The Backyard Stargazer: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Skywatching With and Without a Telescope

Stargazing is an activity that lasts a lifetime. There's nothing like the thrill of glimpsing Saturn's rings for the first time or seeing, with the aid of a simple pair of binoculars, a fuzzy patch in the sky resolve into a cluster of sparkling stars. The Backyard Stargazer will help you discover new wonders in the night sky, whether you observe from a lounge chair in your backyard, a camp set up far from city lights, or a ship's deck on a special "stargazing cruise."Written in a conversational, accessible style, The Backyard Stargazer is a down-to-earth guide to observing the night (and daytime!) sky without having to invest in a lot of equipment.You'll discover:What you need to get started: a clear night, a red-light flashlight, and a copy of The Backyard Stargazer to guide your observing sessions Seasonal star maps to help you spot constellations-and more-year round Things you never knew about the Moon, Sun, and planets What causes an eclipse and how you can travel to see one How stars are born and where comets come from How to photograph auroras, meteors, and constellations What you can see with the naked eye, binoculars, and-when you're ready-a small telescope Includes 46 easy projects for planet-watching, moon-viewing, and constellation-spotting!