Thebookyouareholdinginyourhandsisoneofthebestlearningandoutreach tools you could want for your collection. The Night Sky Companion is full of informationaboutastronomy.Thinkofhowmanytimesyouhavewalkedoutside, lookedatthestarsandwonderedwhatnewthingsyoucouldexplore.Maybeyou areabeginnerandyouwanttolearnthebasicsofstargazing,orperhapsyoüre a seasoned sky veteran. Either way, I bet you will see and learn something new each night. I have used Tammy Plotner¿s previous books to help plan my outreach programs. Not only do they tell you what you can see in the night sky, just as this book does, but they also explain some of the history and science which has brought us to this point. You will quickly realize astronomy is what you make it. It can be extremely challenging or very relaxing: it¿s up to you to decide. With this book, you can use telescope or binoculars of any size¿or just kick back under the Milky Way and enjoy the view. It will be your ¿companion¿ to help you discover our galaxy. Picture yourself enjoying a warm August night watching the Perseid meteor shower, or seeing the Harvest Moon rise. While the spring holds the promise of bright planets and distant galaxies, there is somethingtobesaidaboutthoselong,coldwintereveningstoo!Youcanspend hoursobservingandstillgettobedbeforemidnight.Witheachchangingseason, with every constellation wheeling overhead, Tammy will show you the best of the night sky. ThewealthofinformationhereabouttheMoonwillamazeyou.Waituntilyou point a telescope its way and find a specific crater. Suddenly, the lunar terrain takes on a new look. It has a stark beauty which will keep you coming back. ix OhioAurorainMay(Credit¿TerryMann). Foreword xi Both beginning and advanced amateur astronomers will enjoy this book.

The Night Sky Companion offers a guide to what can be explored on a nightly basis. Designed to appeal to readers at all skill levels and involvement, it provides a digest for sky watchers interested in all-in-one-place information that includes history, current events, and of course interesting objects to be observed on any given day. It provides unaided eye observers an opportunity to view many objects or events as well as learn about their history, science and how just "looking up" can be rewarding. Binocular and small telescope users will find a wealth of objects to view using simple star hop instructions and finder charts. Large-aperture telescope users looking for a challenge are not ignored either: some of the finest deep-sky objects are detailed, with finder maps and photographs, most of them taken by talented amateurs.

January, 2008.- February, 2008.- March, 2008.- April, 2008.- May, 2008.- June, 2008.- July, 2008.- August, 2008.- September, 2008.- October, 2008.- November, 2008.- December, 2008.