The Night Sky Companion: A Yearly Guide to Sky-Watching 2008-2009 (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) [Paperback]

K. Vogt (Adapter), Tammy Plotner (Author), T. Mann (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0387716084 | ISBN-13: 978-0387716084 | Publication Date: December 13, 2007 | Edition: 1

The Night Sky Companion is a comprehensive guide to what can be explored in the heavens 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. It is richly illustrated with finder maps and photographs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the reviews: "Thanks to the great folks at Springer Press (and Sir Patrick Moore), this incredible 674 page, full-color glossy book filled with astronomy pictures, astronomy history, sky watching tips and daily information … . takes a look at astronomy every day over the course of the year – offering an overview of general history, soft science, astronomical trivia, and observing guides and motivation. Designed to appeal to readers at all skills and involvement, it provides a digest for sky watchers interested in all-in-one place information … ." (www.universetoday.com, January, 2008)

From the Back Cover

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!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 704 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (December 13, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387716084
• ISBN-13: 978-0387716084
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,176,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book NOW if you're an astronomy lover!, January 13, 2008

By 

J. Lockridge "jllx" (Birmingham, AL United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Night Sky Companion: A Yearly Guide to Sky-Watching 2008-2009 (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) (Paperback)

This was purchased on a whim after disappointments with many past monthly "guides" which were always simply just rehashed yearly books with a few date changes on them.

This one is completely different.

Weighing in at a hefty 670 pages, Tammy Plotner, after a rather useful introductory section, even for seasoned observers, takes us on a DAY by DAY tour of 2008. Each day is given meaning based on famous astronomy-related people associated with that day, events past or present, and certainly observational objects able to be seen on that day, with WONDERFUL backup material, BUT in an easily digestible, concise group of paragraphs with beautifully done accompanying photos in most cases. Alas, very few of the photos are in color, but this keeps the book's price down considerably, I'm sure.

This book makes a great curriculum for a club, or outreach group, or even introductory University courses. I'm using mine to start a group with interested junior high and high school students.

I was very pleasantly surprised by the breadth and readability of this book. It is truly useful, and while I have a full library of astronomy books, this has become my "book of the day", getting even more use than any of my atlases, simply because it makes for great reading even on cloudy nights!!!

Do yourself a favor: no matter your experience level, if you love the hobby of astronomy, get this book. You owe it to yourself to have it in your library. We as astronomers all tend to "overbuy" books in the hopes of finding gems. This one is as brilliant a diamond as one can get. Thank you, Tammy Plotner and Patrick Moore's "Practical Astronomy" series!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very Misleading!, January 18, 2009

By 

Gnome Sane? (Southwest, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Night Sky Companion: A Yearly Guide to Sky-Watching 2008-2009 (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) (Paperback)

The title is VERY misleading. It says 2008-2009 but it ONLY covers 2008. So if you want a nice atronomical history book, go for it. Otherwise, steer clear!!