Table of Contents

Section IIntroduction 6The star charts 21Northern and southern hemisphere skies 22Monthly skies throughout the year 26The 88 constellations: Andromeda to Vulpecula 74Section IIStars and nebulae 267Double and multiple stars 282Variable stars 284Milky Way, galaxies and the Universe 289The Sun 298The Solar System 304The Moon 308Moon maps 319Eclipses of the Sun and Moon 340Mercury 344Venus 348Mars 353Jupiter 362Saturn 368Uranus, Neptune and beyond 373Comets and meteors 377Asteroids and meteorites 381Astronomical instruments and observing 383Index 39

About the Author

Ian Ridpath is the author or editor of many books, including the Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy and Norton's Star Atlas. Wil Tirion is the world's leading celestial mapmaker and the illustrator of many books, including The Cambridge Star Atlas.

Reviews

"The handy size, copious illustrations, maps and charts, as well as the latest in astrophotography throughout ... practically beg[s] astronomers to take [Stars and Planets] along to star parties."--Astronomy "This marvelously dense field guide tells you everything you need to know to find your way around the sky, whether you are an eager novice who is just looking around or a serious observer using binoculars or a telescope."--Discover "[A] rich resource for advanced amateurs, but novices will also like the star charts (both Northern and Southern hemispheres) and abundant explanatory text detailing each of the 88 constellations and the stars within them, as well as the sun, moon, planets, and Milky Way."--Library Journal "Though I'm not in a position to assess the title's proclamation of being the most complete guide, I will say that it is the best one that I've read. With Ian Ridpath's text and Wil Tirion's illustrations, the Princeton Field Guides Stars & Planets is a wonderful guide to the stars, planets, galaxies, and our own solar system. It will help in getting that elusive target into the finder and onto the eagerly awaiting eye."--Mark Mortimer, Universe Today Praise for previous editions: "For those who gaze at the night sky, seeking the familiar patterns known to sailors and shepherds, this field guide will be an invaluable companion."--Bruce E. Fleury, Science Books & Films Praise for previous editions: "This marvelously dense field guide tells you everything you need to know to find your way around the sky, whether you are an eager novice who is just looking around or a serious observer using binoculars or a telescope."--Discover Praise for previous editions: "[A] first-class pocket field guide to the sky... The charts, by Wil Tirion, are what we would expect of this master of celestial cartography; they are uncluttered, easy to read, and compress many (but not too many!) objects in a small space... [A] very nicely produced book."--John Mosley, Planetarian Praise for previous editions: "The handy size, copious illustrations, maps, and charts, as well as the latest in astrophotography throughout ... practically beg[s] astronomers to take [Stars and Planets] along to star parties."--Astronomy Praise for previous editions: "Comprehensive yet compact... this beautiful guide is suitable for amateurs and novices as well as stargazers more acquainted with navigating their night skies."--Irene Wanner, Seattle Times Praise for previous editions: "[A] rich resource for advanced amateurs, but novices will also like the star charts (both Northern and Southern hemispheres) and abundant explanatory text detailing each of the 88 constellations and the stars within them, as well as the sun, moon, planets, and Milky Way."--Library Journal Praise for previous editions: "Ridpath and Tirion are an unbeatable team. Ridpath writes concisely and movingly about the sky, and Tirion's charts are beautifully done and easy to follow. This is a superb guide to the night sky."--David H. Levy, codiscoverer of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet Praise for previous editions: "A concise and beautifully illustrated guide to the sky's best sights, and to the science behind them."--Mitchell Begelman, author of Turn Right at Orion: Travels through the Cosmos