The Practical Astronomer

The Practical Astronomer is a beautifully produced book, with a plethora of colour photographs taken from some of the world's great observatories and space telescopes. There are chapters on the universe, star clusters and nebulae; making observations and equipment; constellations; the solar system; and a monthly sky guide. The sections on star charts are particularly well illustrated and show the view from the northern or southern hemispheres, simply by turning the book through 180°. Also, in these sections, useful observing tips are given; for example, how to find nebulae and other features of interest. However, the descriptions can be misleading...