Night Skies of Botswana: Includes local star lore

by Stephen James O'Meara

Overview

Botswana is one of the best locations in Africa to view wildlife and also – because of its relatively low levels of light pollution – the stars. This book introduces the night skies of the southern hemisphere as seen from Botswana, and describes the stars and constellations that are visible to the naked eye.

The author discusses some essential stargazer’s tools and tips before mapping the southern skies in a series of monthly star charts that feature the most prominent stars and constellations. A chapter on the solar system – its planets, asteroids, meteroids and other ‘space junk’ – presents in broad brushstrokes our corner of the visible universe. Dotted throughout the book are lively accounts of ancient African and European star lore, telling of the unfaltering connection over millennia between humans and the heavens above.

Accessible and designed for fledgling and experienced stargazers alike, Night Skies of Botswana is the perfect guide to one of southern Africa’s most beautiful and enduring natural treasures.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781775846932
Publisher:	Penguin Random House South Africa
Publication date:	10/15/2020
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.30(h) x (d)

About the Author

Stephen O’Meara is well known in the astronomy community for his remarkable skills as a visual observer. He was the first to sight Halley’s Comet on its 1985 return and also the first to determine the rotation period of the distant planet, Uranus. He has been recognised by the International Astronomical Union, which named Asteroid 3637 O’Meara in his honour. The author of several books, a regular contributor to astronomy journals, and a National Geographic-funded explorer, he also works as a photographer and videographer for National Geographic. He lives in Botswana with his wife, Deborah, where they run yoga and stargazing safaris.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. Stargazing in the southern hemisphere

2. About this book

3. Getting to know the night skies
The Milky Way
Patterns and constellations
The Stars
The Planets
The deep sky
As the Earth turns
Seasons of stars
Botswana's Basarwa star love

4. Monthly star charts
13. January
14. February
15. March
16. April
17. May
18. June
19. July
20. August
21. September
22. October
23. November
24. December
25. Our solar system
26. The Sun
27. The Moon
28. The Planets
29. The leftover debris
30. Conclusion
31. References
32. Glossary
33. Index