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Collins Astronomy
Observing Our Solar System: A Beginner’s Guide
Study the ever-changing face of the Moon, watch the steady march of the planets against the stars, witness the thrill of a meteor shower, or the memory of a once-in-a-generation comet.
The sights in our Solar System are dynamic reminders of our planet's position as part of a larger neighborhood. Study the ever-changing face of the Moon, watch the steady march of the planets against the stars, witness the thrill of a meteor shower, or the memory of a once-in-a-generation comet. In a few short generations, scientists have taken us from wondering about the nature of the Solar System to exploring every corner of it with advanced robotic probes, and inexpensive but powerful telescopes have become ubiquitous, allowing all of us to follow in the footsteps of Galileo as explorers. In this guide, you will learn how the Solar System came to be understood – from ancient theories of its mechanics to the modern age of remote sensing, We'll then look at the significant targets for amateur astronomers – the Moon, Sun and planets – to see how they can be explored by eye and with telescopes. We'll discuss some of the more obscure but fascinating worlds, including asteroids and dwarf planets, and dazzling special events, such as meteor showers, conjunctions, occultations and eclipses.
The sights in our Solar System are dynamic reminders of our planet's position as part of a larger neighborhood. Study the ever-changing face of the Moon, watch the steady march of the planets against the stars, witness the thrill of a meteor shower, or the memory of a once-in-a-generation comet. In a few short generations, scientists have taken us from wondering about the nature of the Solar System to exploring every corner of it with advanced robotic probes, and inexpensive but powerful telescopes have become ubiquitous, allowing all of us to follow in the footsteps of Galileo as explorers. In this guide, you will learn how the Solar System came to be understood – from ancient theories of its mechanics to the modern age of remote sensing, We'll then look at the significant targets for amateur astronomers – the Moon, Sun and planets – to see how they can be explored by eye and with telescopes. We'll discuss some of the more obscure but fascinating worlds, including asteroids and dwarf planets, and dazzling special events, such as meteor showers, conjunctions, occultations and eclipses.
- GenresNonfictionAstronomy
112 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2023
9 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Tom Kerss
18 books12 followersTom Kerss F.R.A.S. is an astronomer and the author of numerous best selling books about the night sky for both adults and children. Having worked at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich for more than six years, he now shares his passion for the stars with people all over the world, delivering courses, podcasts and media interviews. Tom loves nothing more than to seek out the darkest and most beautiful skies on Earth, but he does most of his stargazing from his home in London. Find out more about Tom's projects at
tomkerss.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 22, 2022
This book very much does what it says in the title, provides information all about the solar system, what you can see and what it all means. I really enjoyed this as while the book does tackle the basics it at no point is patronising or condescending. The author’s enthusiasm shines through throughout the pages and it cannot help but be infectious. Information on what you can see in the sky, about the planets, human history of learning about the solar system and apps, programmes, telescopes and camera skills for observation are all covered. What I especially enjoyed while reading this was the finer details. The author explains the origins of words and thoughts, shows how various mathematics are worked out and explains rather than just tells. I can’t wait for winter now and darker nights to put what I’ve learned from this book into practice!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 29, 2022
This is a handy little book to use for discovering how to start looking at5 the stars and our solar system. I am interested in the stars and can identify the basic one in the night sky. I am lucky to live in a rural location so I have a better view without any light pollution. While I know a few constellations there is a huge amount I am completely in the dark about.
The book can be used as a reference guide as to the basics you can see with the naked eye and then onto more complex instruments such as computer-guided scopes. I have a simple telescope that allows me to look at the surface of the moon and I can see and identify some of the craters and mountains. Further afield my poor little telescope does not really give me the ability to focus on specific objects.
If you have the time and money to spend on more technical or more advanced equipment then this book is really good to use as it does go into the basics for that sort of thing.
I really liked the section on the apps that you can download and use either just on your phone or in conjunction with your phone and a computer. These are great to use as you can identify what is where and therefore become more familiar.
I did like this book and if money wasn't so much of an issue I can see it as being a great start to building my own home observatory. For me, this is a book that has its limits unless, of course, I win the lottery!
It has a good amount of detail, and some wonderful advice and is great to use in an educational and reference capacity. I would happily recommend this.
The book can be used as a reference guide as to the basics you can see with the naked eye and then onto more complex instruments such as computer-guided scopes. I have a simple telescope that allows me to look at the surface of the moon and I can see and identify some of the craters and mountains. Further afield my poor little telescope does not really give me the ability to focus on specific objects.
If you have the time and money to spend on more technical or more advanced equipment then this book is really good to use as it does go into the basics for that sort of thing.
I really liked the section on the apps that you can download and use either just on your phone or in conjunction with your phone and a computer. These are great to use as you can identify what is where and therefore become more familiar.
I did like this book and if money wasn't so much of an issue I can see it as being a great start to building my own home observatory. For me, this is a book that has its limits unless, of course, I win the lottery!
It has a good amount of detail, and some wonderful advice and is great to use in an educational and reference capacity. I would happily recommend this.
December 30, 2022
A very nifty little book - really enjoyed it.
It provides a lot of information about the solar system but without all the jargon and babble that can often make it complicated but that's not what it really makes it the best.
The book talks about the types of equipment you can buy if you want more advanced instruments and it gives advice for the basic types that can be purchased.
The way the author writes makes it really enjoyable, it's almost an infectious way of writing, it's like talking and learning with an old friend. It feels a bit like it's broken down in to manageable chunks of reading to me and that makes it more accessible for me.
We live high up and can see quite a lot on a clear night, it really is a good book and I'll definitely be purchasing this for the shelf!
With thank to Tom Kerss, the publishers and Netgalley for this FREE ARC in return for my review!
It provides a lot of information about the solar system but without all the jargon and babble that can often make it complicated but that's not what it really makes it the best.
The book talks about the types of equipment you can buy if you want more advanced instruments and it gives advice for the basic types that can be purchased.
The way the author writes makes it really enjoyable, it's almost an infectious way of writing, it's like talking and learning with an old friend. It feels a bit like it's broken down in to manageable chunks of reading to me and that makes it more accessible for me.
We live high up and can see quite a lot on a clear night, it really is a good book and I'll definitely be purchasing this for the shelf!
With thank to Tom Kerss, the publishers and Netgalley for this FREE ARC in return for my review!
November 12, 2022
What an absolutely fasinating book!
It covers the history of those who made discoveries, observations and inventions. It includes sections on how to observe our night sky, the different types of telescopes and some of the software that is available to download to your computer. The photographs within the book are also interesting to look at.
It gives you information on all the planets and their features, how the planets orbit in our solar system and other phenoma to see such as comets, meteor showers and conjunctions.
If you are looking to photograph the night sky, there is also a section in this book that covers this.
I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.
It covers the history of those who made discoveries, observations and inventions. It includes sections on how to observe our night sky, the different types of telescopes and some of the software that is available to download to your computer. The photographs within the book are also interesting to look at.
It gives you information on all the planets and their features, how the planets orbit in our solar system and other phenoma to see such as comets, meteor showers and conjunctions.
If you are looking to photograph the night sky, there is also a section in this book that covers this.
I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.
February 9, 2023
This is definitely for all you astronomy buffs out there, it's a great tool explaining ways of stargazing with binoculars to telescopes and everything between.
This is one I'll go back to repeatedly for a long time.
Highly recommended.
This is one I'll go back to repeatedly for a long time.
Highly recommended.
June 25, 2023
This is a very helpful all-in-one guide to buying and setting up telescopes/binoculars, watching the planets and finally colour-correcting the photographs. It is an excellent book for amateur astronomers who are unsure whether to buy a telescope or a 50mm (or more) binocular for stargazing. I will certainly buy this book once it is published.
Thank you, Netgalley, for providing me with a free copy.
Thank you, Netgalley, for providing me with a free copy.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews