The Backyard Stargazer's Bible: Discover Constellations, Galaxies, Nebulae, Meteorites, and More - Hardcover

by Ian Ridpath (Author), Mary McIntyre (Author), Rachel Federman (Author)

A comprehensive and eye-catching resource for backyard stargazers of all levels packed with absolutely everything you need to follow the progress of constellations, night sky events, and celestial facts.

Foreword by Dr. Stephen Maran

A sumptuous aesthetic is paired with practical tips from experts on charting lunar phases and celestial events, notable astronomical anniversaries and facts, the best equipment for stargazing and particular events for your location complete with maps, and much more, packaged into a beautiful, illustrative gift book.

Never miss a night sky event wherever you are in the world, go meteor-spotting, and track phases of the moon, constellations, and planetary events. Discover Dark Sky Sites and what we can learn from reducing light pollution. Get to know the Moon's features and phases, constellations, comets, planetary bodies, eclipses, conjunctions, and more. Find out what you can see with the naked eye and the wider canvas of a telescope.

With The Backyard Stargazer's Bible, you'll embrace the magnificent splendor of the rich tapestry of the skies above.

Also available:
The Beekeeper's Bible
The Botanical Bible
The Backyard Birdwatcher's Bible
The Backyard Chicken Keeper's Bible

Author Biography

Dr. Stephen Maran is a senior advisor with the American Astronomical Society and a fellow of both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Royal Astronomical Society. He is an astronomer and author with 35 years experience at NASA, during which he was the assistant director of Space Science for Information and Outreach at the Goddard Space Flight Center. He is the author and editor of 12 books and over 100 popular articles on astronomy and space exploration, including Astronomy for Dummies (now in its fifth edition). Dr. Maran has been recognized with the NASA Medal for Exceptional Achievement and by the International Astronomical Union, which named Minor Planet 9768 Stephenmaran in his honor. He received the Astronomical Society of the Pacific's Klumpke-Roberts Award (1999) for outstanding contributions to the public understanding and appreciation of astronomy. And in 2008, the American Astronomical Society awarded him the George Van Biesbroeck Prize, which "honors a living individual for long-term extraordinary or unselfish service to astronomy." Dr. Maran is based in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Ian Ridpath is an internationally renowned writer on astronomy and space. He is editor of the authoritative Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy and author of a widely used series of night sky guides for beginners, including The Collins Stars and Planets Guide and Collins Gem Stars. Ridpath is the recipient of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific's Klumpke-Roberts Award for outstanding contributions to the public understanding and appreciation of astronomy. He is based in London, England.

Mary McIntyre is an astronomer, astrophotographer, artist, and author. With a life-long interest in astronomy, McIntyre is passionate about astronomy outreach and ensuring inclusion for all in the joy of stargazing. She has appeared on BBCTV's The Sky at Night and BBC Radio and is a cohost of Comet Watch on Astronomy FM radio and Space Oddities Live YouTube panel show. McIntyre is a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, a member of the British Astronomical Association, and is on the council of the Society for Popular Astronomy. In 2021, she was awarded the Sir Patrick Moore Prize by the British Astronomical Association for contributions to astronomy outreach. McIntyre is based near Oxford, England.

Rachel Federman is a writer, environmental activist, and nonprofit consultant who has written over 20 nonfiction books for adults and children, including The Mindful Gardener in conjunction with the New York Botanical Gardens, Mr. Roger's Neighborhood Activity Journal, Test Your Dog's IQ, and The Backyard Chicken-keeper's Bible. She lives in New York City.