Stephen P. Maran, PhD, is former Assistant Director of Space Sciences for Information and Outreach at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
 
Richard Tresch Fienberg, PhD, is former Editor in Chief of Sky & Telescope magazine. Both Steve and Rick have received NASA medals for exceptional achievement.

Introduction 1
 
About This Book 2
 
Foolish Assumptions 2
 
Icons Used in This Book 3
 
Beyond the Book 3
 
Where to Go from Here 4
 
Part 1: Getting Started with Astronomy 5
 
Chapter 1: Seeing the Light: The Art and Science of Astronomy 7
 
Astronomy: The Science of Observation 8
 
What You See: The Language of Light 10
 
They wondered as they wandered: Understanding planets versus stars 10
 
If you see a Great Bear, start worrying: Naming stars and constellations 12
 
The smaller, the brighter: Getting to the root of magnitudes 19
 
What do I spy? Spotting the Messier Catalog and other sky objects 20
 
Looking back on light-years 22
 
Keep on moving: Figuring the positions of the stars 23
 
Gravity: A Force to Be Reckoned With 26
 
Space: A Commotion of Motion 27
 
Chapter 2: Join the Crowd: Skywatching Activities and Resources 29
 
You're Not Alone: Astronomy Clubs, Websites, Smartphone Apps, and More 30
 
Joining an astronomy club for star-studded company 30
 
Checking websites, magazines, software, and apps 31
 
Visiting Observatories and Planetariums 35
 
Ogling the observatories 35
 
Popping in on planetariums 39
 
Vacationing with the Stars: Star Parties, Eclipse Trips, Dark Sky Parks, and More 39
 
Party on! Attending star parties 40
 
Getting festive at an astro fest 42
 
Tapping into Astronomy on Tap 42
 
To the path of totality: Taking eclipse cruises and tours 42
 
Motoring to telescope motels 44
 
Chapter 3: Terrific Tools for Observing the Skies 47
 
Seeing Stars: A Sky Geography Primer 48
 
As Earth turns 48
 
keep an eye on the North Star 51
 
Beginning with Naked-Eye Observations 53
 
Using Binoculars or a Telescope for a Better View 56
 
Binoculars: Sweeping the night sky 56
 
Telescopes: When closeness counts 60
 
Planning Your First Steps into Astronomy 70
 
Chapter 4: Just Passing Through: Meteors, Comets, and Artificial Satellites 73
 
Meteors: Wishing on a Shooting Star 74
 
Spotting sporadic meteors, fireballs, and bolides 75
 
Watching meteor showers: No umbrella needed 77
 
Comets: Dirty Ice Balls or Icy Dirt Balls? 81
 
Making heads and tails of a comet's structure 82
 
Waiting for the "comets of the century" 86
 
Hunting for the next great comet 87
 
Artificial Satellites: Enduring a Love-Hate Relationship 90
 
Skywatching for artificial satellites 91
 
Finding satellite viewing predictions 92
 
UFOs: Could some be aliens? 94
 
Part 2: Going Once Around the Solar System 95
 
Chapter 5: A Matched Pair: Earth and Its Moon 97
 
Putting Earth under the Astronomical Microscope 98
 
One of a kind: Earth's unique characteristics 98
 
Spheres of influence: Earth's distinct regions 100
 
Examining Earth's Time, Seasons, and Age 102
 
Orbiting for all time 102
 
Tilting toward the seasons 104
 
Estimating Earth's age 106
 
Making Sense of the Moon 107
 
Get ready to howl: Identifying phases of the Moon 108
 
In the shadows: Watching lunar eclipses 110
 
Cultivating an interest in the occult(ations) 112
 
Hard rock: Surveying lunar geology 113
 
Quite an impact: Considering a theory about the Moon's origin 119
 
Chapter 6: Earth's Near Neighbors: Mercury, Venus, and Mars 121
 
Mercury: Weird, Hot, and Mostly Metal 122
 
Dry, Acidic, and Hilly: Piercing the Veil o

Embark on your own personal journey into the night sky. Stardate: Today!
 
Ever catch yourself staring up at the night sky and wondering just what the heck is out there? While no one book can answer all your questions, Astronomy For Dummies will take you on a tour through the Milky Way (and beyond!) that describes some of the most fascinating objects in the universe.
 
This book comes complete with online access to chapter quizzes and downloadable full-color astronomical photos of our universe, as well as easy-to-follow explanations of the eye-popping wonders and gorgeous interstellar objects that populate our solar system, galaxy, and universe. You'll find:
* Brand-new star charts for the northern and southern hemispheres, as well as descriptions of the latest tech tools for amateur astronomers
* Lists of the most recently discovered exoplanets, exomoons, and exocomets hurtling through the cosmos
* The latest timelines for dazzling solar events and maps to the best places to see them live and in-person
 
Filled with discussions of the biggest and greatest new breakthroughs and an 8-page color insert packed with unbelievable, full-color photographs, Astronomy For Dummies is a can't-miss book that will ignite a passion for understanding the mysteries of the universe in children and adults alike!