Author(s): Heather Couper

SCIENCE & NATURE

Philip's Stargazing 2013 is a concise guide to the northern night sky, helping starwatchers to see the year's most fascinating events, whether observing with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope. The guide is suitable for use between latitudes 40N and 60N, including Britain and Ireland, Europe as far south as Rome, and Canada and the northern USA as far south as Philadelphia. Each chapter (one for each month of the year) has a colour star map, created by Wil Tirion, showing the positions and phases of the Moon, the positions of the planets, and other useful information. Each month also includes a constellation described in detail; special events during the month, such as eclipses; a featured astronomical object, usually a deep-sky target; plus an astrophotograph, with details of how it was taken. The Solar System Almanac explains the movement of the planets, with particular attention paid to their positions in 2013. Solar and lunar eclipses, meteor showers and comets are also described. Exploring the Deep Sky provides a list of recommended deep-sky objects.
The observer can use the monthly charts to discover which constellations are on view, and then use this information to plan deep-sky observing. The book concludes with an Equipment Review. Here Robin Scagell, author of Philip's Stargazing with a Telescope, provides a round-up of what's new in observing technology, from the latest brands of telescope to the best webcams.