Here’s a brief chapter-by-chapter look at our fifth edition of NightWatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe.
While the chapter topics are essentially the same as in previous editions, the content has been updated to include recent astronomical discoveries and advances in equipment for amateur astronomers.
Most of the images in the previous edition have been replaced with new astrophotos or shots of widely available stargazing gear. The popular star charts now include even more telescopic targets of interest. Tables of celestial events have been extended to 2035.
Chapter 1: Backyard Astronomy
Naturalists of the Night • The Starry Realm
An introduction to the multifaceted hobby of amateur astronomy and the allure of becoming a “naturalist of the night.”
Chapter 2: The Universe in Eleven Steps
The Galaxy in a Sandbox • The Milky Way Galaxy • The Great Beyond
An 11-step cosmic zoom through our solar system, across the Milky Way and outward to the edge of the observable universe. This graphic exercise inspires an appreciation for the structure and immensity of the cosmos.
Chapter 3: The Celestial Works
Sky Motions • Circumpolar Stars • Helpful Polaris • Sky Measures • Big Dipper Signpost • Constellations and Star Names • Pronunciation Guide
A primer on how the starry sky moves on a nightly and seasonal basis. You’ll discover that easy-to-find patterns like the Big Dipper and Orion point to other constellations and stars. Our Videos page features animations that supplement the book’s diagrams and charts.
Chapter 4: Stars for All Seasons
Star Brightness • Stuff That Moves • The Spring Sky • The Ecliptic and the Zodiac • The Summer Sky • The Autumn Sky • The Light Pollution Factor • The Winter Sky
Our seasonal sky maps are unique. Each season is presented in two full-page maps. On the left is a realistic depiction of the night sky, and on the right a labeled chart with helpful arrows for locating key stars and constellations.
NightWatch readers praise the side-by-side format and the clear labeling. Learning the night sky has never been easier.
Chapter 5: Stargazing Equipment
Selecting Binoculars • The World of Telescopes • Frequently Asked Questions About Telescopes • Mounting Issues • An Ideal Beginner’s Telescope • Making the Choice • How Powerful Is It? • Recommendations • Computer-Age Scopes • GoTo Telescopes • StarSense Telescopes • Eyepieces • Accessories • Telescope Comparisons by Aperture • Factors to Consider When Selecting a Telescope
This greatly revised chapter offers our buyer’s guide for selecting the best binoculars, beginner’s telescopes and essential accessories to enjoy the hobby, as well as advice on what to avoid. Guest author Alan Dyer provides valuable tips on using computerized GoTo telescopes.
Chapter 6: Probing the Depths
Double Stars • Using Your Night Eyes • Variable Stars • Novas and Supernovas • Open Clusters • Globular Clusters • Determining Distances • Nebulas • Star Diameters • Planetary Nebulas • Galaxies • Designation of Sky Objects • The Telescope Experience • Top Deep-Sky Treasures • Atlas of 20 Star Charts
In this chapter, you’ll take a journey through the Milky Way and beyond. An atlas of 20 selected sky regions plots dozens of deep-sky targets and offers observing tips and cosmic facts and figures. Our spiral-bound book can be folded flat, making each chart easy to use at the telescope. Essential labels are color-coded to permit reading under red light, thus preserving your night vision.
Chapter 7: The Planets
Is It Possible to See Planets or Stars During the Day? • Mercury • Venus • Mars • The Asteroid Belt • Jupiter • Saturn • Planet Watching From the City • The Outer Worlds • Visibility of the Planets 2023-2035
The focus here is our solar system. The planets are unique worlds in space, and we illustrate what these celestial bodies (and some of their moons) look like in backyard telescopes. Two pages of tables indicate where to look for the brighter planets to the year 2035 and when the best lunar and planetary conjunctions will occur.
Chapter 8: Moon and Sun
Observing the Moon • Moon Illusions • Observing the Sun • Solar Roller Coaster
We open with a detailed look at the cratered surface of the Moon. Photos and descriptive text clearly indicate features you can explore with any backyard telescope. We go on to explain how to view the Sun safely. Used carefully, a small telescope can detect the subtle, ever-changing surface of the Sun and the intricate structure of large sunspots. Specialized instruments magically reveal giant yet fragile solar prominences. Daytime astronomy is fun!
Chapter 9: Solar and Lunar Eclipses
Solar Eclipses • Future Total Solar Eclipses • The Eclipse Cult • Lunar Eclipses • Future Total Lunar Eclipses
We explain the celestial mechanics that produce two remarkable astronomical events: solar and lunar eclipses. Tables indicate where on Earth you can view a spectacular total eclipse of the Sun to the year 2035 as well as when and where the more common lunar eclipses will occur.
Chapter 10: Comets, Meteors and Auroras
Comets • Comet Grab Bag • Famous and Infamous Comets • Meteors • Major Annual Meteor Showers • Auroras
Here, we address the fascinating world of transient celestial events — auroras, meteors and comets. Your unaided eyes are all you need to enjoy a display of northern lights or a darting meteor (the major annual meteor showers are noted). Comets don’t often blossom to naked-eye visibility but are a pleasure to view in binoculars and telescopes.
Chapter 11: Photographing the Night Sky
Phone Photography • Camera on a Tripod • Camera on a Tracker • Polar Alignment • Camera on a Telescope • Telescopes for Astrophotography • Deep-Sky Shooting Steps
Expert astrophotographer Alan Dyer presents a step-by-step guide to celestial photography, starting with simple gear and techniques, then advancing to more complex deep-sky imaging. Alan covers camera-on-tripod nightscapes, Milky Way photography with star trackers, polar alignment and shooting through a telescope to capture both the brilliant Moon and faint deep-sky objects. He also offers numerous recommendations for camera settings and the best equipment.
Chapter 12: Wonders of the Southern Heavens
Caribbean Sky • Brightest Southern Stars • Southern Sky Charts • Top 10 Down Under
We travel far below the equator to experience the Southern Cross, the Magellanic Clouds and other marvels of the southern night sky. The four seasonal star maps, in the style of the northern seasonal charts in Chapter 4, can be used at locations near 30° south latitude (Australia; southern South America; southern Africa). Animations on our Videos page illustrate the motion of the southern sky.
Resources and Index
NightWatch concludes with suggestions on where you can learn more to pursue the hobby. (For additional recommendations, see the Resources page on this website.) And you can readily access topics of interest in the book using the detailed four-page index.
NightWatch Book 