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

Stargazing is an activity that lasts a lifetime. There is nothing like the thrill of glimpsing at the rings of Saturn 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 the deck of a ship 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 will 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