LET'S GO STARGAZING

A guide to what young sky watchers can see in the nighttime heavens, from satellites and planets to select stars, asterisms, and constellations.

Aimed more at armchair astronomers than the outdoorsy sort, who would be better off using apps for reference on nocturnal outings (reading pages would require a night vision–destroying flashlight), this dense but appealing compendium offers both savvy general advice (pack a cellphone and a portable charger, as well as a red light torch, for outdoor expeditions) and simple instructions for locating a variety of sky objects in either the northern or southern hemisphere. With challenges like a scavenger hunt for types of celestial items interspersed, the entries feature large images of the planets or, for extrasolar sights, small maps with the significant stars connected, plus sets of finding directions, basic facts, stats, and brief versions of associated myths from Greek as well as Arabic, Chinese, and Native American (no tribe is specified) cultures. A racially diverse cast of young observers, including more than one who use a wheelchair, puts in occasional appearances among the profusion of text blocks, graphics, and astro photos. The backmatter incudes a helpful sample page for a stargazer’s logbook.

With its heavy informational load and encouraging tone, this work is sure to be a boon to would-be astronomers.