At last! An easy to follow guide to the sky that provides essential information in a non-technical way.

Note: You can learn even more about this book on the Beginner's Observing Guide homepage.

The Beginner's Observing Guide introduces you to:

• The motion of the heavens
• The position of objects in the sky
• The brightness of heavenly objects
• Finding your direction from the stars
• The names of the brightest stars
• The naming systems for stars
• What to make of the constellations
• How to read star maps
• Observing the Moon and its phases
• Observing "unaided-eye" variable stars
• Observing meteors and meteor showers
• Observing comets, Aurora, the Zodiacal Light
• Observing the Sun safely
• Recording observations quickly and easily
• Month-by-month star maps that are easy to read
• Numerous tips on becoming a better observer
• Practical exercises to develop observing skills
• Special information about binocular observing
• Information about when to buy a telescope
• Considerations to remember when buying a telescope
• Recommended sources of additional information
• A helpful glossary of amateur astronomical terms
• Answers to questions asked by beginning observers

An appendix that includes several lists:

• the 88 constellations
• solar system data for both the sun & planets
• the 30 brightest stars
• 10 variable stars to be observed with the "un-aided eye"
• the 10 nearest "unaided-eye" stars

A user friendly format intended for use outdoors:

• star maps that fold out
• a binding that allows the book to lie flat
• space to record observing notes at the end