Astronomy of the Milky Way: The Observer’s Guide to the Northern Sky (The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series)

This second edition of Mike Inglis's classic guide to observing the Milky Way in the Northern Hemisphere updates all of the science with new findings from the astrophysics field, as well as featuring a larger format with entirely re-drawn maps. Newly laid out for ease of use with an increased number of images in color, it updates and improves the first edition to remain the most comprehensive book on the subject. One of the wonders of the universe we live in is the Milky Way, and this book provides a wonderful tour of its highlights for amateur astronomers. Northern hemisphere observers interested in viewing our own galaxy's finest features will find herein detailed descriptions for every constellation that the Milky Way passes through, including stars, double and multiple stars, emission nebulae, planetary nebulae, dark nebulae and supernovae remnants, open and globular clusters, and galaxies. Inglis also describes the one thing that is often left out of observing guides - the amazing star clouds of the Milky Way itself. In addition to the descriptive text there are many star charts and maps, as well as the latest images made by observatories and amateur astronomers around the world and in space. This updated version offers new scientific material and an easy-to-use layout perfect for many nights of fruitful observation. CHAPTER 1: The Milky Way -- -- 1.1. How to use this book -- -- 1.2. Star Maps -- -- 1.3. A plea to the converted : the peril of light pollution -- -- CHAPTER 2: The Milky Way : July-August -- -- 2.1. Sagittarius -- -- 2.2. Serpens Cauda -- -- 2.3. Scutum -- -- 2.4. Aquila -- -- 2.5. Hercules -- -- 2.6. Sagitta -- -- 2.7. Delphinus -- -- 2.8. Vulpecula -- -- 2.9. Cygnus -- -- 2.10. Lyra -- -- 2.11. Lacerta -- CHAPTER 3: The Milky Way : September-October -- -- 3.1. Cepheus -- -- 3.2. Andromeda -- -- 3.3. Camelopardalis -- -- 3.4. Cassiopeia -- -- CHAPTER 4: The Milky Way : November-December -- -- 4.1. Perseus -- -- 4.2. Auriga -- -- 4.3. Taurus -- -- 4.4. Gemini -- -- 4.5. Orion -- -- Appendix 1. Astronomical coordinate systems -- -- Appendix 2. Magnitudes -- -- Appendix 3. Stellar classification -- -- Appendix 4. Light filters -- -- Appendix 5. Star clusters -- -- Appendix 6. Double stars -- -- Appendix 7. Star Colors -- -- Appendix 8. Books, magazines and astronomical organizations -- -- Appendix 9. The Greek Alphabet -- -- Appendix 10. Astrophotography web sites. This is the first of a two-volume set that deal with the entire Milky Way. This first volume looks at what can be seen predominantly from the Northern Skies. In addition to the descriptive text, there are many star charts and maps, as well as the latest up-to-date images made by observatories around the world and in space, as well as images taken by amateur astronomers.