Author Description

Philip's Stargazing 2007 is a month-by-month guide to the ever-changing night sky, written by internationally known astronomy writers and broadcasters Heather Couper and Nigel Henbest. Concise and informative, it will help starwatchers to see all the year's most fascinating events, whether observing with the naked eye or with a large telescope. The guide is suitable for use between latitudes 40 and 60N - Britain and Ireland; Europe as far south as Rome; Canada and northern United States as far south as Philadelphia.Twelve chapters - one for each month of the year - form the heart of the book. Each month has a colour star map showing the positions and phases of the Moon, the positions of the planets, and other useful information. The charts show stars down to third magnitude, with some fourth-magnitude stars included to complete distinctive patterns. All these stars are visible with the naked eye.Each month includes: a featured constellation described in detail; the positions of all the planets except Pluto (that is, the ones that can be observed with typical amateur equipment), and the times when they are visible; dates and locations for the main phases of the Moon, and any close approaches to planets or bright stars; special events during the month and how to observe them; a featured astronomical object, an astro-photograph, with details of how it was taken; an observing tip; and a brief article related to the view that month. Also included are a Solar System Almanac which explains in brief the movement of the planets, with particular attention paid to their positions in 2007; and explanations of solar and lunar eclipses, meteor showers and comets.The next section, Exploring the Deep Sky, provides a list of deep sky objects, constellation by constellation. The observer can use the monthly charts to find out which constellations are on view, and then use this information to plan his or her deep sky observing session.The book concludes with an Equipment Guide. He