I learned some new stuff too!, 19 Jan 2008
What a great book! Just enough information for an inquisitive 5 year old and his mum who it seems doesn't always have the answers...until now!

Great illustrations to help understanding and simply put text...my little boy is dipping into this all the time. We look at the stars now in a different light. I'm off to buy some different titles in the same series...can't recommend enough.

I learned some new stuff too!, 19 Jan 2008
What a great book! Just enough information for an inquisitive 5 year old and his mum who it seems doesn't always have the answers...until now!

Great illustrations to help understanding and simply put text...my little boy is dipping into this all the time. We look at the stars now in a different light. I'm off to buy some different titles in the same series...can't recommend enough.

Twinkle twinkle!, 05 Nov 2007
Bought this book for our daughter last Christmas, fantastic! Beautiful book, lovely detail and easy to read. Eye catching text and picures - just a great book for young and old.

I learned some new stuff too!, 19 Jan 2008
What a great book! Just enough information for an inquisitive 5 year old and his mum who it seems doesn't always have the answers...until now!

Great illustrations to help understanding and simply put text...my little boy is dipping into this all the time. We look at the stars now in a different light. I'm off to buy some different titles in the same series...can't recommend enough.

Twinkle twinkle!, 05 Nov 2007
Bought this book for our daughter last Christmas, fantastic! Beautiful book, lovely detail and easy to read. Eye catching text and picures - just a great book for young and old.

excellent reference for those starting out, 20 Feb 2008
Great starting point for anyone interested in starting up with astrophotography. This book starts off (as you'd expect) with the basics - what to look for in a telescope, then moves onto sections on how to take photos with everything from a digital compact, a webcam(!), a dSLR then finally an astronomical CCD camera.
Each section is further broken down into the same subsections: what kind of photos you can take with the particular type of camera, pros and cons of using it, buying tips, how to take the photos and finally how to process them.

This book is packed with excellent reference photos, and covers the basics of astrophotography in a lot of detail, and finishes off with an extensive list of links to appropriate software, astronomy links, camera and telescope manufacturers, and books. A must-buy for anyone considering taking photos of the night sky. Be warned though, once you've read it, you'll be outside on many a cold night!

I learned some new stuff too!, 19 Jan 2008
What a great book! Just enough information for an inquisitive 5 year old and his mum who it seems doesn't always have the answers...until now!

Great illustrations to help understanding and simply put text...my little boy is dipping into this all the time. We look at the stars now in a different light. I'm off to buy some different titles in the same series...can't recommend enough.

Twinkle twinkle!, 05 Nov 2007
Bought this book for our daughter last Christmas, fantastic! Beautiful book, lovely detail and easy to read. Eye catching text and picures - just a great book for young and old.

excellent reference for those starting out, 20 Feb 2008
Great starting point for anyone interested in starting up with astrophotography. This book starts off (as you'd expect) with the basics - what to look for in a telescope, then moves onto sections on how to take photos with everything from a digital compact, a webcam(!), a dSLR then finally an astronomical CCD camera.
Each section is further broken down into the same subsections: what kind of photos you can take with the particular type of camera, pros and cons of using it, buying tips, how to take the photos and finally how to process them.

This book is packed with excellent reference photos, and covers the basics of astrophotography in a lot of detail, and finishes off with an extensive list of links to appropriate software, astronomy links, camera and telescope manufacturers, and books. A must-buy for anyone considering taking photos of the night sky. Be warned though, once you've read it, you'll be outside on many a cold night!

see how good it is, 23 Jul 2007
See from all the reviews how universally good and welcome an impression this book makes on all who try out using it. Once you see it, no other star guide will do.

So it's crazy that Rey's system has not universally caught on. That you can still go to a stargazing talk and find Capella counted as Auriga's foot, which makes no sensible pattern in the sky at all. Rey makes Capella Auriga's eye, and by its virtue of being sensible, Rey's Capella is fixed from an early age as how I will see Capella for life.

Who are the jerks who have continued to produce silly star atlases with sloppy blob-shaped constellations since Rey did his work?

Great book!!! I would recommend this to anyone, 13 Dec 2004
This is a very clearly written book,easy to use and understand. I really enjoy the way this is written and illustrated, with clear diagrams, and often mythological tales, which accompany detailed descriptions and guidleines to finding constellations in both hemispheres. I have remembered lots from it and can now spot quite a few constellations even without the aid of the book. I think this is one of the best books available despite its age, I have never found one better and still love it even after owning a copy for about 15 years.

Superb intro to the night sky., 24 May 2002
This book is the best you will find to introduce you to the night sky and the constellations. It is also the best explanation of celestial mechanics (seasons, tides, phases of the moon, planet movements, etc) I have seen anywhere. I've used this book so much I've had to buy it three times.

The best for beginners!, 06 Feb 2002
What is unique about this books approach is that he connects up the stars in the constellations to look like that which they are supposed to represent. This makes his pictures memorable and fun. After browsing to 30 or 40 titles dealing with same subject, this absolute beginner was convinced of the worthiness of this approach, and the book has stood the test of time ('in the field') for me. Couldn't be more lucid. Not only will you be able to identify constellations, but understand their movements, the seasons, lunar cycles... Maybe not quite enough info. for the anoraks out there, but for children and greensticks like me, I don't know anything better.

Could not agree more - the best star gazing book ever, 08 Nov 2001
Had this book with me in Mexico and longed for it in the Egyptian desert. The absolute one and only star gazing book you will ever need.

I learned some new stuff too!, 19 Jan 2008
What a great book! Just enough information for an inquisitive 5 year old and his mum who it seems doesn't always have the answers...until now!

Great illustrations to help understanding and simply put text...my little boy is dipping into this all the time. We look at the stars now in a different light. I'm off to buy some different titles in the same series...can't recommend enough.

Twinkle twinkle!, 05 Nov 2007
Bought this book for our daughter last Christmas, fantastic! Beautiful book, lovely detail and easy to read. Eye catching text and picures - just a great book for young and old.

excellent reference for those starting out, 20 Feb 2008
Great starting point for anyone interested in starting up with astrophotography. This book starts off (as you'd expect) with the basics - what to look for in a telescope, then moves onto sections on how to take photos with everything from a digital compact, a webcam(!), a dSLR then finally an astronomical CCD camera.
Each section is further broken down into the same subsections: what kind of photos you can take with the particular type of camera, pros and cons of using it, buying tips, how to take the photos and finally how to process them.

This book is packed with excellent reference photos, and covers the basics of astrophotography in a lot of detail, and finishes off with an extensive list of links to appropriate software, astronomy links, camera and telescope manufacturers, and books. A must-buy for anyone considering taking photos of the night sky. Be warned though, once you've read it, you'll be outside on many a cold night!

see how good it is, 23 Jul 2007
See from all the reviews how universally good and welcome an impression this book makes on all who try out using it. Once you see it, no other star guide will do.

So it's crazy that Rey's system has not universally caught on. That you can still go to a stargazing talk and find Capella counted as Auriga's foot, which makes no sensible pattern in the sky at all. Rey makes Capella Auriga's eye, and by its virtue of being sensible, Rey's Capella is fixed from an early age as how I will see Capella for life.

Who are the jerks who have continued to produce silly star atlases with sloppy blob-shaped constellations since Rey did his work?

Great book!!! I would recommend this to anyone, 13 Dec 2004
This is a very clearly written book,easy to use and understand. I really enjoy the way this is written and illustrated, with clear diagrams, and often mythological tales, which accompany detailed descriptions and guidleines to finding constellations in both hemispheres. I have remembered lots from it and can now spot quite a few constellations even without the aid of the book. I think this is one of the best books available despite its age, I have never found one better and still love it even after owning a copy for about 15 years.

Superb intro to the night sky., 24 May 2002
This book is the best you will find to introduce you to the night sky and the constellations. It is also the best explanation of celestial mechanics (seasons, tides, phases of the moon, planet movements, etc) I have seen anywhere. I've used this book so much I've had to buy it three times.

The best for beginners!, 06 Feb 2002
What is unique about this books approach is that he connects up the stars in the constellations to look like that which they are supposed to represent. This makes his pictures memorable and fun. After browsing to 30 or 40 titles dealing with same subject, this absolute beginner was convinced of the worthiness of this approach, and the book has stood the test of time ('in the field') for me. Couldn't be more lucid. Not only will you be able to identify constellations, but understand their movements, the seasons, lunar cycles... Maybe not quite enough info. for the anoraks out there, but for children and greensticks like me, I don't know anything better.

Could not agree more - the best star gazing book ever, 08 Nov 2001
Had this book with me in Mexico and longed for it in the Egyptian desert. The absolute one and only star gazing book you will ever need.

Wonderful, 27 Mar 2006
These books have just the right balance of fun and education. They are structured classically and scientifically starting with equipment needed (all very easily obtained), the procedure, what you should observe and ending with an excellent clear explnantion of the science behind the observation. Our two children aged eight and ten are really enjoying using these books. I believe science is fun and unlike 'school-type' curriculum science these books provide a way for children to explore and find out about the world around them for themselves.

I learned some new stuff too!, 19 Jan 2008
What a great book! Just enough information for an inquisitive 5 year old and his mum who it seems doesn't always have the answers...until now!

Great illustrations to help understanding and simply put text...my little boy is dipping into this all the time. We look at the stars now in a different light. I'm off to buy some different titles in the same series...can't recommend enough.

Twinkle twinkle!, 05 Nov 2007
Bought this book for our daughter last Christmas, fantastic! Beautiful book, lovely detail and easy to read. Eye catching text and picures - just a great book for young and old.

excellent reference for those starting out, 20 Feb 2008
Great starting point for anyone interested in starting up with astrophotography. This book starts off (as you'd expect) with the basics - what to look for in a telescope, then moves onto sections on how to take photos with everything from a digital compact, a webcam(!), a dSLR then finally an astronomical CCD camera.
Each section is further broken down into the same subsections: what kind of photos you can take with the particular type of camera, pros and cons of using it, buying tips, how to take the photos and finally how to process them.

This book is packed with excellent reference photos, and covers the basics of astrophotography in a lot of detail, and finishes off with an extensive list of links to appropriate software, astronomy links, camera and telescope manufacturers, and books. A must-buy for anyone considering taking photos of the night sky. Be warned though, once you've read it, you'll be outside on many a cold night!

see how good it is, 23 Jul 2007
See from all the reviews how universally good and welcome an impression this book makes on all who try out using it. Once you see it, no other star guide will do.

So it's crazy that Rey's system has not universally caught on. That you can still go to a stargazing talk and find Capella counted as Auriga's foot, which makes no sensible pattern in the sky at all. Rey makes Capella Auriga's eye, and by its virtue of being sensible, Rey's Capella is fixed from an early age as how I will see Capella for life.

Who are the jerks who have continued to produce silly star atlases with sloppy blob-shaped constellations since Rey did his work?

Great book!!! I would recommend this to anyone, 13 Dec 2004
This is a very clearly written book,easy to use and understand. I really enjoy the way this is written and illustrated, with clear diagrams, and often mythological tales, which accompany detailed descriptions and guidleines to finding constellations in both hemispheres. I have remembered lots from it and can now spot quite a few constellations even without the aid of the book. I think this is one of the best books available despite its age, I have never found one better and still love it even after owning a copy for about 15 years.

Superb intro to the night sky., 24 May 2002
This book is the best you will find to introduce you to the night sky and the constellations. It is also the best explanation of celestial mechanics (seasons, tides, phases of the moon, planet movements, etc) I have seen anywhere. I've used this book so much I've had to buy it three times.

The best for beginners!, 06 Feb 2002
What is unique about this books approach is that he connects up the stars in the constellations to look like that which they are supposed to represent. This makes his pictures memorable and fun. After browsing to 30 or 40 titles dealing with same subject, this absolute beginner was convinced of the worthiness of this approach, and the book has stood the test of time ('in the field') for me. Couldn't be more lucid. Not only will you be able to identify constellations, but understand their movements, the seasons, lunar cycles... Maybe not quite enough info. for the anoraks out there, but for children and greensticks like me, I don't know anything better.

Could not agree more - the best star gazing book ever, 08 Nov 2001
Had this book with me in Mexico and longed for it in the Egyptian desert. The absolute one and only star gazing book you will ever need.

Wonderful, 27 Mar 2006
These books have just the right balance of fun and education. They are structured classically and scientifically starting with equipment needed (all very easily obtained), the procedure, what you should observe and ending with an excellent clear explnantion of the science behind the observation. Our two children aged eight and ten are really enjoying using these books. I believe science is fun and unlike 'school-type' curriculum science these books provide a way for children to explore and find out about the world around them for themselves.

Great Book!, 09 Apr 2005
I bought this book to help me with a physics project on space...it ruled! it had everything I needed in it, in a very well presented format. Thank you Amazon!

A 'one-stop-shop' for anyone wanting to learn about space, 04 Dec 2001
This is an excellent introduction to the highly complex world of astronomy and space. Succinctly written, clearly and colourfully designed, it makes learning the basics easy and enjoyable.

The book is divided into clear chapters such as 'Our Solar System' (the planets), 'The Stars' and 'Constellations', and none of the subjects lasts more than two pages, so it would be hard to be bored by them. Real photographs taken through telescopes and by space probes, as well as good old cameras, are used alongside excellent illustrations. And if you want to find out more there are suggested internet sites on each page. I think this is a particularly good feature, especially in an age when most children are itching to get on the internet as often as they can.

As the reader reaches the back of the book he/she will probably want to become an amateur astronomer already so will be glad of the information on binoculars, telescopes and star charts. He/she will also be fascinated, not phased, by the range of basic technical information on stars, galaxies, planets, meteor showers and future eclipse dates clearly laid out in small tables. Here, too, basic questions are answered such as 'why do stars twinkle' and 'why do space missions blast off, not take off like planes'. And - just in case any words or phrases confuse - there is a glossary of terms.

All in all an excellent read for budding astronomers, or indeed anyone who doesn't know much about space.

I learned some new stuff too!, 19 Jan 2008
What a great book! Just enough information for an inquisitive 5 year old and his mum who it seems doesn't always have the answers...until now!

Great illustrations to help understanding and simply put text...my little boy is dipping into this all the time. We look at the stars now in a different light. I'm off to buy some different titles in the same series...can't recommend enough.

Twinkle twinkle!, 05 Nov 2007
Bought this book for our daughter last Christmas, fantastic! Beautiful book, lovely detail and easy to read. Eye catching text and picures - just a great book for young and old.

excellent reference for those starting out, 20 Feb 2008
Great starting point for anyone interested in starting up with astrophotography. This book starts off (as you'd expect) with the basics - what to look for in a telescope, then moves onto sections on how to take photos with everything from a digital compact, a webcam(!), a dSLR then finally an astronomical CCD camera.
Each section is further broken down into the same subsections: what kind of photos you can take with the particular type of camera, pros and cons of using it, buying tips, how to take the photos and finally how to process them.

This book is packed with excellent reference photos, and covers the basics of astrophotography in a lot of detail, and finishes off with an extensive list of links to appropriate software, astronomy links, camera and telescope manufacturers, and books. A must-buy for anyone considering taking photos of the night sky. Be warned though, once you've read it, you'll be outside on many a cold night!

see how good it is, 23 Jul 2007
See from all the reviews how universally good and welcome an impression this book makes on all who try out using it. Once you see it, no other star guide will do.

So it's crazy that Rey's system has not universally caught on. That you can still go to a stargazing talk and find Capella counted as Auriga's foot, which makes no sensible pattern in the sky at all. Rey makes Capella Auriga's eye, and by its virtue of being sensible, Rey's Capella is fixed from an early age as how I will see Capella for life.

Who are the jerks who have continued to produce silly star atlases with sloppy blob-shaped constellations since Rey did his work?

Great book!!! I would recommend this to anyone, 13 Dec 2004
This is a very clearly written book,easy to use and understand. I really enjoy the way this is written and illustrated, with clear diagrams, and often mythological tales, which accompany detailed descriptions and guidleines to finding constellations in both hemispheres. I have remembered lots from it and can now spot quite a few constellations even without the aid of the book. I think this is one of the best books available despite its age, I have never found one better and still love it even after owning a copy for about 15 years.

Superb intro to the night sky., 24 May 2002
This book is the best you will find to introduce you to the night sky and the constellations. It is also the best explanation of celestial mechanics (seasons, tides, phases of the moon, planet movements, etc) I have seen anywhere. I've used this book so much I've had to buy it three times.

The best for beginners!, 06 Feb 2002
What is unique about this books approach is that he connects up the stars in the constellations to look like that which they are supposed to represent. This makes his pictures memorable and fun. After browsing to 30 or 40 titles dealing with same subject, this absolute beginner was convinced of the worthiness of this approach, and the book has stood the test of time ('in the field') for me. Couldn't be more lucid. Not only will you be able to identify constellations, but understand their movements, the seasons, lunar cycles... Maybe not quite enough info. for the anoraks out there, but for children and greensticks like me, I don't know anything better.

Could not agree more - the best star gazing book ever, 08 Nov 2001
Had this book with me in Mexico and longed for it in the Egyptian desert. The absolute one and only star gazing book you will ever need.

Wonderful, 27 Mar 2006
These books have just the right balance of fun and education. They are structured classically and scientifically starting with equipment needed (all very easily obtained), the procedure, what you should observe and ending with an excellent clear explnantion of the science behind the observation. Our two children aged eight and ten are really enjoying using these books. I believe science is fun and unlike 'school-type' curriculum science these books provide a way for children to explore and find out about the world around them for themselves.

Great Book!, 09 Apr 2005
I bought this book to help me with a physics project on space...it ruled! it had everything I needed in it, in a very well presented format. Thank you Amazon!

A 'one-stop-shop' for anyone wanting to learn about space, 04 Dec 2001
This is an excellent introduction to the highly complex world of astronomy and space. Succinctly written, clearly and colourfully designed, it makes learning the basics easy and enjoyable.

The book is divided into clear chapters such as 'Our Solar System' (the planets), 'The Stars' and 'Constellations', and none of the subjects lasts more than two pages, so it would be hard to be bored by them. Real photographs taken through telescopes and by space probes, as well as good old cameras, are used alongside excellent illustrations. And if you want to find out more there are suggested internet sites on each page. I think this is a particularly good feature, especially in an age when most children are itching to get on the internet as often as they can.

As the reader reaches the back of the book he/she will probably want to become an amateur astronomer already so will be glad of the information on binoculars, telescopes and star charts. He/she will also be fascinated, not phased, by the range of basic technical information on stars, galaxies, planets, meteor showers and future eclipse dates clearly laid out in small tables. Here, too, basic questions are answered such as 'why do stars twinkle' and 'why do space missions blast off, not take off like planes'. And - just in case any words or phrases confuse - there is a glossary of terms.

All in all an excellent read for budding astronomers, or indeed anyone who doesn't know much about space.

A Theory On How to Recycled your previous books !, 06 Mar 2008
Very disappointed in this book as it is extracts from previous books. I have sent it back I am that disappointed !

Hawking has disowned this book, 22 Mar 2007
Stephen Hawking's home page states that he hasn't endorsed this book and that "a complaint was made to the Federal Trade Commission in the US in the hope that they would prevent the publication". The site urges people "not to purchase this book in the belief that Professor Hawking was involved in its creation."

hawking...decipherable at last, 09 Jan 2004
i must admit that when i was first introduced to stephen hawking's books i did regard them as far too heavy. but when i came across this, and bought it, i realised truly how amazing he is at putting forward complex concepts in an entirely understandable way. it's almost like reading a normal novel as bed-time reading!
clearly the grey matter inside the book is extensive, but i would recommend it to anyone hoping to gain more of an insight into our complex universe without passing out.
God bless prof. stephen hawking!

Sloppy science and out of date when published, 28 Nov 2003
This book is pretty out of date. It yaks on and on about "closed" and "open" universes, and speculates on which. We know now that the universe isn't slowing down - it's accelerating away. Something completely unexpected and radical. The greatest discovery in science since Hubble. But not a word in the book - because the book is old material rehashed for a quick sale. This is then compounded by sloppy science - e.g. Hawking talks about rockets going at 25,000 mph to escape Earth's gravity. Rockets don't go at this speed - this is the escape energy for a ballistic object, not a powered object like a rocket. Shame on Hawking for being so sloppy, shame on the publishers for peddling out-of-date speculative writing on us as up-to-date science.

The answer is 42., 18 Nov 2003
Fascinating, but extremely brief. At only 167 pages, I read the
book, cover to conver in less than 2 hours. I can't say I'm
dissapointed, but I'd have liked a little more at this price.

Content focusses on the successive models and theories that
science has employed to discover the inner workings of the world
around us. Including much of Hawkings on work on black holes,
theories on the expansion and contraction of the universe, and
the 'direction' of time.

A little more content would easily have cranked this up to 5 star
material. I'm giving it 4 starts only becuase it's a little short.
Good stuff!