Eyewitness Companions: Astronomy

Eyewitness Companions

by Ian Ridpath, Carole Stott, Giles Sparrow

The book traces the history of astronomy, from the earliest human civilizations to the present day, plus a description of what the interested person can see in the night sky.

Genres: Science, Astronomy, Nonfiction, Reference, Space, Popular Science

300 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1976

About the author

Ian William Ridpath is an English amateur astronomer, who has been an active observer, writer, editor, and broadcaster, on the subject since 1972. He is also known for his UFO skepticism, an interest in astro-philately, marathon running (having participated in the London Marathon dressed as Halley’s Comet) and, most recently, horse racing.

Ridpath has an equally varied and productive professional life. He has written or edited over forty books in the field of astronomy, he is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (Council member 2004–07), a member of the Society of Authors, a member of the Association of British Science Writers, he has worked at the University of London Observatory, and manages a self-publishing business. He also regularly gives talks and lectures on astronomy.

He is most well known in astronomical circles as the editor of the Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy, and for his updates and work on the acclaimed classic Norton's Star Atlas.

Reviews

[Sarah Far]

برای کسانی که دوست دارند نجوم رو حرفه ایی دنبال کنند،این دست کتاب ها آغازگر کتابهای ستاره شناسی حرفه ایی هستند.

پوریا ناظمی،روزنامه نگار،مروج علم و منجم آماتوریست که در ایران بخصوص در برنامه «آسمان شب» در شبکه ۴ بسیار فعال بوده
پوریا ناظمی هم اکنون در کانادا، مشغول به روزنامه نگاری علمی‌ست.
وبگاه پوریا ناظمی، سایتی برای علاقمندان به این رشته است:
https://pourianazemi.com/

[Sairica]

The book that I own is published by Dorling Kindersley (DK): well known for its illustrated non-fiction books.

The author is well known as the 'Popularizer of Astronomy'. This book helps him with the same. The language is simple and the books doesn't fail to do justice in enlightening amateurs such as myself who have had the ill fortune of having never been properly introduced to this beautiful subject. The illustrations and the photographs are an absolute delight to look at. If you have ever been influenced by Carl Sagan and don't know how or where to start, then, this is a good book to lay your hands on.

The books is divided into Primarily three sections: History, The Universe and The Night Sky. The Content also, helps readers prepare for and guides them through the discipline of Astronomy and in doing that the book literally spoon feeds you.

In all it is concise, simple and very helpful. I would highly recommend it.

[Sandy Millin]

Fascinating, and very accessible. I like that it includes a history of astronomy as well as the basics of the science. The star charts are very clear and I went to find two new constellations as soon as I had finished the book.

[Matt TB]

Some great facts on the history of astronomy and more modern advances (although I think this is at least a decade old at present) and a really nice comprehensive guide for one wishing to pick up equipment and go star gazing.

[Sama Abd Al Majeed]

i can't love this book more ! it's way too valuable !!

[Jessi]

This book goes is really interesting and has beautiful full color pictures. it's not the most in depth Astronomy book ever, but it is certainly detailed enough for me. I initially rented it from the library, but I bought it for the star charts and calendar of events in the back.

[Daniela Betancourt]

Excelentes ilustraciones, fotografías, explicaciones y buen lenguaje científico para personas que desean adquirir conocimientos básicos sobre astronomía y observación. También habla del uso de equipo de observación como telescopios, binoculares y tamaños.

[Prashiie]

An interesting overview of various topics within Astronomy!

[Jung J]

É legal quando ele explica sobre os astros e o universo, mas o final são quase 150 páginas apenas mostrando constelações e um guia mensal do céu, o que não tem tanto peso de interesse para mim.

[Cade Salem]

I thought this book was good even though I'm not that interested in astronomy. It told me facts that I never knew about.

[Pete daPixie]

Ian Ridpath has been writing science and astronomy books for around forty years. I have a copy of his 1977 publication of 'Signs of Life'. Dorling Kindersley published this Eyewitness Companions book on 'Astronomy' in 2006. He has also produced the 'Stars and Planets Guide' for Collins and the 'Times Universe' for Times books as well as editing the 'Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy'. He has written or edited more than forty books on this subject.
I can understand readers of this book rating it up to five stars. DK always produce these quality pocket size guides. I suppose for those new to the subject, this is as good an introduction as any.
I just feel that these pocket sized all inclusive books should have been written some fourteen billion years back in time, when the Universe could perhaps have fitted snugly into the 8 x 5 inch frame.
After a brief introduction to the history of human fascination and exploration of the night sky, the following eighty pages zoom through the Universe like a proton along the Hadron collider. As a practicing amateur astronomer I found the Guide to the Constellations, some seventy pages, to be my main attraction.
With such a huge subject that is ever expanding, why not pay a little more and feast the eyes on the 'Cambridge Atlas of Astronomy'.

[Hyarrowen]

One of the best and clearest sky guides I've come across, and a beautiful book in its own right.

[Grace]

Wish I had remembered some more of the information inside this book.

[Jonathan Spencer]

I wanted a brief introduction to the basic facts of astronomy and was pleasantly surprised with this book's presentation of said facts. Good as a reference and a straight through read.

[Necoli]

Un bon guide pour les débutants en astronomie. Les cartes surtout sont utiles pour aider à observer étoiles et constellations.

[sarah]

The Universe. It's really big.

[Alayne]

A very good introduction to a wide and difficult subject :)