Stars and planets - Ian Ridpath

Now in its third edition, Collins Pocket Guide Stars and Planets has been fully revised and updated, with all new charts and photographs, making it the most practical and comprehensive guide available to the sky at night.

Collins Pocket Guide Stars and Planets guides the amateur astronomer to the most splendid celestial sights, all visible with the use of binoculars or an average-sized telescope. Now in its third edition, the book has been fully revised and updated in the light of recent developments, making it the most practical and comprehensive guide available to the sky at night.
The book features monthly sky maps of the northern and southern hemispheres to enable recognition of constellations and bright stars from various latitudes throughout the year; descriptions of all the constellations and their stars opposite a specially prepared chart showing the constellation in relation to the surrounding skies; and detailed information on stars, nebulae, galaxies, the Moon and the Solar System. In addition to the charts and diagrams, the text is accompanied by many colour photographs. Finally, there is a section giving practical advice on choosing and using binoculars and telescopes.