Star Maps for Beginners: 50th Anniversary Edition

I bought my first copy of this book in 1959 while on an eighth grade field trip at Chicago's Adler Planetarium. It cost less than $2.It was far and away the best guide for learning the constellations and their bright stars. The "Maltese Cross" map projection was an ingenious method for displaying the constellations with minimal distortion. Descriptions of the ancient myths associated with the constellations was an added plus. I treasured my old copy which eventually became quite ragged and then was lost in a move.Presented here is a 1992 edition of the originally 1942 book. The data for location of the planets only extends to 1997, which is hardly the fault of the 1992 publisher. Nowadays information about the current locations of the planets among the constellations can be found on the internet which was not widely in use back then.My reason for again buying a copy of this book was nostalgic. But if you or your kids want to easily learn how to identify the constellations and bright stars, this should be your first choice. I'm so pleased that my home library once again contains this marvelous book.

I will have to buy more copies of this very simply printed pamphlet which offers seasonal maps of the major constellations. For those like myself who learned to find Orion and the Big Dipper when they were kids and stopped there, this is a handy map book for a clear night. Handy as in answering the vivid questions of children. Or handy as in comprehending the guidelines for navigation and where Orion hunts at different times of the year. Or handy as in understanding how Greeks implanted their mythology in the heavens. Its unlikely I'll progress past "beginner" but with my Star Map in hand I hope to inspire the next generation to Name that Star. There is no thrill quite like getting a call from a friend or offspring asking if you can see Ursa Major from your front porch. Enjoy. Read Ray Bradbury and visit your local observatory.

This a excellent book to buy if you are just starting to look at the sky at night. It has monthly maps and descriptions of what you will see in the United States. It also has some extra's like how to see comets, meteor showers. It also describes constellations and what month they appear. This book can be used with a small telescope, binoculars and the naked eye.

I found this a little to difficult for my seven year old grandson on his own, I worked with him and his telescope to get him on track and he really likes using it. I would recommend it for kids a little older perhaps 10 or more.

I originally bought this for my great grandchildren, ages 7 to 13. I though it was too advanced and was thrilled to find "A child's Introduction to the Night Sky" for them. I did find someone to give it too and she was thrilled with it.

A great book for the beginning stargazer. We have used them several times and they were very informative because of their monthly breakdown of the star charts.

When you compare this book to the 2-sided PLANISPHERE,the book is almost useless.Go with a planisphere and or a software such as "Galileo Planetarium",(Complete Guide TO The Cosmos Ver.1.8).A planisphere will track by the month and the hour.A software will include the planets.New comers should be careful to order a planisphere within the latitude of their location.I myself would not have bought this book if I had fliped through it in a book store.I expected more.The knowledge is better than nothing,but you can do much better.

Very good for beginners looking toward the sky. Has some very good info.

I've tried loads of things - rotating discs, telescope thing with star map inside, all kinds of books. But this is the simplest and clearest. Some of the details and stories are a bit bizarre, but some good nuggets in there too, but the main thing is the cross-shaped maps, which are brilliant.

Vg

Not really very relevant to my state of ignorance. So for the absolute tyro other really basic information is essential.

I was dissatisfied with this book. First of all there are no maps for southern region. The maps are for latitude of USA. Secondly the maps present are not detailed enough even for beginners. Thirdly the planetary positions are grossly out of date. I won't recommend the book to anyone unless you want it for the nostalgia.

The constellation identification part is great however the information on the planets, cosmos etc is 1980's era data and of course out of date. Some is accurate and some not so take it with a grain of salt.