The most productive half-hour in my garden, ever!, 15 Jan 2007
For years I've gazed up at the stars and wondered how I could start to find out about the constellations; if only I'd known about this book I'd have had my answer.

It's brilliant, half an hour in the back garden and I'd found the Big Dipper, Polaris, the Little Dipper, Cassiopeia, and several others. Similarly, for ten years I'd seen a series of three stars in the sky and wondered what they were, now I know; the belt of Orion!

Simple steps, clear diagrams, measuring techniques, everything that you need to start is here. If you want to get to know the night sky, you could do no better than start here.

buy it, 03 Feb 2005
If your like I was - unable to make out pictures shown in constellations and require a giant to help you join the dots up in the sky to actually see images - then get this book. It easily points out the shapes and shows you how to find your way around the sky at night. The legends are great and is always useful to impress ppl with.

Does what it says on the tin, 10 Feb 2003
Either take a look and then go out for a walk, go out for a walk come home and look up what you were looking at, or stick your nose right out the window and look, this book is a fine read, and shows you how to hop from star to star, and it also tells you a little about the legends and myths of the stars.

Well worth the money and ideal as a "dippy in" book too.

Get hold of the book and take a walk this night itself!, 27 Jun 2001
I chanced upon this book when looking for a present for my son's eighth birhtday in April. Since then we can hardly take our eyes off the night-skies. I have looked at many such books but this is the best of them all for an introduction, especially for children. The illustrations are superbly done and the difficult task of orienting oneself properly with respect to the skies and the map is indicated by simply putting a silhouette drawing at the bottom of the page; I find this a very innovative technique. The text accompanying the illustrations is precise and easy to follow for children. The legends are given in just the right amount, thankfully leaving out some of the violent ones and this makes it a wholesome introduction of the night sky for children. The choice of colour schemes is simple and beautiful. The great quality of the book is that once you open the pages the book recedes into the background and you will see only the brilliant star lit sky.

The most productive half-hour in my garden, ever!, 15 Jan 2007
For years I've gazed up at the stars and wondered how I could start to find out about the constellations; if only I'd known about this book I'd have had my answer.

It's brilliant, half an hour in the back garden and I'd found the Big Dipper, Polaris, the Little Dipper, Cassiopeia, and several others. Similarly, for ten years I'd seen a series of three stars in the sky and wondered what they were, now I know; the belt of Orion!

Simple steps, clear diagrams, measuring techniques, everything that you need to start is here. If you want to get to know the night sky, you could do no better than start here.

buy it, 03 Feb 2005
If your like I was - unable to make out pictures shown in constellations and require a giant to help you join the dots up in the sky to actually see images - then get this book. It easily points out the shapes and shows you how to find your way around the sky at night. The legends are great and is always useful to impress ppl with.

Does what it says on the tin, 10 Feb 2003
Either take a look and then go out for a walk, go out for a walk come home and look up what you were looking at, or stick your nose right out the window and look, this book is a fine read, and shows you how to hop from star to star, and it also tells you a little about the legends and myths of the stars.

Well worth the money and ideal as a "dippy in" book too.

Get hold of the book and take a walk this night itself!, 27 Jun 2001
I chanced upon this book when looking for a present for my son's eighth birhtday in April. Since then we can hardly take our eyes off the night-skies. I have looked at many such books but this is the best of them all for an introduction, especially for children. The illustrations are superbly done and the difficult task of orienting oneself properly with respect to the skies and the map is indicated by simply putting a silhouette drawing at the bottom of the page; I find this a very innovative technique. The text accompanying the illustrations is precise and easy to follow for children. The legends are given in just the right amount, thankfully leaving out some of the violent ones and this makes it a wholesome introduction of the night sky for children. The choice of colour schemes is simple and beautiful. The great quality of the book is that once you open the pages the book recedes into the background and you will see only the brilliant star lit sky.

OK in the US in the Nineties - not now in the UK, 09 Sep 2003
I am not knocking this book's factual contents, the charts seem nice and clear and there is interesting info on the mythology and science of the constellations.

But, the book is aimed at those living at 40 degrees north (for Americans, primarily) so isn't really right for the UK. Also the guides to the positions of the planets are out of date, so that important section is no use at all.

The best star map book - by far!, 20 Jun 2000
...I've probably bought at least a dozen copies over the years, for myself, for friends. It's the only star map book I've ever seen in which the maps actually look like the night sky. Very easy to use. Very well written. Has a wonderful selection of star myths and also clear, elementary explanations of the science. Highly recommended.

The most productive half-hour in my garden, ever!, 15 Jan 2007
For years I've gazed up at the stars and wondered how I could start to find out about the constellations; if only I'd known about this book I'd have had my answer.

It's brilliant, half an hour in the back garden and I'd found the Big Dipper, Polaris, the Little Dipper, Cassiopeia, and several others. Similarly, for ten years I'd seen a series of three stars in the sky and wondered what they were, now I know; the belt of Orion!

Simple steps, clear diagrams, measuring techniques, everything that you need to start is here. If you want to get to know the night sky, you could do no better than start here.

buy it, 03 Feb 2005
If your like I was - unable to make out pictures shown in constellations and require a giant to help you join the dots up in the sky to actually see images - then get this book. It easily points out the shapes and shows you how to find your way around the sky at night. The legends are great and is always useful to impress ppl with.

Does what it says on the tin, 10 Feb 2003
Either take a look and then go out for a walk, go out for a walk come home and look up what you were looking at, or stick your nose right out the window and look, this book is a fine read, and shows you how to hop from star to star, and it also tells you a little about the legends and myths of the stars.

Well worth the money and ideal as a "dippy in" book too.

Get hold of the book and take a walk this night itself!, 27 Jun 2001
I chanced upon this book when looking for a present for my son's eighth birhtday in April. Since then we can hardly take our eyes off the night-skies. I have looked at many such books but this is the best of them all for an introduction, especially for children. The illustrations are superbly done and the difficult task of orienting oneself properly with respect to the skies and the map is indicated by simply putting a silhouette drawing at the bottom of the page; I find this a very innovative technique. The text accompanying the illustrations is precise and easy to follow for children. The legends are given in just the right amount, thankfully leaving out some of the violent ones and this makes it a wholesome introduction of the night sky for children. The choice of colour schemes is simple and beautiful. The great quality of the book is that once you open the pages the book recedes into the background and you will see only the brilliant star lit sky.

OK in the US in the Nineties - not now in the UK, 09 Sep 2003
I am not knocking this book's factual contents, the charts seem nice and clear and there is interesting info on the mythology and science of the constellations.

But, the book is aimed at those living at 40 degrees north (for Americans, primarily) so isn't really right for the UK. Also the guides to the positions of the planets are out of date, so that important section is no use at all.

The best star map book - by far!, 20 Jun 2000
...I've probably bought at least a dozen copies over the years, for myself, for friends. It's the only star map book I've ever seen in which the maps actually look like the night sky. Very easy to use. Very well written. Has a wonderful selection of star myths and also clear, elementary explanations of the science. Highly recommended.

Useful starter for the beginner..., 06 Mar 2008
This is a great introduction to the world of astronomy for those using binoculars or small telescopes. It's very concise and easy to follow (using the star charts from the Dutch map-master legend Wil Tirion) detailing the monthly highlights of the night sky.

However it does lack in quantity of information and is a bit lightweight. I'd personally recommend the (very highly regarded) 'Turn Left At Orion' and/or the excellent Phillips guides to the night sky.

With a larger number of targets and a bit more substance, this would be an excellent book for the novice astronomer.

Well written and very clear, 09 Feb 2003
This is an excellently laid out book. It's clearly written and if you use it on a month by month basis you'll know what to nip outside and look out for in the night sky, while learning something to boot.

Combine this with A Walk Through The Heavens, Collins Wild Guide Night Sky, and the Kingfisher Pocket Guide Astronomy and that ought to keep you going for quite a wee while.

All of these are fine for use with your own eyes too so you don't need expensive kit to enjoy the view.

Useful and fascinating, 26 Dec 2001
Excellent introduction for beginners! Simple, easy to use and great maps. Laid out month by month, it describes exactly what to look for and how to find it, so even I was identifying stars the very first time I tried...
What makes this book special to me is that it is written in plain English, not dry and dusty "science speak", and also contains explanations of the history and mythology which accompanies most constellations.
Great as a present for an older child, or buy it (like I did) for yourself as a curious adult.

best book I've seen on the basics of the stars, 16 Jan 2001
Excellent book for northern hemisphere star gazing that I have seen. By far the clearest and most practical star maps layed out month by month alongside commentries on notable celestial occurences of the period. Clear, good looking and fun

The most productive half-hour in my garden, ever!, 15 Jan 2007
For years I've gazed up at the stars and wondered how I could start to find out about the constellations; if only I'd known about this book I'd have had my answer.

It's brilliant, half an hour in the back garden and I'd found the Big Dipper, Polaris, the Little Dipper, Cassiopeia, and several others. Similarly, for ten years I'd seen a series of three stars in the sky and wondered what they were, now I know; the belt of Orion!

Simple steps, clear diagrams, measuring techniques, everything that you need to start is here. If you want to get to know the night sky, you could do no better than start here.

buy it, 03 Feb 2005
If your like I was - unable to make out pictures shown in constellations and require a giant to help you join the dots up in the sky to actually see images - then get this book. It easily points out the shapes and shows you how to find your way around the sky at night. The legends are great and is always useful to impress ppl with.

Does what it says on the tin, 10 Feb 2003
Either take a look and then go out for a walk, go out for a walk come home and look up what you were looking at, or stick your nose right out the window and look, this book is a fine read, and shows you how to hop from star to star, and it also tells you a little about the legends and myths of the stars.

Well worth the money and ideal as a "dippy in" book too.

Get hold of the book and take a walk this night itself!, 27 Jun 2001
I chanced upon this book when looking for a present for my son's eighth birhtday in April. Since then we can hardly take our eyes off the night-skies. I have looked at many such books but this is the best of them all for an introduction, especially for children. The illustrations are superbly done and the difficult task of orienting oneself properly with respect to the skies and the map is indicated by simply putting a silhouette drawing at the bottom of the page; I find this a very innovative technique. The text accompanying the illustrations is precise and easy to follow for children. The legends are given in just the right amount, thankfully leaving out some of the violent ones and this makes it a wholesome introduction of the night sky for children. The choice of colour schemes is simple and beautiful. The great quality of the book is that once you open the pages the book recedes into the background and you will see only the brilliant star lit sky.

OK in the US in the Nineties - not now in the UK, 09 Sep 2003
I am not knocking this book's factual contents, the charts seem nice and clear and there is interesting info on the mythology and science of the constellations.

But, the book is aimed at those living at 40 degrees north (for Americans, primarily) so isn't really right for the UK. Also the guides to the positions of the planets are out of date, so that important section is no use at all.

The best star map book - by far!, 20 Jun 2000
...I've probably bought at least a dozen copies over the years, for myself, for friends. It's the only star map book I've ever seen in which the maps actually look like the night sky. Very easy to use. Very well written. Has a wonderful selection of star myths and also clear, elementary explanations of the science. Highly recommended.

Useful starter for the beginner..., 06 Mar 2008
This is a great introduction to the world of astronomy for those using binoculars or small telescopes. It's very concise and easy to follow (using the star charts from the Dutch map-master legend Wil Tirion) detailing the monthly highlights of the night sky.

However it does lack in quantity of information and is a bit lightweight. I'd personally recommend the (very highly regarded) 'Turn Left At Orion' and/or the excellent Phillips guides to the night sky.

With a larger number of targets and a bit more substance, this would be an excellent book for the novice astronomer.

Well written and very clear, 09 Feb 2003
This is an excellently laid out book. It's clearly written and if you use it on a month by month basis you'll know what to nip outside and look out for in the night sky, while learning something to boot.

Combine this with A Walk Through The Heavens, Collins Wild Guide Night Sky, and the Kingfisher Pocket Guide Astronomy and that ought to keep you going for quite a wee while.

All of these are fine for use with your own eyes too so you don't need expensive kit to enjoy the view.

Useful and fascinating, 26 Dec 2001
Excellent introduction for beginners! Simple, easy to use and great maps. Laid out month by month, it describes exactly what to look for and how to find it, so even I was identifying stars the very first time I tried...
What makes this book special to me is that it is written in plain English, not dry and dusty "science speak", and also contains explanations of the history and mythology which accompanies most constellations.
Great as a present for an older child, or buy it (like I did) for yourself as a curious adult.

best book I've seen on the basics of the stars, 16 Jan 2001
Excellent book for northern hemisphere star gazing that I have seen. By far the clearest and most practical star maps layed out month by month alongside commentries on notable celestial occurences of the period. Clear, good looking and fun

Mayan Calendrical Expert Scores Full Marks Again, 26 Nov 2007
Geoff Stray is an acknowledged expert on the Mayan Calendar and all matters pertaining to 2012. In this pocket-sized volume - which I shall be buying as a stocking filler this year - Geoff covers a different ancient calendar on each page with detailed illustrations to clarify his points. It is easy to read and beautifully produced in brown and cream monochrome. There are very few other people in the world who have researched this subject as deeply as Geoff - and I can highly recommend both this book and his magnum opus, 'Beyond 2012'.

The most productive half-hour in my garden, ever!, 15 Jan 2007
For years I've gazed up at the stars and wondered how I could start to find out about the constellations; if only I'd known about this book I'd have had my answer.

It's brilliant, half an hour in the back garden and I'd found the Big Dipper, Polaris, the Little Dipper, Cassiopeia, and several others. Similarly, for ten years I'd seen a series of three stars in the sky and wondered what they were, now I know; the belt of Orion!

Simple steps, clear diagrams, measuring techniques, everything that you need to start is here. If you want to get to know the night sky, you could do no better than start here.

buy it, 03 Feb 2005
If your like I was - unable to make out pictures shown in constellations and require a giant to help you join the dots up in the sky to actually see images - then get this book. It easily points out the shapes and shows you how to find your way around the sky at night. The legends are great and is always useful to impress ppl with.

Does what it says on the tin, 10 Feb 2003
Either take a look and then go out for a walk, go out for a walk come home and look up what you were looking at, or stick your nose right out the window and look, this book is a fine read, and shows you how to hop from star to star, and it also tells you a little about the legends and myths of the stars.

Well worth the money and ideal as a "dippy in" book too.

Get hold of the book and take a walk this night itself!, 27 Jun 2001
I chanced upon this book when looking for a present for my son's eighth birhtday in April. Since then we can hardly take our eyes off the night-skies. I have looked at many such books but this is the best of them all for an introduction, especially for children. The illustrations are superbly done and the difficult task of orienting oneself properly with respect to the skies and the map is indicated by simply putting a silhouette drawing at the bottom of the page; I find this a very innovative technique. The text accompanying the illustrations is precise and easy to follow for children. The legends are given in just the right amount, thankfully leaving out some of the violent ones and this makes it a wholesome introduction of the night sky for children. The choice of colour schemes is simple and beautiful. The great quality of the book is that once you open the pages the book recedes into the background and you will see only the brilliant star lit sky.

OK in the US in the Nineties - not now in the UK, 09 Sep 2003
I am not knocking this book's factual contents, the charts seem nice and clear and there is interesting info on the mythology and science of the constellations.

But, the book is aimed at those living at 40 degrees north (for Americans, primarily) so isn't really right for the UK. Also the guides to the positions of the planets are out of date, so that important section is no use at all.

The best star map book - by far!, 20 Jun 2000
...I've probably bought at least a dozen copies over the years, for myself, for friends. It's the only star map book I've ever seen in which the maps actually look like the night sky. Very easy to use. Very well written. Has a wonderful selection of star myths and also clear, elementary explanations of the science. Highly recommended.

Useful starter for the beginner..., 06 Mar 2008
This is a great introduction to the world of astronomy for those using binoculars or small telescopes. It's very concise and easy to follow (using the star charts from the Dutch map-master legend Wil Tirion) detailing the monthly highlights of the night sky.

However it does lack in quantity of information and is a bit lightweight. I'd personally recommend the (very highly regarded) 'Turn Left At Orion' and/or the excellent Phillips guides to the night sky.

With a larger number of targets and a bit more substance, this would be an excellent book for the novice astronomer.

Well written and very clear, 09 Feb 2003
This is an excellently laid out book. It's clearly written and if you use it on a month by month basis you'll know what to nip outside and look out for in the night sky, while learning something to boot.

Combine this with A Walk Through The Heavens, Collins Wild Guide Night Sky, and the Kingfisher Pocket Guide Astronomy and that ought to keep you going for quite a wee while.

All of these are fine for use with your own eyes too so you don't need expensive kit to enjoy the view.

Useful and fascinating, 26 Dec 2001
Excellent introduction for beginners! Simple, easy to use and great maps. Laid out month by month, it describes exactly what to look for and how to find it, so even I was identifying stars the very first time I tried...
What makes this book special to me is that it is written in plain English, not dry and dusty "science speak", and also contains explanations of the history and mythology which accompanies most constellations.
Great as a present for an older child, or buy it (like I did) for yourself as a curious adult.

best book I've seen on the basics of the stars, 16 Jan 2001
Excellent book for northern hemisphere star gazing that I have seen. By far the clearest and most practical star maps layed out month by month alongside commentries on notable celestial occurences of the period. Clear, good looking and fun

Mayan Calendrical Expert Scores Full Marks Again, 26 Nov 2007
Geoff Stray is an acknowledged expert on the Mayan Calendar and all matters pertaining to 2012. In this pocket-sized volume - which I shall be buying as a stocking filler this year - Geoff covers a different ancient calendar on each page with detailed illustrations to clarify his points. It is easy to read and beautifully produced in brown and cream monochrome. There are very few other people in the world who have researched this subject as deeply as Geoff - and I can highly recommend both this book and his magnum opus, 'Beyond 2012'.

Excellent, 5 stars, but not the right atlas for me, 24 Jul 2006
.
.
Ok. Let's get the negative stuff out of the way first. For me, this atlas does not offer sufficient detail as it goes down to mag 6.5 only. Of course, I knew this before I bought it but as a novice I didn't know what "mag 6.5" meant in real terms having not even looked through a scope at the time of purchase.

The above is obviously my fault and I should have bought the correct atlas in the first place.

Despite all this it's a very well drawn and very clear atlas and very useable as a general guide, containing plenty of other good stuff apart from the charts. When I buy a more detailed atlas it will definitely be a Wil Tirion one

Crystal Clear, 28 May 2004
I love this book. As a doorstep astronomer this is probably the highest level of detail I need and, as usual, Wil Tirion has come up trumps. His diagrams are excellent and the book is a valuable addition to my small library. I bought it when I upgraded to a Meade telescope. Wanting more detail than I could find in the average astronomy paperback, I wasn’t disappointed. Stars down to a magnitude of 6.5 are shown, which may not suit some users, but to me it’s quite enough. The clarity of Tirion’s work is renowned and this book is another great example.

The most practical atlas, 01 Nov 2002
The main star charts in this volume are quite superb - even better than those in Norton. What's more, unlike Norton, the book is reasonably priced and printed on paper of acceptable quality (although this could be improved still further, at least for those sheets on which the main charts are printed).

The lists of interesting objects are also first-rate.

My only criticism is that I think rather too much space has been given over to the monthly maps, which I personally do not find particularly useful.

Nevertheless, I have awarded this volume the highest rating, because I find it hard to imagine that the main charts and observing lists can be bettered, and these are of course the real 'meat' of the book. It is worth the price for these alone.

Overall, this is probably the most practical star atlas you can buy. Ideal for naked-eye observers or users of binoculars or small telescopes.

It's really the best, 12 Sep 2001
Let me first say ... that I used this Atlas belonging to someone else before buying my own. Yes, Norton's great ... as are other publications, but Tirion has out-done himeself. Very well presented, accurate and designed for both novice and intermediate observer. Small enough to take with you, but still large enough to present a mature view of the night sky. Many would say, " the fainter magnitudes are not displayed". Well, yes, you are right ... but this publication is designed for the casual, or novice observer and serves it's purpose well. As an experienced observer ... and someone who has really used various sky maps .. this one is tops!

I suppose that I am used to using the Sky Atlas 2000 ( Field Edition ) .. which again is superb. Highly recommended, well priced and will be used over and over.

great book, 03 Jun 1998
awesome great cool the best ever fantastic wonderfull number #1 1st place book

The most productive half-hour in my garden, ever!, 15 Jan 2007
For years I've gazed up at the stars and wondered how I could start to find out about the constellations; if only I'd known about this book I'd have had my answer.

It's brilliant, half an hour in the back garden and I'd found the Big Dipper, Polaris, the Little Dipper, Cassiopeia, and several others. Similarly, for ten years I'd seen a series of three stars in the sky and wondered what they were, now I know; the belt of Orion!

Simple steps, clear diagrams, measuring techniques, everything that you need to start is here. If you want to get to know the night sky, you could do no better than start here.

buy it, 03 Feb 2005
If your like I was - unable to make out pictures shown in constellations and require a giant to help you join the dots up in the sky to actually see images - then get this book. It easily points out the shapes and shows you how to find your way around the sky at night. The legends are great and is always useful to impress ppl with.

Does what it says on the tin, 10 Feb 2003
Either take a look and then go out for a walk, go out for a walk come home and look up what you were looking at, or stick your nose right out the window and look, this book is a fine read, and shows you how to hop from star to star, and it also tells you a little about the legends and myths of the stars.

Well worth the money and ideal as a "dippy in" book too.

Get hold of the book and take a walk this night itself!, 27 Jun 2001
I chanced upon this book when looking for a present for my son's eighth birhtday in April. Since then we can hardly take our eyes off the night-skies. I have looked at many such books but this is the best of them all for an introduction, especially for children. The illustrations are superbly done and the difficult task of orienting oneself properly with respect to the skies and the map is indicated by simply putting a silhouette drawing at the bottom of the page; I find this a very innovative technique. The text accompanying the illustrations is precise and easy to follow for children. The legends are given in just the right amount, thankfully leaving out some of the violent ones and this makes it a wholesome introduction of the night sky for children. The choice of colour schemes is simple and beautiful. The great quality of the book is that once you open the pages the book recedes into the background and you will see only the brilliant star lit sky.

OK in the US in the Nineties - not now in the UK, 09 Sep 2003
I am not knocking this book's factual contents, the charts seem nice and clear and there is interesting info on the mythology and science of the constellations.

But, the book is aimed at those living at 40 degrees north (for Americans, primarily) so isn't really right for the UK. Also the guides to the positions of the planets are out of date, so that important section is no use at all.

The best star map book - by far!, 20 Jun 2000
...I've probably bought at least a dozen copies over the years, for myself, for friends. It's the only star map book I've ever seen in which the maps actually look like the night sky. Very easy to use. Very well written. Has a wonderful selection of star myths and also clear, elementary explanations of the science. Highly recommended.

Useful starter for the beginner..., 06 Mar 2008
This is a great introduction to the world of astronomy for those using binoculars or small telescopes. It's very concise and easy to follow (using the star charts from the Dutch map-master legend Wil Tirion) detailing the monthly highlights of the night sky.

However it does lack in quantity of information and is a bit lightweight. I'd personally recommend the (very highly regarded) 'Turn Left At Orion' and/or the excellent Phillips guides to the night sky.

With a larger number of targets and a bit more substance, this would be an excellent book for the novice astronomer.

Well written and very clear, 09 Feb 2003
This is an excellently laid out book. It's clearly written and if you use it on a month by month basis you'll know what to nip outside and look out for in the night sky, while learning something to boot.

Combine this with A Walk Through The Heavens, Collins Wild Guide Night Sky, and the Kingfisher Pocket Guide Astronomy and that ought to keep you going for quite a wee while.

All of these are fine for use with your own eyes too so you don't need expensive kit to enjoy the view.

Useful and fascinating, 26 Dec 2001
Excellent introduction for beginners! Simple, easy to use and great maps. Laid out month by month, it describes exactly what to look for and how to find it, so even I was identifying stars the very first time I tried...
What makes this book special to me is that it is written in plain English, not dry and dusty "science speak", and also contains explanations of the history and mythology which accompanies most constellations.
Great as a present for an older child, or buy it (like I did) for yourself as a curious adult.

best book I've seen on the basics of the stars, 16 Jan 2001
Excellent book for northern hemisphere star gazing that I have seen. By far the clearest and most practical star maps layed out month by month alongside commentries on notable celestial occurences of the period. Clear, good looking and fun

Mayan Calendrical Expert Scores Full Marks Again, 26 Nov 2007
Geoff Stray is an acknowledged expert on the Mayan Calendar and all matters pertaining to 2012. In this pocket-sized volume - which I shall be buying as a stocking filler this year - Geoff covers a different ancient calendar on each page with detailed illustrations to clarify his points. It is easy to read and beautifully produced in brown and cream monochrome. There are very few other people in the world who have researched this subject as deeply as Geoff - and I can highly recommend both this book and his magnum opus, 'Beyond 2012'.

Excellent, 5 stars, but not the right atlas for me, 24 Jul 2006
.
.
Ok. Let's get the negative stuff out of the way first. For me, this atlas does not offer sufficient detail as it goes down to mag 6.5 only. Of course, I knew this before I bought it but as a novice I didn't know what "mag 6.5" meant in real terms having not even looked through a scope at the time of purchase.

The above is obviously my fault and I should have bought the correct atlas in the first place.

Despite all this it's a very well drawn and very clear atlas and very useable as a general guide, containing plenty of other good stuff apart from the charts. When I buy a more detailed atlas it will definitely be a Wil Tirion one

Crystal Clear, 28 May 2004
I love this book. As a doorstep astronomer this is probably the highest level of detail I need and, as usual, Wil Tirion has come up trumps. His diagrams are excellent and the book is a valuable addition to my small library. I bought it when I upgraded to a Meade telescope. Wanting more detail than I could find in the average astronomy paperback, I wasn’t disappointed. Stars down to a magnitude of 6.5 are shown, which may not suit some users, but to me it’s quite enough. The clarity of Tirion’s work is renowned and this book is another great example.

The most practical atlas, 01 Nov 2002
The main star charts in this volume are quite superb - even better than those in Norton. What's more, unlike Norton, the book is reasonably priced and printed on paper of acceptable quality (although this could be improved still further, at least for those sheets on which the main charts are printed).

The lists of interesting objects are also first-rate.

My only criticism is that I think rather too much space has been given over to the monthly maps, which I personally do not find particularly useful.

Nevertheless, I have awarded this volume the highest rating, because I find it hard to imagine that the main charts and observing lists can be bettered, and these are of course the real 'meat' of the book. It is worth the price for these alone.

Overall, this is probably the most practical star atlas you can buy. Ideal for naked-eye observers or users of binoculars or small telescopes.

It's really the best, 12 Sep 2001
Let me first say ... that I used this Atlas belonging to someone else before buying my own. Yes, Norton's great ... as are other publications, but Tirion has out-done himeself. Very well presented, accurate and designed for both novice and intermediate observer. Small enough to take with you, but still large enough to present a mature view of the night sky. Many would say, " the fainter magnitudes are not displayed". Well, yes, you are right ... but this publication is designed for the casual, or novice observer and serves it's purpose well. As an experienced observer ... and someone who has really used various sky maps .. this one is tops!

I suppose that I am used to using the Sky Atlas 2000 ( Field Edition ) .. which again is superb. Highly recommended, well priced and will be used over and over.

great book, 03 Jun 1998
awesome great cool the best ever fantastic wonderfull number #1 1st place book

mapa: satelite!, 20 Dec 2007
What's this? the book has the front cover in a foreign language! Well I guess that's why it was cheap! Anyway apart from that it looks pretty good, the satellite images are stunning so hopefully my parents wont mind the glaringly obvious error in their Christmas present as I don't now have time to return it!

Steve O'Meara has been called "the best visual planetary observer of modern times." The first to spot Comet Halley on its return in 1985, the first to determine the rotation period of Uranus, he now turns his amazing visual skills to the deep sky.

Charles Messier was one of the best comet hunters of the 1700s, with 12 comet discoveries to his credit. He was frustrated because he kept wasting time looking at fuzzy objects that turned out not to be comets. The list he kept and published of "things that aren't comets" turned out to be his ticket to immortality.

Amateur astronomers of all ages enjoy tackling the Messier catalogue members, because they represent a good sampling of what's "out there", and because finding them helps to hone observing skills. In a sense, the Messier objects are the testing grounds for budding sky watchers.

O'Meara's guide is unique in conveying his approach to observing: "It's an approach based on creative perception and on using the imagination to see patterns and shapes in the subjects seen through the eyepiece. It involves using not just your eye but also your mind's eye to associate those patterns and shapes with things that are familiar with you, to create pictures and even stories." With O'Meara as your docent, you will truly appreciate the art of the universe. --Mary Ellen Curtin, Amazon.com

The most productive half-hour in my garden, ever!, 15 Jan 2007
For years I've gazed up at the stars and wondered how I could start to find out about the constellations; if only I'd known about this book I'd have had my answer.

It's brilliant, half an hour in the back garden and I'd found the Big Dipper, Polaris, the Little Dipper, Cassiopeia, and several others. Similarly, for ten years I'd seen a series of three stars in the sky and wondered what they were, now I know; the belt of Orion!

Simple steps, clear diagrams, measuring techniques, everything that you need to start is here. If you want to get to know the night sky, you could do no better than start here.

buy it, 03 Feb 2005
If your like I was - unable to make out pictures shown in constellations and require a giant to help you join the dots up in the sky to actually see images - then get this book. It easily points out the shapes and shows you how to find your way around the sky at night. The legends are great and is always useful to impress ppl with.

Does what it says on the tin, 10 Feb 2003
Either take a look and then go out for a walk, go out for a walk come home and look up what you were looking at, or stick your nose right out the window and look, this book is a fine read, and shows you how to hop from star to star, and it also tells you a little about the legends and myths of the stars.

Well worth the money and ideal as a "dippy in" book too.

Get hold of the book and take a walk this night itself!, 27 Jun 2001
I chanced upon this book when looking for a present for my son's eighth birhtday in April. Since then we can hardly take our eyes off the night-skies. I have looked at many such books but this is the best of them all for an introduction, especially for children. The illustrations are superbly done and the difficult task of orienting oneself properly with respect to the skies and the map is indicated by simply putting a silhouette drawing at the bottom of the page; I find this a very innovative technique. The text accompanying the illustrations is precise and easy to follow for children. The legends are given in just the right amount, thankfully leaving out some of the violent ones and this makes it a wholesome introduction of the night sky for children. The choice of colour schemes is simple and beautiful. The great quality of the book is that once you open the pages the book recedes into the background and you will see only the brilliant star lit sky.

OK in the US in the Nineties - not now in the UK, 09 Sep 2003
I am not knocking this book's factual contents, the charts seem nice and clear and there is interesting info on the mythology and science of the constellations.

But, the book is aimed at those living at 40 degrees north (for Americans, primarily) so isn't really right for the UK. Also the guides to the positions of the planets are out of date, so that important section is no use at all.

The best star map book - by far!, 20 Jun 2000
...I've probably bought at least a dozen copies over the years, for myself, for friends. It's the only star map book I've ever seen in which the maps actually look like the night sky. Very easy to use. Very well written. Has a wonderful selection of star myths and also clear, elementary explanations of the science. Highly recommended.

Useful starter for the beginner..., 06 Mar 2008
This is a great introduction to the world of astronomy for those using binoculars or small telescopes. It's very concise and easy to follow (using the star charts from the Dutch map-master legend Wil Tirion) detailing the monthly highlights of the night sky.

However it does lack in quantity of information and is a bit lightweight. I'd personally recommend the (very highly regarded) 'Turn Left At Orion' and/or the excellent Phillips guides to the night sky.

With a larger number of targets and a bit more substance, this would be an excellent book for the novice astronomer.

Well written and very clear, 09 Feb 2003
This is an excellently laid out book. It's clearly written and if you use it on a month by month basis you'll know what to nip outside and look out for in the night sky, while learning something to boot.

Combine this with A Walk Through The Heavens, Collins Wild Guide Night Sky, and the Kingfisher Pocket Guide Astronomy and that ought to keep you going for quite a wee while.

All of these are fine for use with your own eyes too so you don't need expensive kit to enjoy the view.

Useful and fascinating, 26 Dec 2001
Excellent introduction for beginners! Simple, easy to use and great maps. Laid out month by month, it describes exactly what to look for and how to find it, so even I was identifying stars the very first time I tried...
What makes this book special to me is that it is written in plain English, not dry and dusty "science speak", and also contains explanations of the history and mythology which accompanies most constellations.
Great as a present for an older child, or buy it (like I did) for yourself as a curious adult.

best book I've seen on the basics of the stars, 16 Jan 2001
Excellent book for northern hemisphere star gazing that I have seen. By far the clearest and most practical star maps layed out month by month alongside commentries on notable celestial occurences of the period. Clear, good looking and fun

Mayan Calendrical Expert Scores Full Marks Again, 26 Nov 2007
Geoff Stray is an acknowledged expert on the Mayan Calendar and all matters pertaining to 2012. In this pocket-sized volume - which I shall be buying as a stocking filler this year - Geoff covers a different ancient calendar on each page with detailed illustrations to clarify his points. It is easy to read and beautifully produced in brown and cream monochrome. There are very few other people in the world who have researched this subject as deeply as Geoff - and I can highly recommend both this book and his magnum opus, 'Beyond 2012'.

Excellent, 5 stars, but not the right atlas for me, 24 Jul 2006
.
.
Ok. Let's get the negative stuff out of the way first. For me, this atlas does not offer sufficient detail as it goes down to mag 6.5 only. Of course, I knew this before I bought it but as a novice I didn't know what "mag 6.5" meant in real terms having not even looked through a scope at the time of purchase.

The above is obviously my fault and I should have bought the correct atlas in the first place.

Despite all this it's a very well drawn and very clear atlas and very useable as a general guide, containing plenty of other good stuff apart from the charts. When I buy a more detailed atlas it will definitely be a Wil Tirion one

Crystal Clear, 28 May 2004
I love this book. As a doorstep astronomer this is probably the highest level of detail I need and, as usual, Wil Tirion has come up trumps. His diagrams are excellent and the book is a valuable addition to my small library. I bought it when I upgraded to a Meade telescope. Wanting more detail than I could find in the average astronomy paperback, I wasn’t disappointed. Stars down to a magnitude of 6.5 are shown, which may not suit some users, but to me it’s quite enough. The clarity of Tirion’s work is renowned and this book is another great example.

The most practical atlas, 01 Nov 2002
The main star charts in this volume are quite superb - even better than those in Norton. What's more, unlike Norton, the book is reasonably priced and printed on paper of acceptable quality (although this could be improved still further, at least for those sheets on which the main charts are printed).

The lists of interesting objects are also first-rate.

My only criticism is that I think rather too much space has been given over to the monthly maps, which I personally do not find particularly useful.

Nevertheless, I have awarded this volume the highest rating, because I find it hard to imagine that the main charts and observing lists can be bettered, and these are of course the real 'meat' of the book. It is worth the price for these alone.

Overall, this is probably the most practical star atlas you can buy. Ideal for naked-eye observers or users of binoculars or small telescopes.

It's really the best, 12 Sep 2001
Let me first say ... that I used this Atlas belonging to someone else before buying my own. Yes, Norton's great ... as are other publications, but Tirion has out-done himeself. Very well presented, accurate and designed for both novice and intermediate observer. Small enough to take with you, but still large enough to present a mature view of the night sky. Many would say, " the fainter magnitudes are not displayed". Well, yes, you are right ... but this publication is designed for the casual, or novice observer and serves it's purpose well. As an experienced observer ... and someone who has really used various sky maps .. this one is tops!

I suppose that I am used to using the Sky Atlas 2000 ( Field Edition ) .. which again is superb. Highly recommended, well priced and will be used over and over.

great book, 03 Jun 1998
awesome great cool the best ever fantastic wonderfull number #1 1st place book

mapa: satelite!, 20 Dec 2007
What's this? the book has the front cover in a foreign language! Well I guess that's why it was cheap! Anyway apart from that it looks pretty good, the satellite images are stunning so hopefully my parents wont mind the glaringly obvious error in their Christmas present as I don't now have time to return it!

Messier objects review, 29 Jul 2002
If you have recently purchased a "go to" telescope, then you need some guidance for the nicest objects to look at. The Messier objects are probably the first thing that come to mind, and this is the book to have by your side when you start your viewing sessions. Very well laid out, with a good clear black & white photo of each Messier object (so you know you've got the right one!). As Amazon says, it is highly recommended that you purchase this book in conjunction with David Ratledge's "Observing the Caldwell Ojects" for a very good coverage of all the astronomical objects readily at your disposal.

A superb guide on how to observe the Messier objects., 30 Sep 2001
This is an excellent book for those interested in seeing how the Messier objects look under optimum sky conditions using a quality telescope of modest aperture. Superbly written and a delight to read, this is a book that I continually enjoy and is most definitely a keeper. I have other books that detail the Messier objects but this is the one I always turn to. I have no association with the author but I would like to thank him for a great book that has literally changed my approach to visual astronomy for the better.

It's a great book for advanced observers., 06 Jun 2001
Being a beginning observer, i found the observations in the book rather difficult to reproduce. I expect that i will appreciate the book more after a lot of practice and patience. On the other hand, the book is an encouragement to do so, for i was amazed to read how many details within deep-sky objects can be seen, even with modest equipment. Finally i would remark, that the author lives at an excellent location for deep-sky observing, so not all of us might be able to see what he describes.

An Excellent Guide to a Fascinating Topic, 17 Jun 1999
The book starts with the history of Charles Messier and his "Embarassing Objects", which is nicely written and easy to read. After tips on observing the Messier Objects, each of the 110 are described in detail including Photos, Star Charts to find them and what you can expect to see. I would recommend this book to anyone with a telescope!

Perfect for the beginner or veteran observer, 15 Jun 1999
This is a fantastic book for the beginner who needs an introduction to the deep sky. However it's real strength is in encouraging seasoned observers, who may have seen these objects many times, to revisit them in order to attempt to spot the details that the eagle eyed author has seen. He also encourages a relaxed and imaginative approach to observing which I will certainly attempt to adopt in the future. In summary, one of the best books of it's type I have ever read. Buy this book!!

The most productive half-hour in my garden, ever!, 15 Jan 2007
For years I've gazed up at the stars and wondered how I could start to find out about the constellations; if only I'd known about this book I'd have had my answer.

It's brilliant, half an hour in the back garden and I'd found the Big Dipper, Polaris, the Little Dipper, Cassiopeia, and several others. Similarly, for ten years I'd seen a series of three stars in the sky and wondered what they were, now I know; the belt of Orion!

Simple steps, clear diagrams, measuring techniques, everything that you need to start is here. If you want to get to know the night sky, you could do no better than start here.

buy it, 03 Feb 2005
If your like I was - unable to make out pictures shown in constellations and require a giant to help you join the dots up in the sky to actually see images - then get this book. It easily points out the shapes and shows you how to find your way around the sky at night. The legends are great and is always useful to impress ppl with.

Does what it says on the tin, 10 Feb 2003
Either take a look and then go out for a walk, go out for a walk come home and look up what you were looking at, or stick your nose right out the window and look, this book is a fine read, and shows you how to hop from star to star, and it also tells you a little about the legends and myths of the stars.

Well worth the money and ideal as a "dippy in" book too.

Get hold of the book and take a walk this night itself!, 27 Jun 2001
I chanced upon this book when looking for a present for my son's eighth birhtday in April. Since then we can hardly take our eyes off the night-skies. I have looked at many such books but this is the best of them all for an introduction, especially for children. The illustrations are superbly done and the difficult task of orienting oneself properly with respect to the skies and the map is indicated by simply putting a silhouette drawing at the bottom of the page; I find this a very innovative technique. The text accompanying the illustrations is precise and easy to follow for children. The legends are given in just the right amount, thankfully leaving out some of the violent ones and this makes it a wholesome introduction of the night sky for children. The choice of colour schemes is simple and beautiful. The great quality of the book is that once you open the pages the book recedes into the background and you will see only the brilliant star lit sky.

OK in the US in the Nineties - not now in the UK, 09 Sep 2003
I am not knocking this book's factual contents, the charts seem nice and clear and there is interesting info on the mythology and science of the constellations.

But, the book is aimed at those living at 40 degrees north (for Americans, primarily) so isn't really right for the UK. Also the guides to the positions of the planets are out of date, so that important section is no use at all.

The best star map book - by far!, 20 Jun 2000
...I've probably bought at least a dozen copies over the years, for myself, for friends. It's the only star map book I've ever seen in which the maps actually look like the night sky. Very easy to use. Very well written. Has a wonderful selection of star myths and also clear, elementary explanations of the science. Highly recommended.

Useful starter for the beginner..., 06 Mar 2008
This is a great introduction to the world of astronomy for those using binoculars or small telescopes. It's very concise and easy to follow (using the star charts from the Dutch map-master legend Wil Tirion) detailing the monthly highlights of the night sky.

However it does lack in quantity of information and is a bit lightweight. I'd personally recommend the (very highly regarded) 'Turn Left At Orion' and/or the excellent Phillips guides to the night sky.

With a larger number of targets and a bit more substance, this would be an excellent book for the novice astronomer.

Well written and very clear, 09 Feb 2003
This is an excellently laid out book. It's clearly written and if you use it on a month by month basis you'll know what to nip outside and look out for in the night sky, while learning something to boot.

Combine this with A Walk Through The Heavens, Collins Wild Guide Night Sky, and the Kingfisher Pocket Guide Astronomy and that ought to keep you going for quite a wee while.

All of these are fine for use with your own eyes too so you don't need expensive kit to enjoy the view.

Useful and fascinating, 26 Dec 2001
Excellent introduction for beginners! Simple, easy to use and great maps. Laid out month by month, it describes exactly what to look for and how to find it, so even I was identifying stars the very first time I tried...
What makes this book special to me is that it is written in plain English, not dry and dusty "science speak", and also contains explanations of the history and mythology which accompanies most constellations.
Great as a present for an older child, or buy it (like I did) for yourself as a curious adult.

best book I've seen on the basics of the stars, 16 Jan 2001
Excellent book for northern hemisphere star gazing that I have seen. By far the clearest and most practical star maps layed out month by month alongside commentries on notable celestial occurences of the period. Clear, good looking and fun

Mayan Calendrical Expert Scores Full Marks Again, 26 Nov 2007
Geoff Stray is an acknowledged expert on the Mayan Calendar and all matters pertaining to 2012. In this pocket-sized volume - which I shall be buying as a stocking filler this year - Geoff covers a different ancient calendar on each page with detailed illustrations to clarify his points. It is easy to read and beautifully produced in brown and cream monochrome. There are very few other people in the world who have researched this subject as deeply as Geoff - and I can highly recommend both this book and his magnum opus, 'Beyond 2012'.

Excellent, 5 stars, but not the right atlas for me, 24 Jul 2006
.
.
Ok. Let's get the negative stuff out of the way first. For me, this atlas does not offer sufficient detail as it goes down to mag 6.5 only. Of course, I knew this before I bought it but as a novice I didn't know what "mag 6.5" meant in real terms having not even looked through a scope at the time of purchase.

The above is obviously my fault and I should have bought the correct atlas in the first place.

Despite all this it's a very well drawn and very clear atlas and very useable as a general guide, containing plenty of other good stuff apart from the charts. When I buy a more detailed atlas it will definitely be a Wil Tirion one

Crystal Clear, 28 May 2004
I love this book. As a doorstep astronomer this is probably the highest level of detail I need and, as usual, Wil Tirion has come up trumps. His diagrams are excellent and the book is a valuable addition to my small library. I bought it when I upgraded to a Meade telescope. Wanting more detail than I could find in the average astronomy paperback, I wasn’t disappointed. Stars down to a magnitude of 6.5 are shown, which may not suit some users, but to me it’s quite enough. The clarity of Tirion’s work is renowned and this book is another great example.

The most practical atlas, 01 Nov 2002
The main star charts in this volume are quite superb - even better than those in Norton. What's more, unlike Norton, the book is reasonably priced and printed on paper of acceptable quality (although this could be improved still further, at least for those sheets on which the main charts are printed).

The lists of interesting objects are also first-rate.

My only criticism is that I think rather too much space has been given over to the monthly maps, which I personally do not find particularly useful.

Nevertheless, I have awarded this volume the highest rating, because I find it hard to imagine that the main charts and observing lists can be bettered, and these are of course the real 'meat' of the book. It is worth the price for these alone.

Overall, this is probably the most practical star atlas you can buy. Ideal for naked-eye observers or users of binoculars or small telescopes.

It's really the best, 12 Sep 2001
Let me first say ... that I used this Atlas belonging to someone else before buying my own. Yes, Norton's great ... as are other publications, but Tirion has out-done himeself. Very well presented, accurate and designed for both novice and intermediate observer. Small enough to take with you, but still large enough to present a mature view of the night sky. Many would say, " the fainter magnitudes are not displayed". Well, yes, you are right ... but this publication is designed for the casual, or novice observer and serves it's purpose well. As an experienced observer ... and someone who has really used various sky maps .. this one is tops!

I suppose that I am used to using the Sky Atlas 2000 ( Field Edition ) .. which again is superb. Highly recommended, well priced and will be used over and over.

great book, 03 Jun 1998
awesome great cool the best ever fantastic wonderfull number #1 1st place book

mapa: satelite!, 20 Dec 2007
What's this? the book has the front cover in a foreign language! Well I guess that's why it was cheap! Anyway apart from that it looks pretty good, the satellite images are stunning so hopefully my parents wont mind the glaringly obvious error in their Christmas present as I don't now have time to return it!

Messier objects review, 29 Jul 2002
If you have recently purchased a "go to" telescope, then you need some guidance for the nicest objects to look at. The Messier objects are probably the first thing that come to mind, and this is the book to have by your side when you start your viewing sessions. Very well laid out, with a good clear black & white photo of each Messier object (so you know you've got the right one!). As Amazon says, it is highly recommended that you purchase this book in conjunction with David Ratledge's "Observing the Caldwell Ojects" for a very good coverage of all the astronomical objects readily at your disposal.

A superb guide on how to observe the Messier objects., 30 Sep 2001
This is an excellent book for those interested in seeing how the Messier objects look under optimum sky conditions using a quality telescope of modest aperture. Superbly written and a delight to read, this is a book that I continually enjoy and is most definitely a keeper. I have other books that detail the Messier objects but this is the one I always turn to. I have no association with the author but I would like to thank him for a great book that has literally changed my approach to visual astronomy for the better.

It's a great book for advanced observers., 06 Jun 2001
Being a beginning observer, i found the observations in the book rather difficult to reproduce. I expect that i will appreciate the book more after a lot of practice and patience. On the other hand, the book is an encouragement to do so, for i was amazed to read how many details within deep-sky objects can be seen, even with modest equipment. Finally i would remark, that the author lives at an excellent location for deep-sky observing, so not all of us might be able to see what he describes.

An Excellent Guide to a Fascinating Topic, 17 Jun 1999
The book starts with the history of Charles Messier and his "Embarassing Objects", which is nicely written and easy to read. After tips on observing the Messier Objects, each of the 110 are described in detail including Photos, Star Charts to find them and what you can expect to see. I would recommend this book to anyone with a telescope!

Perfect for the beginner or veteran observer, 15 Jun 1999
This is a fantastic book for the beginner who needs an introduction to the deep sky. However it's real strength is in encouraging seasoned observers, who may have seen these objects many times, to revisit them in order to attempt to spot the details that the eagle eyed author has seen. He also encourages a relaxed and imaginative approach to observing which I will certainly attempt to adopt in the future. In summary, one of the best books of it's type I have ever read. Buy this book!!

Not to be used as a guide, 21 Jul 2006
This book isn't particularly good for a beginner star-gazer. The pictures are so arty that you can hardly tell the outlines of the actual constellations. Very few articles contain maps showing what part of the sky a certain constellation belongs to and what its neighbours are.

For beginners I would actually recommend any book by Ian Ridpath. His pocket guides are very detailed and helpful.

However, "The Complete Guide to the Constellations" is nice to have as a complementary book in a collection of a keen astronomer. The "Starlore" section contains myths and symbolism of every constellation. There are translations of the Arabic names of the main stars. And the arty illustrations are beautiful and colourful (as long as you don't try to use them to find your way around stars).

Overall, I'd say that the book is quite good but the title is misleading. I guess something like "Myths Behind Constellations" or "A Mythological Dictionary of Constellations" would be more appropriate.

Good, but sure you can find better., 14 Mar 2006
It's a pretty average book in my eyes. My mates got a great one, which is really old and battered and as you can guess is out of print. So I ordered this one. The stories in the book are short so dont think you can sit there telling a story about the starts to your kids (which is why i got it for camping trips) unless your willing to look up the full story. I'm sure others will love it.
Hope this helps!

The most productive half-hour in my garden, ever!, 15 Jan 2007
For years I've gazed up at the stars and wondered how I could start to find out about the constellations; if only I'd known about this book I'd have had my answer.

It's brilliant, half an hour in the back garden and I'd found the Big Dipper, Polaris, the Little Dipper, Cassiopeia, and several others. Similarly, for ten years I'd seen a series of three stars in the sky and wondered what they were, now I know; the belt of Orion!

Simple steps, clear diagrams, measuring techniques, everything that you need to start is here. If you want to get to know the night sky, you could do no better than start here.

buy it, 03 Feb 2005
If your like I was - unable to make out pictures shown in constellations and require a giant to help you join the dots up in the sky to actually see images - then get this book. It easily points out the shapes and shows you how to find your way around the sky at night. The legends are great and is always useful to impress ppl with.

Does what it says on the tin, 10 Feb 2003
Either take a look and then go out for a walk, go out for a walk come home and look up what you were looking at, or stick your nose right out the window and look, this book is a fine read, and shows you how to hop from star to star, and it also tells you a little about the legends and myths of the stars.

Well worth the money and ideal as a "dippy in" book too.

Get hold of the book and take a walk this night itself!, 27 Jun 2001
I chanced upon this book when looking for a present for my son's eighth birhtday in April. Since then we can hardly take our eyes off the night-skies. I have looked at many such books but this is the best of them all for an introduction, especially for children. The illustrations are superbly done and the difficult task of orienting oneself properly with respect to the skies and the map is indicated by simply putting a silhouette drawing at the bottom of the page; I find this a very innovative technique. The text accompanying the illustrations is precise and easy to follow for children. The legends are given in just the right amount, thankfully leaving out some of the violent ones and this makes it a wholesome introduction of the night sky for children. The choice of colour schemes is simple and beautiful. The great quality of the book is that once you open the pages the book recedes into the background and you will see only the brilliant star lit sky.

OK in the US in the Nineties - not now in the UK, 09 Sep 2003
I am not knocking this book's factual contents, the charts seem nice and clear and there is interesting info on the mythology and science of the constellations.

But, the book is aimed at those living at 40 degrees north (for Americans, primarily) so isn't really right for the UK. Also the guides to the positions of the planets are out of date, so that important section is no use at all.

The best star map book - by far!, 20 Jun 2000
...I've probably bought at least a dozen copies over the years, for myself, for friends. It's the only star map book I've ever seen in which the maps actually look like the night sky. Very easy to use. Very well written. Has a wonderful selection of star myths and also clear, elementary explanations of the science. Highly recommended.

Useful starter for the beginner..., 06 Mar 2008
This is a great introduction to the world of astronomy for those using binoculars or small telescopes. It's very concise and easy to follow (using the star charts from the Dutch map-master legend Wil Tirion) detailing the monthly highlights of the night sky.

However it does lack in quantity of information and is a bit lightweight. I'd personally recommend the (very highly regarded) 'Turn Left At Orion' and/or the excellent Phillips guides to the night sky.

With a larger number of targets and a bit more substance, this would be an excellent book for the novice astronomer.

Well written and very clear, 09 Feb 2003
This is an excellently laid out book. It's clearly written and if you use it on a month by month basis you'll know what to nip outside and look out for in the night sky, while learning something to boot.

Combine this with A Walk Through The Heavens, Collins Wild Guide Night Sky, and the Kingfisher Pocket Guide Astronomy and that ought to keep you going for quite a wee while.

All of these are fine for use with your own eyes too so you don't need expensive kit to enjoy the view.

Useful and fascinating, 26 Dec 2001
Excellent introduction for beginners! Simple, easy to use and great maps. Laid out month by month, it describes exactly what to look for and how to find it, so even I was identifying stars the very first time I tried...
What makes this book special to me is that it is written in plain English, not dry and dusty "science speak", and also contains explanations of the history and mythology which accompanies most constellations.
Great as a present for an older child, or buy it (like I did) for yourself as a curious adult.

best book I've seen on the basics of the stars, 16 Jan 2001
Excellent book for northern hemisphere star gazing that I have seen. By far the clearest and most practical star maps layed out month by month alongside commentries on notable celestial occurences of the period. Clear, good looking and fun

Mayan Calendrical Expert Scores Full Marks Again, 26 Nov 2007
Geoff Stray is an acknowledged expert on the Mayan Calendar and all matters pertaining to 2012. In this pocket-sized volume - which I shall be buying as a stocking filler this year - Geoff covers a different ancient calendar on each page with detailed illustrations to clarify his points. It is easy to read and beautifully produced in brown and cream monochrome. There are very few other people in the world who have researched this subject as deeply as Geoff - and I can highly recommend both this book and his magnum opus, 'Beyond 2012'.

Excellent, 5 stars, but not the right atlas for me, 24 Jul 2006
.
.
Ok. Let's get the negative stuff out of the way first. For me, this atlas does not offer sufficient detail as it goes down to mag 6.5 only. Of course, I knew this before I bought it but as a novice I didn't know what "mag 6.5" meant in real terms having not even looked through a scope at the time of purchase.

The above is obviously my fault and I should have bought the correct atlas in the first place.

Despite all this it's a very well drawn and very clear atlas and very useable as a general guide, containing plenty of other good stuff apart from the charts. When I buy a more detailed atlas it will definitely be a Wil Tirion one

Crystal Clear, 28 May 2004
I love this book. As a doorstep astronomer this is probably the highest level of detail I need and, as usual, Wil Tirion has come up trumps. His diagrams are excellent and the book is a valuable addition to my small library. I bought it when I upgraded to a Meade telescope. Wanting more detail than I could find in the average astronomy paperback, I wasn’t disappointed. Stars down to a magnitude of 6.5 are shown, which may not suit some users, but to me it’s quite enough. The clarity of Tirion’s work is renowned and this book is another great example.

The most practical atlas, 01 Nov 2002
The main star charts in this volume are quite superb - even better than those in Norton. What's more, unlike Norton, the book is reasonably priced and printed on paper of acceptable quality (although this could be improved still further, at least for those sheets on which the main charts are printed).

The lists of interesting objects are also first-rate.

My only criticism is that I think rather too much space has been given over to the monthly maps, which I personally do not find particularly useful.

Nevertheless, I have awarded this volume the highest rating, because I find it hard to imagine that the main charts and observing lists can be bettered, and these are of course the real 'meat' of the book. It is worth the price for these alone.

Overall, this is probably the most practical star atlas you can buy. Ideal for naked-eye observers or users of binoculars or small telescopes.

It's really the best, 12 Sep 2001
Let me first say ... that I used this Atlas belonging to someone else before buying my own. Yes, Norton's great ... as are other publications, but Tirion has out-done himeself. Very well presented, accurate and designed for both novice and intermediate observer. Small enough to take with you, but still large enough to present a mature view of the night sky. Many would sa