Star Maps for Beginners: 50th Anniversary Edition [Paperback]

I.M. Levitt (Author), Roy K. Marshall (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0671791877 | ISBN-13: 978-0671791872 | Publication Date: September 1, 1992 | Edition: 50 Anl Sub

Designed with the beginner in mind and useful to anyone interested in astronomy. Star Maps for Beginners is the classic guide to viewing and understanding the heavens. Its superb maps -- drawn in the shape of two crossed ellipses -- provide the reader with a unique perspective on the sky and have been widely acknowledged as the easiest system yet devised for locating any constellation at any time of the year.

Now revised for the 1990s, with updated planet charts and a new section on spotting meteor showers. Star Maps for Beginners includes:

12 complete maps -- one for each month -- showing the positions of the constellations viewed from every direction

a synoptic table that shows how to choose the proper map for use at any time special tables that give approximate positions of the planets for the years 1992 through 1997

the most up-to-date overview of the solar system available today the latest facts about each of the planets -- orbit, size, atmosphere, internal structure, climate, and terrain

a full chapter on the history and development of the constellations, and the ancient legends and mythological lore surrounding them

a special section on meteors -- how they originate and when and where to spot them.

Initially published in 1942 and now celebrating its 50th anniversary, Star Maps for Beginners has sold more than 450,000 copies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Sky & Telescope The best way to learn the constellations that we have ever run across.

About the Author

I. M. LEVITT, PH.D., an internationally recognized scientist, is Director Emeritus of the Fels Planetariurn at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; 50 Anl Sub edition (September 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671791877
• ISBN-13: 978-0671791872
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Astronomy & Space Science > Star-Gazing
  • #46 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Mathematical Physics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars You might want to wait for the next edition., August 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Star Maps for Beginners: 50th Anniversary Edition (Paperback)

I was disappointed with this book for two reasons. I wanted help locating the planets, but the 50th anniversary edition is obsolete. The book contains charts showing which constellations the planets could be found in for 1992 -- 1997, but I bought the book in 1998! The charts also don't include Uranus and Neptune. These two shortcomings limit the value of this book for anyone who uses it, but primarily for the beginning amateur astronomer who might not have enough interest to seek another source.

I did find the star charts to be very easy to use on my first-ever attempt to use a star chart to find constellations. For about an hour, I preferred these charts to the more conventional (and more cluttered) monthly charts from Sky & Telescope Magazine. I quickly learned to appreciate the extra detail in the magazine's chart and felt as if I had "graduated" to a "real" star chart. Perhaps, if I were younger, I would feel differently.

I appreciated s! ome of the other aspects of the book. It has a very understandable description of star magnitude and brightness ratio. It also has an interesting section on Meteors. I also enjoyed the brief history of ancient star maps and the origins of the constellation names.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Expect to Wear Out Your Copy, January 2, 2003

By 

KELLY SIMMONS (Tallahassee, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star Maps for Beginners: 50th Anniversary Edition (Paperback)

My tattered copy sitting on the shelf as I write this attests to it's value. I'm no major astronomer in any sense of the word, but a major part of what I DO know about the night sky was gleaned from its pages. It is what the title suggests: "For Beginners". It refrains from being too technical, the charts for the months of the year are easy to understand and use, and it's ar less expensive than other books of its kind. If your wish is to begin a hobby in astronomy, or better yet, if you simply are curious as to how to find your way around the night sky, this is a wonderful place to start. You will amaze yourself with what you'll know after only a few nights with this book. However, please note how up-to-date your copy is when buying it here or elsewhere. Hopefully, it will be as much a joy to you as it has been for me these past six years.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most dog-eared sky reference book I have, October 16, 1999

By 

Mary Weaver (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Star Maps for Beginners: 50th Anniversary Edition (Paperback)

It's true, it doesn't show where the planets are but for identifying constellations and stars, any time from about 6 pm to about 5 am, you can't beat this book. I write a What's Up In the Sky weekly column and I'd be lost without this book. It gives basic information, delineates the differences in the seasons, skywise, and throws in some mythology also. The chart, telling which sky map corresponds to the time of night is invalueable. I can't imagine looking at the sky without this book.