By David H. Levy & Dr. John O’Byrne
Published by Adlard Cole Nautical (Jan 2012)
ISBN 9781408157466

This complete, comprehensive guide to the night sky should be an essential part of every sailor and every astronomer’s library.

Assuming no prior knowledge, this invaluable handbook helps the user to read and understand the changing sky whether they are at sea or on land. Readers are given shrewd advice on how to read the night sky and understand star charts, as well as information on whether particular stars can be seen with the naked eye or require binoculars or a telescope.

At the core of the book are 150 sky charts, showing what features can be seen in each position and at what time of year. Every constellation in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere is mapped out and simple methods are given for finding the biggest, brightest stars in order to identify other lesser stars by their relative position.

For sailors at sea, celestial navigation really comes into its own – providing a definite means of checking the boat’s position when GPS and other electronic malfunction. This book will provide a complete reference as to what stars and constellations can be used when and where in the world.

The Practical Skywatcher’s Handbook is ideal for anyone, on land or sea, wanting a complete guide to the night sky.

David H Levy is an astronomer and science writer most famous for his co-discovery of Comet Shoemaker-Levy, which collided with Jupiter in 1994. John O’Byrne is the secretary of the Astronomical Society of Australia, and Chair of the School of Physics at the University of Sydney.