The total skywatcher's manual 275+ skills and tricks for exploring stars, planets & beyond

Published by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, an organization with more than 125 years of experience, this manual will benefit astronomers at any level of expertise. Sturdy and portable, the guide consists of 298 useful tips organized into three categories: naked-eye astronomy, telescopes and other tools, and advanced techniques. The first group instructs users on creative ways to locate specific stars, constellations, and planets, such as skyhopping, the method of using known stars to find other celestial objects. It also includes numerous charts and helpful tools that can be constructed out of simple materials. The second section provides guidance on using telescopes and binoculars and how to properly care for them. With the right equipment, amateur astronomers can see the surface features of the moon, the rings of Saturn, distant nebulas and galaxies, and much more. The third category covers information about the world's greatest observatories, deep-space discoveries, such as the Hand of God Nebula, and the search for extraterrestrial life. Enhanced by gorgeous photos and colorful diagrams, this excellent volume will encourage users to "engage with and appreciate the extraordinary laboratory unfolding" above them. VERDICT Highly recommended for persons interested in exploring and gaining knowledge about the night sky. Science teachers will also find it a useful classroom resource. © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

TIP 38: ORIENT YOURSELF WITH A GNOMON   If you've never tracked the Sun during the course of a day, it can be, well, illuminating! The next time it's sunny out, use this method to find north (or south in the southern hemisphere).   STEP ONE Start early and place a vertical stick on a large flat spot that will stay in sunlight all day. This is called a gnomon. A yardstick in a can of dirt, or a (clean!) plunger, will work. Mark its spot in case it moves.   STEP TWO Mark the line of the plunger's shadow in chalk or place a stone at the tip of the shadow. You can also write the time.   STEP THREE Make this same observation as often as possible, especially in the middle of the day. Every 30 minutes is ideal.   STEP FOUR Find the shortest shadow marking or the stone closest to the gnomon. That line represents when the Sun was highest in the sky--midday (it can be as late as 1:30 PM during daylight saving time). It is also the point when the Sun was southernmost in the northern sky, or northernmost in the southern sky.   STEP FIVE Draw a line between the plunger and the tip of the shortest shadow. This line points directly north in the northern hemisphere or south in the southern hemisphere. With a compass (or compass app), see for yourself the difference between true north, which you just found, and magnetic north. Excerpted from The Total Skywatcher's Manual: 300+ Tips on Skills, Projects, and Gear for Exploring the Night Sky by Astronomical Society Astronomical Society of the Pacific All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.