Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #44237 in Books
• Published on: 1992-09-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 64 pages

Review
Sky & Telescope

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

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.

Customer Reviews

Ancient Eg(I)pt Not [Greek Or Europe?]
The Zodiac On The Ceiling Of The Denderah Temple In Abydos, EgIpt(Egypt).
You can borrow, but you must give proper respect to the rightful heirs.

Star maps
My son loved this book of constellations. They were easy to read and had good information.

Expect to Wear Out Your Copy
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.