Patrick Moore’s Observer’s Year: 366 Nights of the Universe


Book Description

Observers no longer need to wonder what they will turn their attention to each night of the year with this updated text of a beloved favorite from Sir Partick Moore. His night-by-night account of the stars is the best possible guide an observer could ask for, and now includes the latest data for the years 2015-2020, preserving and extending Sir Patrick Moore's legacy. This new edition of his classic text makes it easy to see why Sir Patrick Moore was such a helpful guide to generations of budding astronomers, professional and amateur alike. For every night of the year Patrick gives the reader details of interesting objects that can be seen from Earth. It is a book for people with a wide interest in practical astronomy, those who may not have specialized in a specific area of astronomy and wish to expand their knowledge in all areas. Moore updated his book in a second edition in 2005, giving astronomical events through 2010, but a more current version has been desperately lacking. This third edition includes Sir Patrick’s original text but revises its time-sensitive material and adds all of the points of interest that change from year to year, such as eclipses, occultations, planetary positions, and so on. Sir Patrick Moore left behind an enormous legacy, including the world's longest-running television series with the same original presenter, the BBC's The Sky at Night, and more than 70 written works. His influence on the world of amateur astronomy was phenomen al, and his knowledge and passion led many to take up observing as a life-long hobby. This book, “The Observer’s Year, 366 Nights of the Universe” was, he said, one of his personal favorites. It now features a tribute to Patrick Moore's legacy as well as including what has changed in astronomy since the previous edition ten years ago.




The Observer's Year


Book Description

For this new edition, the text has been brought fully up to date – and the period covered is from 2005 to 2010. Inevitably, this has meant that large sections of the book have been completely rewritten. Much has happened since the ?rst edition was published in 1998. Patrick Moore December 2004 v 00-OY2e_PRE(i-xvi).qxd 14/2/05 2:03 PM Page vii Contents Preface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix Phases of the Moon 2005–2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xii January . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 February . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 March. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 April. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 May . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 June . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 July . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 August. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 September. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 October . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 November. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295 December. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325 Appendix A: The 88 Constellations. . . . . . . . . . . . 351 Appendix B: Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353 Appendix C: The Greek Alphabet. . . . . . . . . . . . . 363 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365 vii 00-OY2e_PRE(i-xvi).qxd 14/2/05 2:03 PM Page ix Introduction It was once said that ‘the night sky always looks much the same’. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. There are 365 days in each year (366 in a Leap Year!), and from an astronomical point of view no two are alike.




The Observer's Year


Book Description

Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series THE OBSERVER'S YEAR SECOND EDITION There are 365 nights in every year (366 in a leap year!) and from an amateur astronomer's point of view, no two are alike. And that is why Sir Patrick Moore - the world's most widely known and respected TV broadcaster and writer on astronomy - has produced this unique book to highlight special objects of interest on each and every night of the year. Using easy-to-follow star maps, he talks about the science and history of stars, double stars, galaxies, nebulae, the Moon, planets, constellations and even asteroids. This second edition has been fully updated for astronomical events through until the year 2010. What they said about the first edition NEW SCIENTIST " ... beautifully written and bubbles with enthusiasm." ASTRONOMY & SPACE "Well, Patrick Moore has done it again. What an excellent book this is."




The Observer’s Year


Book Description

It was on ce said that 'the night sky always looks much the same'. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. There are 365 days in each year (366 in a Leap Year!), and from an astronomical point of view no two are alike. What I aim to do, in this book, is to go through a complete year and point out some special items of interest for each night. It may be a double star, a vari able star or a nebula; it may be a planet, or even the Moon in some particular aspect - there is plenty of variety. (Anyone unfamiliar with astronomical terms should consult the Glossary at the end ofthis book. ) Let it be said at once that you do not need a large and expensive telescope. A surprising amount can be seen with the naked eye, and binoculars give increased range; indeed, it is probably fair to say that good binoc ulars are ideal for the beginner, and are far better than very small telescopes. Telescopes are of two types: refractors, and reflectors. A refractor collects its light by means of a glass lens known as an object-glass (OG); the light passes down the telescope tube and is brought to focus, where an image is formed and is then magnified by a second lens, termed an eyepiece.




Patrick Moore's Observer's Year: 366 Nights of the Universe


Book Description

Observers no longer need to wonder what they will turn their attention to each night of the year with this updated text of a beloved favorite from Sir Partick Moore. His night-by-night account of the stars is the best possible guide an observer could ask for, and now includes the latest data for the years 2015-2020, preserving and extending Sir Patrick Moore's legacy. This new edition of his classic text makes it easy to see why Sir Patrick Moore was such a helpful guide to generations of budding astronomers, professional and amateur alike. For every night of the year Patrick gives the reader details of interesting objects that can be seen from Earth. It is a book for people with a wide interest in practical astronomy, those who may not have specialized in a specific area of astronomy and wish to expand their knowledge in all areas. This third edition includes Sir Patrick's original text but revises its time-sensitive material and adds all of the points of interest that change from year to year, such as eclipses, occultations, planetary positions, and so on. Sir Patrick Moore left behind an enormous legacy, including the world's longest-running television series with the same original presenter, the BBC's The Sky at Night, and more than 70 written works. His influence on the world of amateur astronomy was phenomenal, and his knowledge and passion led many to take up observing as a life-long hobby. This book, "The Observer's Year, 366 Nights of the Universe" w as, he said, one of his personal favorites. It now features a tribute to Patrick Moore's legacy as well as including what has changed in astronomy since the previous edition ten years ago.













New Scientist


Book Description