The Cambridge Guide to the Constellations (Paperback)

by Michael E. Bakich (Author) "This list provides an alphabetized inventory of the names of the eighty-eight modern constellations..." (more)
Key Phrases: bordering constellations, directional extremes, earliest existing picture, Ursa Major, Canis Major, Coma Berenices (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
'... a fascinating cornucopia of constellation facts and figures ...' Adrian Ashford, New Scientist

' ... one of the best ... a lot of goodies for every amateur astronomer, both for the observing one and for the armchair astronomer ... All of us have something to learn from this excellent book.' Jan Sandstrom, Astronomi und Raumfahrt

'If you want to have a reference book about constellations, then you want to have this book on your shelves.' Pam Spence, Astronomy Now

'The book has some novel ideas for the presentation of a wealth of unusual material and I found no mistakes. It is not a bedside book for browsing. It is a work to reside on a shelf for reference, mostly for amateur astronomers' use, but also for anyone with an interest in the stars.' Paul Murdin,Times Higher Education Supplement

Product Description
Constellations are not new to astronomy. Even before the era of printing, patterns of stars have been recognized by humans and their histories have been passed on from generation to generation, culture to culture. This book is the ultimate constellation reference book. Finally, a book exists that brings together a variety of information about constellations, including: the size, visibility, and relative brightness of all eighty-eight constellations; former locations of extinct constellations; the number of visible stars in each constellation; and more. Using tables, this information is presented in the first part of the book so that constellations can be readily compared and a general view of them developed. In the second part of the book, each constellation is taken in turn, with a star chart and map illustrating the associated celestial figure, supported by a comprehensive list of essential properties. This highly illustrated volume provides the most complete reference to date covering all aspects of the constellations and will be helpful for astronomers, both amateur and professional, educators and science writers.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (September 29, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521449219
• ISBN-13: 978-0521449212
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #590,926 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have book for constellation information, July 10, 1997

By A Customer

This book lists all the constellations and tells a little about each one of them, such as its location in the sky and where it can be seen. It also has many lists, like the brightest stars, the closest stars, Ptolemy's constellations, meteor shower dats, the navigational stars, Biblical references to stars and constellations and much, much more.

I run a planetarium and this book has provided me with more practical knowledge about the sky than almost any other single book in my library (which is extensive). I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in learning more about the sky and having a multitude of handy reference facts at your fingertips

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical uses of the book, August 16, 1997

By	Larry E Robinson "lrobinsn" (Olathe, KS USA) - See all my reviews

As a serious amateur and frequent lecturer, I have found the Cambridge Guide to the Constellations serves multiple purposes. As a guide for understanding the boundaries and key features of the constellations, it has no equal. It provides significant detail in concise useable capsules. This is exactly what is needed when planning a night of observing or a lecture to any audience. In addition, the author has provided us with numerous significant facts, lists, and historical anecdotes which can enrich our understanding and provide quick material for lectures or special presentations. I rarely plan a talk without first referring to this book. It will be a ready reference to all astronomers for many years

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars If your just learning, try a different book., February 2, 2000

By	Darren McCartney (SLO, CA) - See all my reviews

If you're just getting started, this is not the book for you. It's a little deeper than I expected. Still a good book, but stay clear unless you're already experienced in this topic.