Explains what constellations are and how to look for them, and describes the appearance and origins of eighty-eight constellations from the northern and southern hemispheres, including the stories people of different cultures tell.
This handbook is a guide to exploring the classical night sky and its wonderful telescopic sights. All 88 officially recognized constellations are presented in natural groups which are related by their origin and location in the sky. Each group is explained by a fascinating story which tells what each constellation represents, how it appears in the sky, and why the other constellations of the group are close by, or related in some other manner. Some of these stories are classical myths which show how and why ancient cultures saw the constellations as related groups. Others are about more modern astronomers who sought recognition by filling in the gaps between the ancient constellations with inventions of their own. Both types of stories are crafted to make the constellation groups memorable, so that amateur astronomers can not only locate and recognize the constellations more easily, but also be able to pinpoint the celestial objects they contain more quickly. Specific instructions are given for finding each constellation, how to spell and pronounce the constellation and star names, plus the origins of the star names. Finder charts show each constellation group and a large area of sky around the group. These charts also indicate pointer stars which aid in finding the constellations. More detailed charts show how each constellation figure is visualized through simple line drawings. For each constellation, there is a table of about 10 to 30 telescopic objects selected to include a wide range of difficulty. Some can be glimpsed with the unaided eye, others require a 12 or 14 inch telescope. All the most prominent telescopic objects are included, plus a varied selection of interesting, but much more difficult objects. The tables include each object’s celestial coordinates, type, size, brightness, other information specific to each type of object, and a recommendation of the appropriate telescope size needed for good viewing. There are also photographs of constellations and telescopic objects, detailed locator charts for the hard-to-find objects, and plots of binary star orbital motions. The same charts used to show the constellation figures are repeated, with the addition of symbols indicating the locations of all the selected telescopic objects. An index and seven appendices help the user find specific objects or classes of objects.
Teaches readers about different types of constellations and how they are affected by Earth's tilt and orbit, naming of constellations in ancient and modern times.
A Guide to Stars and Constellations and their Legends
Author: Milton Heifetz,Wil Tirion
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139461389
Category: Science
Page: N.A
View: 740
What star is that? Where is the Southern Cross? Who was Orion? This book answers these questions and many more. Its unique simplified maps make it easy to find the constellations in the southern hemisphere skies, and the stars within them. Clear instructions guide the user on how to gauge sizes and distances, and move easily between constellations. This new edition has been updated with additional mythology information, and a list of the planet positions up to 2016. The ancient myths and legends of the sky are retold to add to the mystery of the stars. Of value to all ages, this book introduces the patterns of the starry skies in a memorable way. No equipment is needed to use this practical guide: apart from normal sight and clear skies. Magically illustrated, this is an ideal introduction to launch the young astronomer on a journey across the starlit skies.
"A singular astonishment." —John Lahr, The New Yorker One relationship. Infinite possibilities. In the beginning Marianne and Roland meet at a party. They go for a drink, or perhaps they don't. They fall madly in love and start dating, but eventually they break up. After a chance encounter in a supermarket they get back together, or maybe they run into each other and Marianne reveals that she's now engaged to someone else and that's that. Or perhaps Roland is engaged. Maybe they get married, or maybe their time together will be tragically short. Nick Payne's Constellations is a play about free will and friendship; it's also about quantum multiverse theory, love, and honey.
Publisher: Sterling Publishing Company Incorporated
ISBN: 1402703856
Category: Juvenile Nonfiction
Page: 47
View: 9930
Provides an introduction to constellations that blends storytelling with basic astronomical facts, revealing the myths of the gods and heroes whose names are on today's star maps, and includes glow-in-the dark illustrations.
A Guide to Stars and Constellations and Their Legends
Author: Milton D. Heifetz,Wil Tirion
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521544153
Category: Nature
Page: 87
View: 8685
Introduces the patterns of the night sky with simplified maps to guide beginners in locating the constellations and the stars within them, and includes ancient myths and legends related to the stars.
This book compiles an array of interesting constellations that fell by the wayside before the IAU established the modern canon of constellations. That decision left out lesser known ones whose history is nevertheless interesting, but at last author John Barentine is giving them their due. This book is a companion to "The Lost Constellations", highlighting the more obscure configurations. The 16 constellations found in this volume fall into one or more of three broad categories: asterims, such as the Big Dipper in Ursa Major; single-sourced constellations introduced on surviving charts by a cartographer perhaps currying the favor of sponsors; and re-brands, new figures meant to displace existing constellations, often for an ideological reason. All of them reveal something unique about the development of humanity's map of the sky.
Ancient astrologers declared stars "fixed" to distinguish them from wandering stars, which they called planets. This book is the distillation of two thousand years of astrological research. It is a comprehensive survey of fixed stars in natal & mundane astrology, the stars & constellations of medieval magic, and fixed stars in astrometeorology. Robson gives their traditional meanings & their effects when combined with planets & angles. Convenient tables & a comprehensive index make this volume easy to use. Included are some 110 named stars, as well as 48 ancient constellations & 60 modern ones. Arabic, Chinese & Hindu lunar mansions are also discussed. Since its first publication in 1923, this book has been the classic on fixed stars, the one to which everyone since has referred. About the author: Vivian Erwood Robson, 1890 - 1942, was a librarian by trade. Like many librarians he had a natural bent for research, and, in his particular case, astrology. He studied ancient astrologers closely, including Ptolemy & William Lilly. His books on fixed stars, electional astrology & relationships are 20th century classics. ar
How did the Great Bear get its name? Where can I find Orion in the sky? And why is the constellation of Cassiopeia hanging upside down? Stories of the Constellations collects 40 classic myths and legends of the night sky. Aries may be a ram, but why can it be found among the stars? How can you find the Big Dipper? What are the stories behind Cancer the Crab, Sagittarius the Centaur and Hydra the serpent? Explained in this book are the stories behind the 12 star signs (such as the Gemini twins, the Taurus bull), along with more than 25 other characters from mythology who also have a place in the heavens, such as Perseus carrying Medusa’s head of snakes, three-headed dog Cerberus and hero Hercules fighting the dragon Draco. Stories of the Constellations is illustrated throughout with outstanding new artworks for each character, showing how the constellation fits the character. There are also colour illustrations of one of the stories about each character and locator maps that allow the reader to find the constellations in the night sky. As well as explanations of how to read the sky at night, the story behind each featured character is explained and there are easy-to-read ‘Did you know?’ factboxes. Packed with educational and fun information on both classical mythology and astronomy, Stories of the Constellations is a colourful and exciting read.
The Starwatcher's Essential Guide to the 88 Constellations, Their Myths and Symbols
Author: Geoffrey Cornelius
Publisher: Duncan Baird
ISBN: 9781844831036
Category: Constellations
Page: 176
View: 603
This illustrated guide to the night sky combines astronomy, myth & symbolism in equal measure. In addition to being a practical guide to identifying the constellations, & the stars that comprise them, it also brings star-watching vividly to life by conveying the symbolic significance that the heavens assumed in antiquity. Originally published: 1997.
Conventional star atlases are great for locating constellations and individual stars but The Star Atlas Companion goes one step further and describes the physical properties of more than 1,100 stars. With the aid of scale diagrams, the reader can get a real sense of the sizes, shapes, distances, and surface features of many of the stars visible to the naked eye in both the Nothern and Southern Hemispheres. Information on their rotational velocities and periods is given together with their spectral type and luminosity. Binary and multiple star systems are explained in detail. Special mention is made of Barnard's, Kapteyn's, Kepler's, and Van Maanen's Stars and the properties of many open clusters are given. With its emphasis on helping the amateur astronomer gain a better understanding of what they are looking at. The Star Atlas Companion will provide a new dimension to observing the star and is an invaluable supplement to any star atlas.
Viewing the Constellations with Binoculars is a complete guide to practical astronomy, written for beginners, intermediate-level astronomers, and even people who have not yet turned their gaze to the night sky. The required observing equipment to get the full value from this book is no more than a pair of regular 10 x 50 binoculars, but even more can be seen with a small astronomical telescope. This comprehensive introduction to astronomy and practical observing is far more than a guide to what can be seen in the night sky through binoculars. It introduces the reader to some basic (and some not-so-basic) astronomical concepts, and discusses the stars and their evolution, the planets, nebulae, and distant galaxies. There is a guide to selecting and using binoculars for astronomy, as well, as a ‘getting ready to observe’ section containing invaluable practical hints and tips. The second part of the book is an extraordinarily complete atlas and guide to the night sky down to 30o N (covering all the USA and Europe). It is illustrated with superb and sometimes beautiful amateur astronomical photographs, detailed maps (down to 5th magnitude), descriptions, and data on all astronomical objects of interest.
Containing star charts, a guide to the constellations, and details about seasons and the movement of the objects we see in the sky, this classic book makes H. A. Rey’s passion for astronomy evident on every page. New updates concentrate on the planetary and solar system information in the latter part of the book. Facts and figures for each planet have been revised, and new scientific information has been added, such as Pluto’s reclassification as a dwarf planet. There's also a brand-new online resource that allows readers to track the positions of the planets in the night sky till the year 2100!
