Backyard Guide To The Night Sky by Andrew Fazekas

Backyard Guide To The Night Sky by Andrew Fazekas

Published March 2019 by National Geographic

Source: my copy courtesy of the publisher, through TLC Book Tours, in exchange for an honest review

Publisher's Summary:

Explore the star-studded cosmos with this fully updated, user-friendly skywatcher's guide, filled with charts, graphics, photographs, and expert tips for viewing -- and understanding -- the wonders of space. 

Stargazing's too much fun to leave to astronomers. In these inviting pages, "Night Sky Guy" Andrew Fazekas takes an expert but easygoing approach that will delight would-be astronomers of all levels. Essential information, organized logically, brings the solar system, stars, and planets to life in your own backyard. Start with the easiest constellations and then "star-hop" across the night sky to find others nearby. Learn about the dark side of the moon, how to pick Mars out of a planetary lineup, and which kinds of stars twinkle in your favorite constellations. Hands-on tips and techniques for observing with the naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope help make the most out of sightings and astronomical phenomena such as eclipses and meteor showers. Photographs and graphics present key facts in an easy-to-understand format, explaining heavenly phenomena such as black holes, solar flares, and supernovas. Revised to make skywatching even easier for the whole family, this indispensable guide shines light on the night sky--truly one of the greatest shows on Earth!

My Thoughts:

My hubby accepted everyone's discarded National Geographic magazines and subscribed to it for years. Recently I convinced him it was time to get rid of the several hundred copies we've been storing. But the problem is that we can't just throw them away - they are just too high quality to just put in the trash so I'm working now to find a new home for them where they will be appreciated. 

National Geographic brings that same high quality to the books they publish. When I post reviews on Netgalley, they always ask "Would you buy this book for yourself or a friend?" The answer with this book is a resounding "yes," as it has been for all of the National Geographic books we've been reviewing this year. The photography is, as expected, spectacular, they are packed full of information, written so that they are accessible to most ages. They make terrific resource books that make readers want to learn more. 

Backyard Guide To The Night Sky covers much more than the expected sun, moon, and planets. Chapters include The Atmosphere, Comets and Meteors, Beyond The Solar System, and Beyond The Milky Way. It also teaches readers how to navigate the night sky and provides sky charts. I'm pretty stoked that this book has finally convinced my husband to pull the telescope he bought at least 15 years ago out of the basement! We're looking forward to trying it out this weekend and using the sky charts. According to the spring chart, we should be able to find Ursa Minor and Virgo. As I'm just finishing Andy Weir's latest book set in space, this book is the perfect nonfiction accompaniment to that. 

I really can't recommend these books for your family highly enough. This book, in particular, would make a great book for families - a wonderful learning tool for young people and an aide to an activity that the entire family can enjoy together. 

Thanks to the ladies of TLC Book Tours for including me on this tour. For other reviews, check out the full tour.