Yearbook of Astronomy 2018

by Brian Jones, Richard S Pearson FRAS

Overview

The YEARBOOK OF ASTRONOMY 2018 is a book no stargazer should be without.

Recognized by both amateurs and professionals alike as an indispensable guide to the night sky, the Yearbook of Astronomy is one of the longest-running series of books on astronomy and the night sky and one of the only reference books to be fully revised each year. Formerly edited by Patrick Moore, this iconic publication first appeared way back in 1962 (well over half-a-century ago) and continues to be, as it was then, the main popular astronomy annual for amateur astronomers.

Forthcoming editions will endeavor to maintain the popular style and familiarity of previous editions as well as offering its readers a new, invigorating and inspirational layout and presentation. The 2018 edition contains authoritative sky charts and detailed monthly sky notes that plot a clear path though the year’s lunar phases, eclipses, comets, meteor showers and minor planets as well as featuring a variety of articles covering a wide range of astronomy-related topics.

Articles for the 2018 edition include: Solar System Exploration in 2017 by Peter Rea; Astronomy in 2017 by Rod Hine; Anniversaries in 2018 by Neil Haggath; Supermassive Black Holes by David M Harland; Comets and How to Photograph Them by Damian Peach; Some Pioneering Lady Astronomers by Mike Frost; Double and Multiple Stars by John McCue; Modern Video Astronomy by Steve Wainwright; Is There Still a Place for Art in Astronomy? by David A Hardy; and much more. Bursting with up-to-the-minute information, this Yearbook of Astronomy 2018 is, as ever, essential reading for anyone fascinated by the night sky . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526717412
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	01/23/2018
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Brian Jones hails from Bradford in the West Riding of Yorkshire and was a founder member of the Bradford Astronomical Society. He developed a fascination for astronomy at the age of five when he first saw the stars through a pair of binoculars, and his interest took him into the realms of writing sky guides for local newspapers, appearing on local radio and television, teaching astronomy and space in schools and, in 1985, to become a full time astronomy and space writer. He has penned 17 books to date which have covered a range of astronomy and space-related topics for both children and adults. His passion for bringing an appreciation of the universe to his readers is reflected in his writing.

Richard Pearson, FRAS, FRGS was born and raised in Nottingham and has worked on local newspapers as a journalist for over 20 years. A member of the British Astronomical Association and a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, he has written several books on astronomy and is the presenter of the monthly internet TV program Astronomy & Space, now in its fourth year, and is a celebrity among members of astronomical societies worldwide. As an astronomy educator, Richard is excited to be involved with the Yearbook of Astronomy, an indispensable book which made its first appearance way back in 1962 and which continues to be the main popular astronomy annual for all amateur astronomers.

Table of Contents

Editors' Foreword 7

Preface 12

About Time 13

Using the Yearbook of Astronomy as an Observing Guide 15

The Monthly Star Charts

Northern Hemisphere Star Charts 25

Southern Hemisphere Star Charts 51

Phases of the Moon in 2018 76

Eclipses in 2018 77

Monthly Sky Notes and Articles 2018

January 81

The Double Blue Moon of 2018 David Harper 83

February 86

The James Webb Space Telescope Richard Pearson 87

March 91

A Closer Look at Antlia and Pyxis Brian Jones 93

April 95

Fate or Destiny Richard Pearson 96

May 101

The Royal Greenwich Observatory Richard Pearson 102

June 107

A Closer Look at Corona Borealis Brian Jones 109

July 112

Mars at Opposition Richard Pearson 114

August 117

Life on the Moon Richard Pearson 118

September 122

A Closer Look at Sculptor Brian Jones 124

October 126

Mission to Mercury: BepiColombo Richard Pearson 127

November 131

Edmond Halley: A Question of Pronunciation Brian Jones 132

December 136

Gaia and the Distances of the Stars Richard Pearson 137

Comets in 2018 Neil Norman 142

Minor Planets in 2018 Neil Norman 148

Meteor Showers in 2018 Neil Norman 153

Article Section

Astronomy in 2017 Rod Hine 161

Solar System Exploration in 2017 Peter Rea 172

Anniversaries in 2018 Neil Haggath 184

Comets and How to Photograph Them Damian Peach 191

Double and Multiple Stars John McCue 200

Some Pioneering Lady Astronomers Mike Frost 209

Is There Still a Place for Art in Astronomy? David A Hardy 216

Supermassive Black Holes David M Harland 230

Modern Video Astronomy Steve Wainwright 250

Miscellaneous

Some Interesting Variable Stars Roger Pickard 267

Some Interesting Double Stars Brian Jones 274

Some Interesting Nebulae, Star Clusters and Galaxies Brian Jones 277

Astronomical Organizations 279

Our Contributors 284

Glossary Brian Jones 289

Editorial Reviews

04/15/2018
This annual publication, revised each year, is widely recognized by active and casual sky observers as an indispensable guide to the stars. With the 2018 edition, Jones (founding member, Bradford Astronomical Society) and Pearson, who has written several books on astronomy and hosts the monthly YouTube program Astronomy & Space, offer authoritative, detailed sky charts and notes that plot a clear path through the year's astronomical activity. The first section is dedicated to the monthly star charts, which feature short articles showing the night sky throughout the year. The remaining content focuses on academic material on astronomy and space-related topics by experts in their field. This book provides a useful overview of basic concepts for amateur astronomers but also offers a welcome refresher for more seasoned stargazers. It ends with a glossary and well-curated selection of astronomy organizations and associations across the world. VERDICT An essential reference resource for anyone interested in astronomy.—Gary Medina, El Camino Coll., Torrance, CA

Library Journal