The Practical Astronomer

For anyone who's ever looked at the night sky and wanted to know more about the galaxy around them, The Practical Astronomer offers a comprehensive guide to discovering and understanding the mysteries of the solar system and beyond.

Illustrated with specially commissioned photography and artwork, and using clear, easy-to-follow text, The Practical Astronomer takes you on a step-by-step journey from the basics of what can be seen with the naked eye from your own backyard, to how you can view more distant objects such as the planets of the solar system, and even galaxies far, far away.

The book opens with an explanation of the fundamentals of astronomy, detailing when, where, and how to look at the night sky. It goes on to cover the necessary equipment and clothing that the amateur astronomer needs, reviewing optical equipment such as binoculars and telescopes, how they work and how to use them. A special section focuses on photography and covers the "how-to's" of capturing beautiful images of what you see.

The Practical Astronomer aims to foster an awareness and understanding of what you're looking at–be it a planet, star, or asteroid. Different sections are devoted to looking at how the night sky changes, whether that's because it's viewed from a different place in the world or at a different time of year.