Exploring the Sky by Day: The Equinox Guide to Weather and the Atmosphere

by Terence Dickinson, John Bianchi (Illustrator)

Overview

Winner of the Children's Roundtable Literature Information Book Award.

Ideal for inquisitive children and adults alike, astronomer Terence Dickinson's classic guide Exploring the Sky by Day offers fascinating insight into clouds, weather and other phenomena we witness in the sky. The book first introduces the reader to the atmosphere and the 10 types of clouds, and then answers nearly every question a young reader might have about the sky and weather:

• How fast do raindrops travel?
• What causes a rainbow?
• What causes lightning?
• Why is the sky blue?
• Why are tornadoes so destructive?
• And many, many more!

The book also covers less common sky phenomena, such as sundogs, haloes and auroras, and discusses more general topics like climate zones, seasons and weather forecasting. Brought to life with dozens of photographs and the color illustrations of John Bianchi, Exploring the Sky by Day provides an excellent introduction to weather and the atmosphere.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780228104308
Publisher:	Firefly Books, Limited
Publication date:	06/13/2023
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	72
Product dimensions:	8.25(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.19(d)
Age Range:	10 - 17 Years

About the Author

Terence Dickinson, one of Canada's best-loved amateur-astronomy writers, gained renown for unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos. His down-to-earth style made him the award-winning best-selling author of 14 astronomy books, including NightWatch, The Backyard Astronomer's Guide, The Universe and Beyond and Hubble's Universe. The cofounder and former editor of SkyNews, Canada's national astronomy magazine, Dickinson was a recipient of the Order of Canada and two honorary doctorates. He died of complications from Parkinson's on February 1, 2023.

Read an Excerpt

Introduction:

The sky is a constant reminder of both the power and the beauty of nature. The atmosphere that surrounds Earth is a complex weather machine -- fascinating to watch and, occasionally, a brutal experience to suffer.

While we have the technology to observe storms and to predict the weather, we cannot control it. Even in our advanced scientific age, tornadoes still kill more than 100 people a year in North America, and when a hurricane blows in off the Atlantic Ocean, we are powerless to prevent it from destroying homes and flooding towns. A blizzard can still shut down a city for days at a time, just as it did 50 years ago. And long droughts can destroy an entire nation's economy, leading to starvation for tens of thousands of people who can only wait helplessly for rain.

But the sky is more than just a place where disaster brews. It is an important part of our environment that can be studies and enjoyed as much as forests and fields and oceans. The day sky is our window on the weather and even on space, where the sun is millions of times more distant than the outer edge of the Earth's atmosphere. Our atmosphere shields us from the sun's harmful rays, acts as a buffer from the lifeless vacuum of space and, at the same time, gives us the colors of the sky.

Weather of all kinds can be observed by everyone without any special equipment. We can watch storms approaching and appreciate why changes in weather occur. We can classify clouds and interpret their meaning. We can understand rainbows and measure the distance to lightning bolts.

The sky is alive, changing constantly, often before our eyes. All we need do is look up to enjoy the glory of one of nature's most fascinating and accessible phenomena.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. The Atmosphere
2. Formation of Clouds
3. Types of Clouds
4. Cumulus Clouds
5. Stratus Clouds
6. Cirrus Clouds
7. Unusual Clouds
8. Types of Precipitation
9. Rain Formation
10. The Beauty of Rainbows
11. Snow and Snowstorms
12. Thunderstorms and Lightning
13. Air Currents
14. Weather Lore
15. Sky Color
16. Haze and Humidity
17. Fog, Mist and Smog
18. Dew and Frost
19. Climate Zones
20. Haloes, Pillars and Sundogs
21. Airplane Window View
22. Sunset and Sun Shape
23. Earth Motions
24. Aurora Borealis
25. Moon Phases
26. Horizon Illusions
27. Hurricanes and Hail
28. Tornadoes and Waterspouts
29. Weather Forecasting

Credits
Further Reading
Index