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About the Author

Andrew Fazekas, the Night Sky Guy, writes about space and stargazing for National Geographic. He has been a science writer, speaker, and educator for 25 years, sharing the wonders of the universe through books, radio, and television.

Works by Andrew Fazekas

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It is time to start star gazing as warmer weather approaches in my location and the 2nd edition of the National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Night Sky by Andrew Fazekas and Howard Schneider is a very highl recommended perfect companion to this pursuit. This updated guide is user friendly and well organized to aide the novice in learning about the night time sky. (Since my current guide was a much earlier edition, any update is an improvement because of the many advances in telescopes, photography, and knowledge.)

The National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Night Sky, 2nd Edition, is well organized, especially for educational purposes. It starts with the basics and gives the reader simple tasks, studying the phases of the moon, tracking the motion of the stars and planets over weeks, and learning to recognize some of the brightest constellations. This sets a foundation for future sky watching. There is also a wonderful opening illustration on Sizing up the Galaxy, which will help set the scope of the nighttime sky. Take note of the use of your hand to find your way while observing the sky. This is a great idea for beginners, especially children. Even more than that, before we even get into space, there is information on our atmosphere and tricks of light that many people have observed, like a green flash, light pillars, halos, sundogs, auroras, noctilucent clouds, and sprites, for example. There are techniques presented for making the most of viewing eclipses and meteor showers. Then there is information about the more esoteric phenomena such as black holes and supernovas.

Chapters are logically organized into: Discovering Starry Skies; The Atmosphere; The Sun; The Moon; The Planets; Comets & Meteors; Beyond The Solar System; Beyond The Milky Way; Navigating The Night Sky; Sky Charts; Viewing The Naked-Eye Planets; Further Resources and an index. Since it is a National Geographic guide, expect beautiful photographs and illustrations, charts and graphics. There are also a plethora of tips and techniques to assist in viewing the night sky with your naked eyes, binoculars, or a telescope. Since we are closely related to someone who lives out away from light pollution and has the perfect place for viewing the night sky, this is going to be a well used guide.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of National Geographic in exchange for my honest opinion for TLC Book Tours.
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SheTreadsSoftly | 1 other review | Apr 21, 2021 |
Celebrating STAR TREK’s fiftieth anniversary, National Geographic looks at the real science from the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Photographs from the show as well as diagrams, illustrations, and photographs of the real science of the universe supplement the informative narrative. Readers will learn how the science of the show aligns with real science as they explore the solar system, stars, nebulae, exoplanets, and much, much more.

In the pages of this book, readers will explore the solar system, deep space, aliens, the birth and death of stars, the distances between galaxies, and much, much more. Full-color illustrations and photographs supplement the narrative in each section and each chapter includes a stargazing component. Night Sky Charts are included as are episode guides for the STAR TREK series.

Stargazers, science fiction fans, fans of the series, and those interested in exploring the universe will find it difficult to set this book aside.

Highly recommended.
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jfe16 | 1 other review | Nov 29, 2019 |
Nice balance between science and fiction.

Fazekas does a great job interlacing material from the whole range of Trek history with a wealth of astronomy. Along the way he points out all the ways we have (or haven't) achieved Trek technology.

Even better, amid the wealth of beautiful astronomical images, there are many tutorials on how to discover the wonders of the stars, with careful instruction on how, when and where to look into the glories of the night sky.
 
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mrklingon | 1 other review | Apr 22, 2019 |
Ever since I can remember I could look up at the sky and see the patterns in the stars. While I didn’t always know what constellation I was seeing, I could always pick them out. As I got older I learned to identify several, starting with Orion. I now have put names to many of those star groupings I have been seeing since I was a small girl. Not to mention that since moving to rural Montana I have found a few more given the amazing way the night sky looks here.

National Geographic’s Backyard Guide to the Night Sky is a fantastic entry for anyone wanting to learn more about the wonder of watching the stars and planets. Even if you just want to walk out your door on a clear night and look up with the naked eye this guide will show you how to identify the named constellations, give you a map to where they appear at the different times of year and teach you about the different stars and other things of note in each constellation.

The book also delves into other celestial objects like the planets and their moons, artificial satellites and asteroids. meteor showers, and comets. I know how much I look forward to the annual Perseid, Leonid and Geminid meteor showers. I can also attest to the excitement of seeing comets like Hale Bop and yes, I was lucky enough to see Halley’s Comet from a deserted island in the Sea of Cortez. It was HUGE!

The Backyard Guide to the Night Sky is full of information about how the constellations were chosen, why the Big Dipper is NOT a constellation but rather an asterism. (read the book. HA!) It’s part of Ursa Major constellation. You will learn about the aurora (be still my heart) and so much more.

I’ve enjoyed reading a chapter here and a chapter there in between my regular reading. If you have any interest at all in ordering the stars when you look up this book will be a perfect start.
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BooksCooksLooks | 1 other review | Mar 27, 2019 |

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