The Starlore Handbook: An Essential Guide to the Night Sky (Paperback)

~ Geoffrey Cornelius (Author) "For the ancients the contemplation of the heavens was the noblest of all sciences..." (more)
Key Phrases: midnight culmination, celestial longitude, equinox point, Milky Way, Big Dipper, Canis Major (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Starlore Handbook: An Essential Guide to the Night Sky not only tells how to find various major and minor constellations, but also how to draw the starlines that outline their mythic representations. Included are ancient stories that helps make the sky so wondrous and meaningful. Everyone who camps needs a book like this. The Chicago Tribune

Product Description

A dream come true for stargazers and all who have stood in awe of the night sky, The Star Lore Handbook is a complete, fully illustrated guide to identifying the eighty-eight recognized constellations and the principal stars that comprise them. Deftly weaving together astronomy, myth, and symbolism, author Geoffrey Cornelius tours the rich heritage of the stars and planets -- from meteors and orbits to astrology, moon worship, and astral tales of love and tragedy. Including a quick-reference table that lets beginners spot major constellations right away, this unique companion introduces not only modern scientific knowledge, but also the beliefs and folklore of Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, China, medieval and Renaissance Europe, and Central and Native America. Wonderfully illustrated with specially commissioned maps and artwork, color photographs, and line drawings, this is an ideal guide to the timeless celestial marvels.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (February 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811816044
• ISBN-13: 978-0811816045
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,125,598 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great way to increase your enjoyment of the constellations, March 17, 1999

By A Customer

I tend to be very wary of astronomy books. I enjoy going out at night and looking at the night sky, but don't like to get a whole lot more technical than that. After having learned to identify some of the constellations, this book provided me with the perfect next step. It gives you just enough background knowledge to make your tour through the sky infinitely more enjoyable. The author presents simple and easy to understand information on both classic and modern constellations. I would recommend it as the perfect "not too technical" book about the lore surrounding the night sky.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great guide to the mythology behind the constellations, January 13, 1999

By A Customer

Cornelius tells the stories found in the stars in an entertaining, informative way. Each constellation is studied in detail-- from the meanings (greek, arabic, or otherwise) of the star names, to a description of the objects visible through binoculars, to the myths associated with the figures. This book is a must-have for any amateur or professional astronomer.