David Levy's Guide to the Night Sky

If, as Immanuel Kant once said, we are guided by the starry sky above and the moral law within, then, thanks to David Levy, we can now conceptualize Kant's adage at least half-way. David Levy's Guide to the Night Sky is designed to satisfy observers who have just become interested in the sky and want to navigate their way around it. By stirring the imagination and putting observation in a framework of personal adventure, Levy explains how to discover the Moon, planets, comets, meteors, and distant galaxies through a small telescope. Fully updated, the new edition includes:

• A new section on the computer-controlled telescopes and how to use this new technology;
• One new chapter on how charge-coupled devices (CCDs) have revolutionized the art of astronomical observation
• An explanation of how a new variable star is discovered and studied, based on Levy's personal experience Levy explores topics as diverse as the features of the Moon from night to night; how to observe constellations from both urban and rural observation sites; how best to view the stars, nebulae, and galaxies; and how to map the sky. David H. Levy is one of the world's foremost amateur astronomers. He has discovered seventeen comets, seven using a telescope in his own backyard, and had a minor planet, Asteroid 3673 Levy, named in his honor. As a respected astronomer, he is best known for being the co-discoverer of the famous Shoemaker-Levy9 comet in 1994. Levy is frequently interviewed by the media and succeeded Carl Sagan as science columnist for Parade magazine. He has written and contributed to a number of books, most recently The Scientific American Book of the Cosmos (St. Martin's, 2000), Advanced Skywatching (Time Life, 2000), and Deep-Sky Companions (Cambridge, 2000).

Beginners who have just joined an astronomy club will not find a better first book.

Booknews

Renowned comet-hunter and astronomy enthusiast David Levy presents an inspiring guide to learning constellations, choosing a telescope, and viewing the moon, planets, comets, double and variable stars, and deep-sky objects. He includes many anecdotes, a list of his favorite telescope objects, and even a few favorite poems. The final chapters cover eclipses, astrophotography, and (briefly) how to motivate children to learn about astronomy. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)