Celestial Sites, Celestial Splendors

Have you ever gazed at the night sky and wondered about the celestial objects you see? Are you able to identify them? Now, with the help of this extraordinary new volume, you'll be able to name the objects you are viewing. Part guidebook, part photo album, Celestial Sites, Celestial Splendors comprises a fascinating panorama of the universe, from nearby planets, meteors and comets, to distant stars, galaxies and nebulae. The book provides a comprehensive guide to viewing these objects through simple instruments, such as binoculars or a small telescope, and sometimes even the naked eye. Detailing more than a hundred wonders of the night sky, Hervé Burillier clearly outlines each object's location and discusses discovery and optimal observation times. He also passes along a wealth of practical, and very specific, advice on the best observational techniques and the best choice of accessories to use with amateur telescopes. Over 150 photographs, nearly 60 in full-color, portray the full splendor of the night sky and illustrate how each object appears when seen through telescopes, both amateur and larger. Accessible and replete with beautiful photography, this book is the ultimate reference for all amateur astronomers and indeed anyone interested in the night sky. Prior to opening his own bookshop, Hervé Burillier was responsible for managing the largest astronomy bookshop of its kind in France. He is a 1991 Fondation de France prizewinner for his work on variable stars and was decorated by the Sociéte Astronomique de France in 1994.