Sky Phenomena: A Guide to Naked-Eye Observation of the Stars

Sky Phenomena leads the student/reader from the stars as seen from earth, through the sun, moon, and planets, to the Copernican revolution, comets and meteors, and the Southern Hemisphere sky. The text includes mythological and historical aspects of the subject and has numerous exercises for the student. The final chapter is a unique collection of poetry related to the stars from ancient India to modern times. Appendices include future astronomical events, technical data, materials and publications, and a comprehensive glossary of astronomical terms.

Sky Phenomena is an unusual and practical guide to the sky as we see it-with the naked eye. The author leads us from the appearance of the stars as seen from Earth, through the Sun, Moon, and planets, to a deeper understanding of the Copernican revolution, comets, and meteors.

The text includes mythological and historical aspects of the subject, as well as numerous exercises for students, including an account of the Southern Hemisphere.

The final chapter contains a unique collection of poetry about the stars, from ancient India to modern times. There are also appendices dealing with future astronimical events, technical data, materials and publications, and a comprehensive glossary of astronimical terms.

Davidson tells us, "The purpose of this book is to help people take up a conscious study of what is our greater environment-the turning sky." Only when we have grasped the laws and principles behind the movements of the stars can there grow the enthusiasm and desire needed to observe more and observe more deeply.