It is time to start star gazing as warmer weather approaches in my location and the 2nd edition of the National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Night Sky by Andrew Fazekas and Howard Schneider is a very highl recommended perfect companion to this pursuit. This updated guide is user friendly and well organized to aide the novice in learning about the night time sky. (Since my current guide was a much earlier edition, any update is an improvement because of the many advances in telescopes, photography, and knowledge.)

The National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Night Sky, 2nd Edition, is well organized, especially for educational purposes. It starts with the basics and gives the reader simple tasks, studying the phases of the moon, tracking the motion of the stars and planets over weeks, and learning to recognize some of the brightest constellations. This sets a foundation for future sky watching. There is also a wonderful opening illustration on Sizing up the Galaxy, which will help set the scope of the nighttime sky. Take note of the use of your hand to find your way while observing the sky. This is a great idea for beginners, especially children. Even more than that, before we even get into space, there is information on our atmosphere and tricks of light that many people have observed, like a green flash, light pillars, halos, sundogs, auroras, noctilucent clouds, and sprites, for example. There are techniques presented for making the most of viewing eclipses and meteor showers. Then there is information about the more esoteric phenomena such as black holes and supernovas.

Chapters are logically organized into: Discovering Starry Skies; The Atmosphere; The Sun; The Moon; The Planets; Comets & Meteors; Beyond The Solar System; Beyond The Milky Way; Navigating The Night Sky; Sky Charts; Viewing The Naked-Eye Planets; Further Resources and an index. Since it is a National Geographic guide, expect beautiful photographs and illustrations, charts and graphics. There are also a plethora of tips and techniques to assist in viewing the night sky with your naked eyes, binoculars, or a telescope. Since we are closely related to someone who lives out away from light pollution and has the perfect place for viewing the night sky, this is going to be a well used guide.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of National Geographic in exchange for my honest opinion for TLC Book Tours. ( )

Ever since I can remember I could look up at the sky and see the patterns in the stars. While I didn’t always know what constellation I was seeing, I could always pick them out. As I got older I learned to identify several, starting with Orion. I now have put names to many of those star groupings I have been seeing since I was a small girl. Not to mention that since moving to rural Montana I have found a few more given the amazing way the night sky looks here.

National Geographic’s Backyard Guide to the Night Sky is a fantastic entry for anyone wanting to learn more about the wonder of watching the stars and planets. Even if you just want to walk out your door on a clear night and look up with the naked eye this guide will show you how to identify the named constellations, give you a map to where they appear at the different times of year and teach you about the different stars and other things of note in each constellation.

The book also delves into other celestial objects like the planets and their moons, artificial satellites and asteroids. meteor showers, and comets. I know how much I look forward to the annual Perseid, Leonid and Geminid meteor showers. I can also attest to the excitement of seeing comets like Hale Bop and yes, I was lucky enough to see Halley’s Comet from a deserted island in the Sea of Cortez. It was HUGE!

The Backyard Guide to the Night Sky is full of information about how the constellations were chosen, why the Big Dipper is NOT a constellation but rather an asterism. (read the book. HA!) It’s part of Ursa Major constellation. You will learn about the aurora (be still my heart) and so much more.

I’ve enjoyed reading a chapter here and a chapter there in between my regular reading. If you have any interest at all in ordering the stars when you look up this book will be a perfect start. ( )