A field guide to the stars and planets by…

A field guide to the stars and planets (original 1964; edition 1983)

by Donald Howard Menzel

Series: Peterson Field Guides (15)

Members	Reviews	Popularity	Average rating	Mentions
1,452	8	12,649	(4.09)	5
The fourth edition of this best-selling field guide has been completely revised and updated to include the latest information from leading astronomical sources. All the time-sensitive material is new and valid through 2017: solar eclipses, phases of the moon, positions of the planets, and more. Twenty-four Monthly Sky Maps, all newly revised and in color, show exactly what you'll see when facing north or south in the night sky. Fifty-two Atlas Charts, also revised and in color, cover the entire sky, including close-ups of areas of special interest such as the Pleiades and the Orion Nebula. The hundreds of thousands of devoted users of the previous editions of this guide have been eagerly awaiting this new volume so they can continue to enjoy their hobby in the coming decades.… (more)

▾Book information

Member:	an_eternalstudent
Title:	A field guide to the stars and planets
Authors:	Donald Howard Menzel
Info:	Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1983. x, 473 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 20 cm. 2nd ed., completely rev. and enl
Collections:	Your library
Rating:
Tags:	nature, astronomy

Work Information

Stars and Planets by Jay M. Pasachoff (1964)

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I kept the rating at a 5. It was a 5 when I bought it. I discovered I have a newer editioin, but will keep this edition for the illustrations. (

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haikupatriot | Nov 20, 2015 |

A keeper, great info. NOTE: Cover says "UP TO DATE THROUGH 2010"
Found out today that I have an earlier edition of this book. Plan to keep earlier edition. (

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haikupatriot | Nov 20, 2015 |

If you're looking for plot and twists - don't pick this book up, you will be vastly disappointed.
It contains several star maps and constellation guides, each section has a nice write-up of the particular object being discussed -
While it doesn't really go into the history of how any particular object gained it's name, this guide does tell you how the stars are oriented in each of the objects named.
If you are looking for plot and excitment, skip this one. If you are looking for some solid information and help to identify the things you stare at each night - give this little gem a try. (well, not so little..463 pages of fine print packed with inf) (

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dragonasbreath | Dec 2, 2010 |

This was my favourite astronomy text book. Full of useful information, star charts, photographic plates and everything else a young amateur astronomer would need. My copy is well travelled and well thumbed. (

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sirfurboy | Apr 23, 2009 |

This book has a lot of detail and is an excellent reference work, but it is too small for actual field work. I prefer beginner astronomy guides like NightWatch by Terence Dickinson. However, it is an excellent help for learning constellations and approximately where they are. (

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visionary_damsel | Jan 18, 2009 |

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▾Other authors

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Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Jay M. Pasachoff	—	primary author	all editions	calculated
Menzel, Donald H	Author	main author	all editions	confirmed
Pasachoff, Jay M.	—	main author	all editions	confirmed

▾Series and work relationships

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Peterson Field Guides (15)

▾Awards and Honors

Distinctions

SB&F Best Science Books for Junior High and High School Readers (2000)

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Canonical title

Stars and Planets

Original title

Stars and Planets

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Original publication date

1964

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Editor's Note: Although we expect never to publish a guide to the creatures of outer space, it is inevitable that the Field Guide Series should include this volume on recognition of the stars and planets.

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▾Book descriptions

The fourth edition of this best-selling field guide has been completely revised and updated to include the latest information from leading astronomical sources. All the time-sensitive material is new and valid through 2017: solar eclipses, phases of the moon, positions of the planets, and more. Twenty-four Monthly Sky Maps, all newly revised and in color, show exactly what you'll see when facing north or south in the night sky. Fifty-two Atlas Charts, also revised and in color, cover the entire sky, including close-ups of areas of special interest such as the Pleiades and the Orion Nebula. The hundreds of thousands of devoted users of the previous editions of this guide have been eagerly awaiting this new volume so they can continue to enjoy their hobby in the coming decades.

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From the back:

For more than 50 years, the Peterson Field Guides have set the standard for excellence. THE unique Peterson Identification System has never been surpassed as a tool for field identification and has led millions to a better understanding of the natural world., With over 35 guides, the Peterson Series is also by far the most complete.

A FIELD GUIDE TO THE STARS AND PLANETS

Brief introductory tours of the nighttime sky

72 monthly Sky Maps, for observers in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

52 detailed Atlas Charts of the entire sky, with descriptions of the objects you can see in each region.

Maps of the moon's surface (including the far side)

Special timetables showing when the brightest stars, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and planets are visible

Over 230 photographs - 82 in color - of the most interesting objects in the sky

Tables of double and variable stars and other useful inforamiotn for amateur astronomers

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