbreviated form. It's his answer to those who think that science removes the mystery and romance from life.

In summary, I recommend this book. My highest recommendation is to those who have not read Raymo before. If you are new to this author, read this book. Then be ready to move on to "The Soul of the Night," "Natural Prayers," or "Skeptics and True Believers." If you have already read Raymo's best, you'll still enjoy "Intimate Look," but perhaps for different reasons. Raymo is a kindred spirit to all who appreciate the simple pleasures of gazing at the Pleiades through binoculars, or watching a sunset, or huddling in a blanket while waiting for Perseid meteors. This book captures that spirit.

I bought this book on a whim while looking for star atlases. First, this book does have brief guides based on the seasons on where to see some astronomical wonders. But that is not where it strenght lies. Chet Raymo paints a poetic portrait of our night sky in this book which will captivate your imagination. You can actually feel your mind reaching out across the universe as he pulls you into the initial creation of the heavens and sends you flying out at light speed. Each chapter delves into a aspect of the night sky which tickles your imagination. You will find yourself thinking for hours after putting this book down and looking forward to the next time you can pick it up.
If you are looking for a guide to the night sky, try "Turn Left at Orion". If you want to explore the heavens and enlighten your own mind, buy this book!!! You will not be disappointed in its lyrical prose and heavenly sketches.

Intimate? Throughout the book Raymo introduces poets, Gods, Goddesses, non sentient life and scientists from the history of astronomy. Look? Early on in the book the author encourages, almost to the point of insisting, that the reader go outside on a warm evening, lie down, and close her eyes. Night Sky? From the Big Bang through the Earth's crust, through the centers of stars, into your imagination and out to the conceivable ends of time this book takes you far beyond the night sky.

What a beautiful introduction to astronomy and cosmology and the arts and sciences associated with both.

Like 365 Starry Nights, An Intimate Look at the Night Sky leads the reader though a year of observing the stellar vista. On the way the author directs the reader to all manner of items of interest. He suggests that you close your eyes while listening to Haydn's The Creation and open them to experience the burst of the big bang through immediate sensory experience. You can vicariously (or mnemonically) experience extremes of observing through his descriptions -- from a miserable cold, damp night hoping for the clouds to part to lying on a tropical beach under the stars. Mr. Raymo introduces the mythology behind the names of many familiar constellations and includes many heavenly references from classical literature. With all this is mixed gobs of science. There is enough science in this book to support an introductory course in astronomy. Due to the balance of elements the book is a facinating, enjoyable read. The facets create a rich and rewarding reading experience.

Highly recommended for anyone.

The text comprising An Intimate Look At The Night Sky combines practical information with an intellectually stimulating writing style that challenges the readers' imagination and takes simply stargazing to a whole new level. Award-winning science writer and columnist Chet Raymo elegant and informative narrative offers a celebration of the night sky that will imbue the readers with a personal connection to the wonder of the heavens as it enlarges their concepts and appreciation of a universe that stretches to infinity. Enhanced with black-and-white photography and star charts, An Intimate Look At The Night Sky is an engaging, lyrical, soundly science based, and very highly recommended collection of essays that blend history, mythology, religion, literature, and astronomy.

Beautiful, filled with joy, knowledge and insight. I have cried at the personifictions and been filled with wonder. Thank you Chet Raymo!

An Intimate Look at the Night Sky by Chet Raymo
Reviewed by Kate Magargal

When I first held this book in my hands, it immediately struck me as an object heavy for its size. Perhaps it was the week long ordeal of obtaining the book that caused it to distort according to my senses. I was to receive it in the mail; however, the new delivery person for our rural area delivered the original shipment somewhere else. His predecessor, who was familiar with all the nooks and crannies and common misaddressings of this tiny rural community, recently retired after 30 years of service. The book was resent and arrived about a week later. Interestingly, the same quality that causes mail delivery idiosyncrasies in this area also creates a perfect environment for using this book to its fullest. That is to say, here, in rural southern Utah, there isn't much development--or light pollution.

The physical qualities of the book set up a question and an expectation in my mind: I hoped this volume would provide some new insight, some wealth of knowledge congruent with its perceived heft. I have spent many nights out under the stars and for many reasons. I have lived many of life's tribulations in conjunction with gazing at the seemingly infinite wonders of the visible universe. Fear, loneliness, love, longing, perseverance all come to mind when I think of the starry canopy. As a teenager growing up in Pennsylvania, I developed a sense of purpose about going out into the night. Armed with a new telescope (the 6" Maksutov-Cassegrain I still use), I introduced many friends to simple stargazing. I loaded the telescope into the trunk of mom's hatchback and drove out of town and into the woods, often settling on a pier at the edge of a manmade lake about a half hour away. The break in the trees and the lack of artificial light made this new magical world one of necessity for me. On the car tape deck, I played litany of 90s alternative rock seeking songs with tenuous astronomical connections, and gazed at the universe beyond. It took me a long time to figure out how to operate the telescope, but all those nights, alone or with someone, formed a seminal experience. I went on to study Astronomy in university. After working for a research astronomer for three years, I decided against a research career in the field. The irony was that professional astronomers generally do not spend time out under the stars; instead, they analyze data for hours and hours in front of computers. Mine was an outdoor desire - I wanted to develop the experience, not the science. After obtaining a degree in Anthropology with an emphasis on humans' connection with the night sky, I went to work as a park ranger for the National Park Service, which is what originally brought me to southern Utah. I was hired because of my specialized knowledge and went on to introduce the unencumbered southern Utah night sky to thousands of park visitors. My resume and enthusiasm led to a job documenting the quality of the night sky throughout many parks. I traveled extensively throughout the contiguous US, climbing mountains and finding dark, lonely refuges amongst the magnificent landscapes of this country. There was nothing quite like how the stars speak to me from a bowl of slick-rock, or from the deserts in and around Capitol Reef. Eventually, I returned here, to south-central Utah, where I continue my examination of these strange nighttime companions. Life continuously occurs, with all its ups and downs, as I spend many nights with the familiar figures of constellations. I take comfort in what has become a lifelong pondering of what stars mean to me as a sentient being on this planet, as a member of a stargazing species, and as an emotional creature.
"What," I wondered, "could this book add to my experience?" I considered that Mr. Raymo must also have his own personal history with the star filled sky. He must have his own experiences to share, to assist others in building "an intimate" acquaintance with the night above us. I let the book sit on the kitchen table for a day to let the dust of these implications settle in my mind before diving in.
Raymo begins the book with an elegant introduction and establishes himself as a skilled teacher and interpreter. I want to memorize the whole introduction and recite it back to urban people who have never seen the Milky Way. The book continues in a logical, yet unique format: he divides the book into the four seasons, each season containing three star maps of different parts of the sky and three multi-page narratives, expounding on scientific astronomical topics using anecdotes from history, literature, and Raymo's own life.
The star charts come in two parts, one describing "What to see" followed by "What to imagine," both in narrative format. I don't see much distinction between the content under these two headings. The paragraphs of these paired pages are dotted with descriptions of the locations of constellations and astronomical objects. The star charts themselves focus on the major constellations and, I think, leave something to be desired. Anyone wanting to learn the sky will want to supplement with a full sky star chart in order to get a better sense of how everything is placed relative to everything else. Also, the design used in the charts does not lend itself to use outside at night. Even if you dare turn on a white light and compromise your night vision, the glossy pages would be hard to read with a flashlight. These sections would be most useful to people who already have a basic knowledge of the main constellations and can visualize them while using this book to learn more about nomenclature, Raymo's experiences, and his advice as an experienced sky watcher.

The real substance of this book is found in its essays with names like, "Fusion: How Stars Burn." To look at this title, one might think we are about to receive a lecture, perhaps a boring one, on stellar physics. What we find instead is a collection of poetic excerpts, an entertaining story from history, and musings from Raymo's own experience, all dancing with the title topic. The reader is left swimming in an enjoyable soup of brain candy, ultimately walking away with, yes, a little more knowledge on stellar fusion. These essays are fun reads with lots of information, but of a digestible size for ruminating while you spend a few minutes inside warming up with a cup of hot cocoa while spending a night stargazing in the back-yard.

For me, An Intimate Look at the Night Sky adds a depth of knowledge to the endeavor of enjoying starry nights, making numerous connections with familiar and obscure human characters. Raymo's writing style is easy to absorb and leaves me recalling many pieces of his narrative as if they were parts of a conversation. Novice and expert stargazers will both find value in this book, although someone without much stargazing background will need other material to actually learn the sky.

But what does this book contribute, not just to my experience, but to that of readers everywhere? Raymo acknowledges that most people reading this book may find it difficult to get the kind of sensational experiences with stars he talks about. Perhaps the most poignant information gained from Raymo is what lies between the lines he writes - that unencumbered views of the night sky are essential to us humans. Throughout the book, he mentions several objects that require a dark sky to see. These subtle recognitions of the overall state of stargazing led me to consider, as I often do, how fortunate we all are to still have some places where our view of the universe is uninhibited by a haze of light and pollution. I hope readers of this book will tap into the inspiration found within and use it to seek out dark skies, or better yet, help to restore them at home.

An interpretive ranger for Capitol Reef National Park. Kate Magargal introduces visitors the wonders of the park's dark and starry night skies. She is founder of the Colorado Plateau Chapter of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) and the Heritage Starfest, a local celebration of the night skies in Wayne County, Utah.

This is a good, short intro to stargazing from your backyard all year 'round. It also includes informative info on astronomical topics of interest to the amateur, such as eclipses. The diagrams are clear and straightforward and easy to follow. Take your kids out into the backyard and inspire the next Hubble!

If you only ever own one book about the beautiful sky above, this is the MUST HAVE. Beautifully written, illustrated and presented, it is also a perfect gift book for anyone who shares a fascination with the stars, planets and heavens above. All in all, a superb little book, especially nice in hardback.