Want to learn the basics of the sky.

[holocene]

I would like to read about various celestial objects that are visible in North America, at specific times of the year, in specific sections of the sky. <br /><br />Can anyone recommend any good books?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[bad_drawing]

I would also say pick up a monthly astromony magazine or two, such as Astronomy or Sky and Telescope. They have great information and sky charts that focus on whats currently visible or coming up. (Not to mention , they have great feature articles too.)

 

[doubletruncation]

I think Star-Hopping by Robert Garfinkle is a pretty good book - best if you have a small telescope and/or binoculars.<br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/Star-Hopping-Robert-Garfinkle/dp/0521598893/ref=pd_sim_b_1/103-4122493-1529453 <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

"Nightwatch" is another good book, with starmaps.<br /><br />Note regarding starmaps: you may be puzzled by these at first, because although north is on top, west is on the right. This is because you're meant to read them while lying on your back look up. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> (Or at least to think about them that way. They depict the sky above you, after all.) <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[weeman]

There are more books than anyone can name for this subject!<br /><br />Might I also recommend a cool website?<br />www.spaceweather.com<br /><br />This site lists more temporary things that can be viewed in the sky like comets, northern lights, and other cosmic occurrences! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><strong><font color="#ff0000">Techies: We do it in the dark. </font></strong></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>"Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. That's relativity.</strong><strong>" -Albert Einstein </strong></font></p> </div>