Product Description

Astronomy provides a survey of science's growing understanding of space, including facts on space research and space probes. Packed with stunning images and diagrams, the book features:

• A wide variety of heavenly phenomenas, including distant stars, the planets of the solar system, comets and shooting stars, eclipses and black holes.
• Vivid cross-sections of the planets with concise descriptions and a chart of their relative distance from the sun.
• Spectacular photographs from the world's finest observatories and space-based cameras, many further expertly clarified by digital graphics.
• Easy-to-read monthly sky maps with symbols to identify open and globular star clusters, galaxies and planetary nebulae.
• Labeled and diagrammed constellations.
• Profiles of nebulae, clusters and galaxies.
• Pictographs showing whether viewings require binoculars or a telescope.

Astronomy is a highly recommended, fascinating and easy-to-use illustrated reference for amateur astronomers of all levels.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #807683 in Books
• Published on: 2009-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 1.02" h x 8.85" w x 9.07" l, 2.68 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

From Booklist
Astronomy is custom designed to inspire stargazing. Twenty-four sky maps are offered for just such an eventuality. Otherwise, astrophysicist Garlick organizes the universe in a conventional but still beautiful manner, proceeding from the solar system outward to the multibillion-light-year depths probed by the Hubble Space Telescope. Its images are not the only space-age source Garlick taps: pictures from less celebrated observatories also populate the presentations of planets, stars, galaxies, and quasars. More than a glossy gallery, the celestial objects Garlick features are embedded within his framing explanations of the electromagnetic spectrum and big-bang cosmology. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
pace-based cameras, many further expertly clarified by digital graphics." "Packed with...spectacular photographs from the world's finest observatories and space-based cameras, many further expertly clarified by digital graphics. (Rob Mooy Kingston This Week 20100128)

With an interesting mix of content, graphics and photography, Astronomy is an easy-to-use, illustrated reference for amateurs of all levels. (Jessica Harrison Deseret News (Salt Lake City) )

You really can't do much better than this volume... This superb book is a great add to your personal library. (Coalition for Space Exploration )

Astronomy is a fascinating and easy-to-use illustrated reference for amateur astronomers of all levels. (Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin, Lunar an )

Packed with stunning images and diagrams. (Rob Mooy Frontenac This Week/Kingston This Week )

From the Author

In more than 300 energetic pages, Astronomy: A Visual Guide provides up-to-the minute information in a style that will enthrall, entice and entertain readers of all ages. With maximum visual impact and editorial clarity, information is presented through a vibrant combination of photography, illustrations and accessible text.

Astronomy covers the subject in five main sections, at a general readership level. After a brief introduction, Searching the Heavens documents the rise of astronomy from its humble beginnings to the current high-tech space telescopes and observatories that equip astronomers around the world. The Solar System presents a blow-by-blow account of the planets, comets, asteroids and other objects with which the Earth shares its home in space. Stars, Galaxies and Celestial Light introduces the reader to the larger picture: how stars form, live, and die, and how they relate to nebulae and galaxies. A section on The Night Sky advises the amateur on such topics as choosing astronomical equipment and putting it to good use, with a series of detailed star maps. The Universe deals with a few big issues, such as the creation of the Universe, dark energy and wormholes. And finally, a Factfile and Glossary provide additional reference.