Astronomy: A Visual Guide

HB

Ian Ridpath (consultant editor) DK £20

Astronomy. It’s hard to know where to start, but most guides go one of two ways: either with stargazing, or with the birth of astronomy in the Middle East around 2,500 BC. Prolific astronomy writer Ian Ridpath opts for the latter approach but doesn’t completely forget about the stargazing side of things. I can imagine that for anyone starting out in astronomy the prospect of having to learn about the work of Nicolaus Copernicus, Tycho Brahe and Galileo Galilei would be as daunting as a sky full of unknown stars, but Ridpath’s writing is sharp, succinct and constantly engaging. It’s also brilliantly illustrated. In structure and layout the book is similar to an atlas of world history: there are images, illustrations and plenty of excellent diagrams, all presented in a high quality, hardback slip cover. It would make a great Christmas present.

The usual topics (in chapters such as ‘The Big Bang’, ‘The Moon’ and ‘Starting Observing’) are all given a double-page spread, sometimes two. After the history section is an impressive treatment of the Universe, while the section entitled ‘The Night Sky’ delves into observing. If I have a criticism, it’s that ‘The Night Sky’ section rushes into the need for equipment right from the off, and fills up the latter third of the book with month-by-month star charts and almanac information. Some of that seems rather old-fashioned in this era of smartphone apps.

Indeed, so too would the very concept of a reference book, if it weren’t for exquisite production qualities and writing. Together, they lend this colourful encyclopaedic effort a thoroughly accessible feel.

JAMIE CARTER is the author of A Stargazing Program For Beginners: A Pocket Field Guide