Exploring the Night Sky - by Terence Dickinson (Paperback)

About the Book

Winner of the 1987 New York Academy of Sciences Children's Science Book Award, Exploring the Night Sky is aimed at novice star gazers anxious to expand their astronomical repertorie beyond the Big and Little Dippers. Dickinson has designed a superb introduction to astonomy that is clear, concise, and very "user friendly" no matter what the child's age. 50 color photographs and illustrations.

Book Synopsis

200,000 sold to date

Exploring the Night Sky is aimed at novice star gazers anxious to expand their astronomical repertoire beyond the Big and Little Dippers. Dickinson has designed a superb introduction to astronomy that is clear, concise, beautifully illustrated and very "user friendly" no matter what the child's age.

The book is divided into three sections. The first is a 10-step voyage from the Earth's vicinity to the distant reaches of the universe. Organized by increasing distance from the Earth, it touches on the Moon, Mars, Pluto, comets, the three stars of Alpha Centauri, the center of the Milky Way, the Large Magellanic Cloud, the Andromeda Galaxy, and vantage points at 10,000,000 light-years from Earth and 300,000,000 light-years from Earth.

The second section, "Alien Vistas," is a sequence of 10 close-up looks at some of the most interesting objects mentioned in the first section, including all the planets of the solar system, stars, black holes and quasars, and makes speculations about extraterrestrial life.

The final section is a guide to viewing the night sky, which enables readers to go outside on any clear night of the year and identify celestial objects. There is a glossary with explanations of unfamiliar terms and for pronunciations.

Exploring the Night Sky is a clearly written, well-illustrated introduction to astronomy for anyone interested in the universe around us.

Review Quotes

[A] great star-spotting reference.--Rebecca Rupp "Home Education Magazine" (6/1/2009 12:00:00 AM)

This excellent introduction to astronomy for the beginner, though aimed at young people, can be enjoyed by anyone. The first section deals with the universe at large and gives a very clear idea of the sizes and distances involved. The second section briefly describes the nine planets of our solar system as well as quasars and black holes. The final section, with excellent simplified star maps, introduces the reader to some of the better-known constellations visible in the northern U.S. and Canada. There is a combined index-glossary. This attractive paperback is profusely illustrated with drawings, stunning colour photographs and artists' renderings. Generally, there is one full-page illustration facing a page of text and smaller illustrations. Trying to explain the basics of astronomy in sixty pages is no mean feat; obviously, the reader is left with more questions than answers. However, this book serves as an excellent starting-point for the student or the amateur astronomer.--Ingrid von Hausen "Canadian Review of Materials" (3/1/1988 12:00:00 AM)

Well-illustrated, this book will help you recognize more than just the big dipper while stargazing.--Wendy Rayson-Kerr "Belleville Intelligencer" (8/7/2012 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Terence Dickinson, one of Canada's best-loved amateur-astronomy writers, gained renown for unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos. His down-to-earth style made him the award-winning best-selling author of 14 astronomy books, including NightWatch, The Backyard Astronomer's Guide, The Universe and Beyond and Hubble's Universe. The cofounder and former editor of SkyNews, Canada's national astronomy magazine, Dickinson was a recipient of the Order of Canada and two honorary doctorates. He died of complications from Parkinson's on February 1, 2023.