The Cambridge Guide to the Constellations [Paperback]

The most complete reference book to date covering all factual aspects of the starry constellations that make up the night sky.Covering eighty-eight constellations, this highly illustrated volume provides the most complete astronomical reference work to date. The guide is divided into two parts and the information cross-indexed--allowing constellations to be readily compared or viewed individually.Covering eighty-eight constellations, this highly illustrated volume provides the most complete astronomical reference work to date. The guide is divided into two parts and the information cross-indexed--allowing constellations to be readily compared or viewed individually.Constellations are not new to astronomy. Even before the era of printing, patterns of stars have been recognized by humans and their histories have been passed on from generation to generation, culture to culture. This book is the ultimate constellation reference book. Finally, a book exists that brings together a variety of information about constellations, including: the size, visibility, and relative brightness of all eighty-eight constellations; former locations of extinct constellations; the number of visible stars in each constellation; and more. Using tables, this information is presented in the first part of the book so that constellations can be readily compared and a general view of them developed. In the second part of the book, each constellation is taken in turn, with a star chart and map illustrating the associated celestial figure, supported by a comprehensive list of essential properties. This highly illustrated volume provides the most complete reference to date covering all aspects of the constellations and will be helpful for astronomers, both amateur and professional, educators and science writers.Preface; Acknowledgements; Explanations for lists; Part I. Lists: Part II. Constellations.'& a fascinating cornucopia of constellation facts and figures &' Adrian Ashford, New Scientist' & l#*