A comprehensive handbook to the planets, stars and constellations visible from the southern hemisphere. 6 pages for each month covering January–December 2019.

This practical guide is both an easy introduction to astronomy and a useful reference for seasoned stargazers. Now includes a section on comets and a map of the moon.

Diagrams drawn for the latitude of southern Australia, but including events visible from New Zealand and South Africa.

Written and illustrated by astronomical experts, Storm Dunlop and Wil Tirion.

Content includes:

• Advice on where to start looking.

• Easy-to-use star maps for each month with descriptions of what to see.

• Positions of the moon and visible planets.

• Details of objects and events you might see in 2019.

• Diagrams of notable events visible from Australia, and some for New Zealand and South Africa.

“With 2018 Guide to the Night Sky, amateur astronomers can view the sky over the course of a year and not miss a thing. It is also a compact and comprehensive introduction to astronomy… The small and light format makes this book the ideal portable reference.”
— Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin

The ideal resource for beginning sky watchers is updated for 2019 sky activity.

For many years, Firefly Books has published Guide to the Night Sky annuals that cover events to occur the upcoming year in North America’s night sky. This year’s edition provides all of the guidance, information and data an amateur astronomer needs to view the sky over the course of the coming year and not miss a thing. It is a compact and comprehensive introduction to astronomy and the equipment needed, while sky watchers with more experience can use the book as a calendar reference for all of 2019.

Using the charts and maps and following the accessible text, sky watchers can enjoy viewing the night sky with nothing more complicated than a pair of binoculars or the naked eye. The maps are centred on latitude 40 degrees North helping backyard astronomers in the United States and Canada see how visible stars change over the year, and ensure that they catch the exciting sky events that occur. In addition to the month-by-month guides, the book includes an introduction to the planets, the moon and the sky, and comprehensive back matter. The book’s small and light format makes it the ideal portable reference for backyard viewing.

2019 Guide to the Night Sky is a fabulous introduction for new astronomers and sky watchers who don’t want to miss a thing.

Product description

Review

[Review of previous edition: ] This book provides a good introduction for new astronomers, helping them enjoy the thrill of seeing one-time sky events, follow the changes in the night sky, and learn about the Milky Way and its resident stars.–Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin (01/01/2018)

[Review of previous edition: ] This book is recommended for amateur astronomers, as well as school and public libraries.–American Reference Books Annual (03/01/2017)

About the Author

Strom Dunlop is an experienced Astronomy and meteorology author and translator. Books include Gem Weather (Collins, 2012), Meteorology Manual (Haynes, 2014), Practical Astronomy (Philip’s, 2012) and is the lead author for the bestselling annual Guide to the Night Sky (Collins). Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, the Royal Meteorological Society and a member of the International Astronomical Union.  Royal Observatory Greenwich is the historic home of British astronomy, Greenwich Mean Time and the world-famous Meridian Line. Established in the 17th century, it was from here that the great scientists of the time precisely mapped the stars to help navigate at sea.
Centuries later, the Royal Observatory continues to be closely associated with global time zones, universal time and longitude. In the footsteps of the Astronomers Royal, our modern astronomers explore the past, present and future wonders of astronomy, space and the stars, taking you on amazing journeys to explore and experience the wonders of the night sky.

More about the author

Biography

Royal Observatory Greenwich is the historic home of British astronomy, Greenwich Mean Time and the world-famous Meridian Line. Established in the 17th century, it was from here that the great scientists of the time precisely mapped the stars to help navigate at sea.

Centuries later, the Royal Observatory continues to be closely associated with global time zones, universal time and longitude. In the footsteps of the Astronomers Royal, our modern astronomers explore the past, present and future wonders of astronomy, space and the stars, taking you on amazing journeys to explore and experience the wonders of the night sky.