This classic beginner's guide to the night sky has been updated with planet positions and forthcoming eclipses up to the end of the year 2014, a guide to observing the Moon, comprehensive Moon maps with labeled features, and information on observing the four brightest planets: Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. This eighth edition of Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion's famous guide will appeal to astronomers of all ages. This book contains a chapter for every month, describing the prominent stars, constellations, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies that are visible. The 50 clear and easy-to-use maps provide a simple introduction to the skies of the northern hemisphere. Most of the sights are visible to the naked eye, and all are within reach of binoculars or a small telescope....

Use these easy-to-carry, glow-in-the-dark star charts to find your way around the night sky and locate star formations. Each constellation card will show width and depth icons, locator map, star map, constellation figures, and visibility icons indicating naked-eye observation, binoculars, or telescope required....