Beginner's Guides of Astronomy Stargazing, Moongazing, Northern Lights, Observing our Solar System

Beginner's Guides of Astronomy is a four-book boxed collection from the astronomers of the Royal Observatory Greenwich, bringing together accessible introductions to observing the night sky. Across the set, the guides cover practical approaches to getting started, from using your eyes to choosing equipment, alongside clear explanations of what you can look for and how to plan your viewing.

The collection includes dedicated volumes on stargazing, the Moon, the Northern Lights and observing the Solar System. Readers will find topics such as telescopes, planets, stars, dark skies and celestial maps, as well as detailed Moon maps and an overview of lunar observation and exploration. The set also looks at how the Solar System has been understood, from ancient ideas to modern remote sensing, and highlights key targets for amateur astronomers including the Moon, Sun and planets.

Included titles

• Stargazing
• Moongazing
• Northern Lights
• Observing our Solar System

Key details

• Four-book collection presented as a box set
• Written by the astronomers of the Royal Observatory Greenwich
• Includes Moon maps and guidance on lunar observation and exploration
• Covers equipment for observation, including choosing a telescope
• Explores observing the Moon, Sun and planets by eye and with telescopes

Synopses

Stargazing

An introductory guide to exploring the night sky, offering advice from the ground up. It introduces telescopes, planets, stars, dark skies and celestial maps, and discusses tackling light pollution. It also covers stargazing with just your eyes and equipment suited to beginners.

Moongazing

An in-depth guide for aspiring astronomers and Moon observers, including detailed Moon maps. It covers the history of lunar observation and exploration, the Moon’s properties, and its origin and orbit. The book also looks at essential equipment, key events to watch for, choosing a telescope and capturing the Moon in sketches.

Northern Lights

An accessible guide for aspiring astronomers and experienced night sky observers focused on the Northern Lights. It covers essential equipment for observation and photography and includes photographs.

Observing our Solar System

A guide to how the Solar System came to be understood, from ancient theories of its mechanics to the modern age of remote sensing. It then looks at significant targets for amateur astronomers, including the Moon, Sun and planets, and how they can be explored by eye and with telescopes.