New Zealand's Night Sky

Author: Stardome Observatory
Publisher: Penguin Books
ISBN: 9780143568032
Category : Constellations
Languages : en
Pages : 12

Book Description
When you look up at the stars in the night sky it can be easy to think of them as lights glowing on a large dark ceiling. Can you identify the brightest stars and planets? Do you know which constellations are visible right now, and what their stories are? New Zealand's Night Sky by the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium guides you through our southern hemisphere night sky with two detailed star maps which glow in the dark, allowing you to view them outdoors at night. The guide also provides a detailed list of the constellations with useful images and descriptions.

The Lost Constellations

Author: John C. Barentine
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319227955
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 506

Book Description
Casual stargazers are familiar with many classical figures and asterisms composed of bright stars (e.g., Orion and the Plough), but this book reveals not just the constellations of today but those of yesteryear. The history of the human identification of constellations among the stars is explored through the stories of some influential celestial cartographers whose works determined whether new inventions survived. The history of how the modern set of 88 constellations was defined by the professional astronomy community is recounted, explaining how the constellations described in the book became permanently “extinct.” Dr. Barentine addresses why some figures were tried and discarded, and also directs observers to how those figures can still be picked out on a clear night if one knows where to look. These lost constellations are described in great detail using historical references, enabling observers to rediscover them on their own surveys of the sky. Treatment of the obsolete constellations as extant features of the night sky adds a new dimension to stargazing that merges history with the accessibility and immediacy of the night sky.

Matariki

Author: Rangi Matamua
Publisher: Huia Pub.
ISBN: 9781775503255
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
In mid-winter, Matariki rises in the pre-dawn sky, and its observation is celebrated with incantations on hilltops at dawn, balls, exhibitions, dinners and a vast number of events. The Matariki tradition has been re-established, and its regeneration coincides with a growing interest in Māori astronomy. Still, there remain some unanswered questions about how Matariki was traditionally observed. These include: What is Matariki? Why did Māori observe Matariki? How did Māori traditionally celebrate Matariki? When and how should Matariki be celebrated? Based on research and interviews with Māori experts, this book seeks answers to these questions and explores what Matariki was in a traditional sense so it can be understood and celebrated in our modern society.

The Art of Astrophotography

Author: Ian Morison
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1316618412
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 283

Book Description
This book provides a step-by-step guide of how anyone can capture and produce beautiful astronomical images, for beginners and professionals alike.

Flags of the Night Sky

Author: André G. Bordeleau
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461409292
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 356

Book Description
Many national flags display astronomical features – Sun, Moon, stars – but are they really based on existing astronomical objects? The United States flag sports 50 stars, one for each state, however none of them are linked to real stars. Further, the lunar crescent is often shaped like the Sun being eclipsed by the Moon. At times, stars are seen right next to the crescent, where the darkened disc of the moon should be! This book will present true astronomical objects and patterns highlighted on national flags and link informative capsules about these objects to the political reasons why they were chosen to adorn such an important symbol.

Uncharted Constellations

Author: John C. Barentine
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319276190
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 227

Book Description
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.

A Stargazing Program for Beginners

Author: Jamie Carter
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319220721
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 425

Book Description
Sets out a simple month-by-month program to reveal all of the night sky's biggest and most beautiful secrets in just one year – and with only a few hours of stargazing each month By investing just an hour a week and $50 in binoculars, it’s possible to learn a few simple techniques and quickly gain a real insight into the night sky's ever-changing patterns – and what they tell us about Earth, the seasons and ourselves. Searching more for a learned appreciation of nature and our exact place within the cosmos than academic scientific knowledge, science and travel writer Jamie Carter takes the reader on a 12 month tour of the night sky's incredible annual rhythms that say so much about Earth. During the journey he learns about the celestial mechanics at work in the skies above that are – to the beginner – almost beyond belief. As well as the vital constellations and clusters, and the weird and wonderful nebulas, he searches out “dark sky destinations” across the globe that help increase knowledge and give a new perspective on familiar night sky sights. On the journey he witnesses a solar eclipse and grapples with star-charts, binoculars, smartphone apps, telescopes, spots satellites and attempts basic astro-photography. By year's end, the reader will be able to glance at the night sky from anywhere on the planet and tell what direction he or she is facing, what time it is, where all the planets are and even where the Galactic Center Point is.

100 Things to See in the Night Sky, Expanded Edition

Author: Dean Regas
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1507213824
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 256

Book Description
Discover the amazing wonders of the night sky with this expanded edition to 100 Things to See in the Night Sky, perfect for every amateur stargazer and armchair astronomer! Keep your feet on the ground and experience the night sky to the fullest by exploring planets, satellites, and constellations with this all-inclusive reference guide to space. 100 Things to See in the Night Sky, Expanded Edition is full of information on the many amazing things you can see with a telescope, or just your naked eye! From shooting stars to constellations and planets to satellites, this book gives you a clear picture of what you can see on any given night. Learn about the celestial bodies that have captured people’s imaginations for centuries, with specific facts alongside traditional myths and beautifully illustrated photographs and star charts that will help you know where to look for the best view. With this illuminating guide, you’ll enjoy hours of stargazing, whether you’re travelling, camping, sitting in your back yard, or simply flipping through the beautiful images in this book.

A Question and Answer Guide to Astronomy

Author: Pierre-Yves Bely
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 131661526X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 361

Book Description
Contains 250 questions and answers about astronomy, particular for the amateur astronomer.

Constellations

Author: Govert Schilling
Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal
ISBN: 0316483893
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 1020

Book Description
Perfect for stargazers and armchair astronomers of all ages, CONSTELLATIONS is a beautifully illustrated, fascinatingguide to all 88 constellations, including an illustrated star map for each. In CONSTELLATIONS, award-winning astronomy writer Govert Schilling takes us on an unprecedented visual tour of all 88 constellations in our night sky. Much more than just a stargazer's guide, CONSTELLATIONS is complete history of astronomy as told by Schilling through the lens of each constellation. The book is organized alphabetically by constellation. Profiles of each constellation include basic information such as size, visibility, and number of stars, as well as information on the discovery and naming of the constellation and associated lore. Beyond details about the constellation itself is information about every astronomical event that took place or discovery made in the vicinity of the constellation. In the constellation of Cygnus (the Swan) we encounter the location of the first confirmed black hole. A stop at Gemini (the Twins) is a chance to say hello to the dwarf planet Pluto, and in Orion (the hunter) we find the location of the first identified gamma-ray burst.Stunning star maps throughout the book by acclaimed star mapmaker Wil Tirion show us the exact location of every constellation, the details of its structure, as well as its surrounding astronomical neighbors.