Learn to find your way around the stars in an evening sky. This book began as a way for parents to introduce astronomy to their children in an entertaining and memorable way. It is also enjoyable for youngsters who like to read and adults with a casual interest in astronomy. This is not a textbook, but a storybook with pictures, maps, and clues. New star pictures make constellations easier to find. You will soon be able to locate several constellations for each season of the year, and twenty-six in all. With a little practice, you'll learn the names and locations for twenty of the brightest stars, and learn a game to play with your friends as the stars begin to appear in the evening. You'll even discover some exotic astronomical objects like star clusters and nebulae. Simple maps are included to help you locate some of these wonders with binoculars, if you have them.Short stories, borrowed from classical Greek myths and histories, add a friendly element to an evening of star-gazing. Each story has several characters corresponding to the star pictures you're likely to find at a given time of year. Finally, a few "gee-whiz" facts are sprinkled through the chapters so you can impress your friends with your new knowledge of astronomy.
About the Author: Rob Drew's interest in astronomy began at age 7 with a book given him by his uncle. Nurtured with visits to the Griffith Observatory and Planetarium in Los Angeles, California, and the Boy Scout merit badge program, he eventually studied physics and astronomy at Caltech in Pasadena. Although familiar with the details of technical astronomy, his main enjoyment remains star gazing and storytelling under a clear evening sky. His first attempts to point out constellations to his children fell short of success because, except for the Big Dipper, most constellations don't really look like they are supposed to. This led Rob to develop the system of star pictures and stories presented in this book. He has since taught classes and led star parties introducing students, friends, and neighbors to Cassia's crown, Perseus' shield, and the Eyes of the Dragon. Most recently Rob has entertained nighttime visitors to Oakland's Chabot Space and Science Center by helping them locate favorite constellations and telling their stories.