The Sky at Night: How to Read the Solar System

by Chris North, Paul Abel, Brian May (Foreword)

From the front-inside dustwrapper:

“We've all learned the basics of our Solar System at school – but how much can you remember? In “How To Read The Solar System”, co-presenters of The Sky at Night Chris North and Paul Abel take a fascinating tour of the stars and planets to reveal their wonders, and show how anyone can view and interpret them.

It’s an epic story, with a colourful cast of characters, from blazing gas giants and wandering stars to distant dwarf planets and icy moons. The authors examine both the mythology that once influenced astronomy and the latest scientific discoveries that help us to understand the night sky better.

With a foreword by fellow astronomer and regular of Sky at Night guest Brian May, this is an indispensable guide to our Solar System and the Universe beyond. ”

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Space, Astronomy

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2013

Reviews

[Meghana Rastogi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is an interesting read, especially for the beginners at the stargazing. The book contains all the relevant information regarding the stars and planets. In addition, the book includes scientific discoveries related to different planets and their moons. Overall the book guides you through the solar system.

[Binesh G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, simple book about each of the planets in our solar system and what we know about them through the various explorations so far.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book if a little dated.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

For anyone who loves the solar system and wants tips and tricks on how to view planets for yourself, this is the book for you. Though there may be at little too much information to take in all at once. I found that when reading this book I was bomb-barded with information and required breaks between sessions. I also found that towards the end the book became slow and repetitive- though this may have been due to my lack of enthusiasm when the section about Pluto came to a close or the general lack of knowledge about the outer planets of our solar system.
That all said there were many chapters that I did enjoy and I most defiantly learnt a lot. The writing style of the book made it very easy to follow and understand, without the authors undermining the reader. This along with the chaptering of the book made all the information easy to find.
Though my most favourite part of this book was the forward by Brain May (the lead guitarist of Queen). It was amazing to see such a amazing musician's own thoughts and ideas about astronomy- especially as I am, myself, such a huge fan of Queen.
All in all this book was very informative and certainly didn't claim to know all the answers, combining both philosophy and mythology behind the solar system to create a better understanding of the advances made in science.

[John Morse-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book - extremely accessible and a wonderful eye on the sky. Even from Birmingham...

[Gordon Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a text book. Well written I guess but rather dull. I read it from cover to cover and found the "weight" of the book just right for me.