Ian William Ridpath is een Engelse amateurastronoom, bekend om zijn uitgebreide werk op het gebied van observatie, schrijven, redigeren en uitzenden over dit onderwerp sinds 1972. Naast zijn astronomische bezigheden staat hij bekend om zijn scepsis over UFO's en zijn interesse in astrofilatelie. Binnen astronomische kringen wordt hij het meest gewaardeerd als redacteur van de Oxford Dictionary of Astronomy en vanwege zijn bijdragen aan de klassieke Norton's Star Atlas. Zijn productieve carrière omvat het schrijven of redigeren van meer dan veertig boeken over astronomie, waarmee hij zich vestigt als een belangrijk figuur op dit gebied.
Authoritative text, crystal-clear charts and photographs, and a systematic approach make the Dorling Kindersley Handbook of Stars and Planets the most comprehensive and concise pocket guide to observing the night sky. Packed with jargon-free information, this handbook is suitable both for beginners and more experienced astronomers.
Completely revised and updated, this dictionary contains over 4,300 entries
covering all aspects of astronomy. Written by an expert team of contributors
under the editorship of Ian Ridpath, it is an accessible and invaluable
reference for students, professionals, and space enthusiasts.
"Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion — two consummate professionals in the field — have teamed up to produce an exemplary text with first-rate illustrations to inspire the beginning sky-gazer. I heartily recommend this text." — Neil English, Astronomy Now magazine A user-friendly companion for stargazers of all ages, this classic beginner's guide describes all the main sights of the night sky. The newly updated book contains a chapter for each month, describing prominent stars, constellations, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies. Readers will discover when to watch meteor showers, when eclipses will occur, and how to follow the movements of the four brightest planets (Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn). Most of the sights are visible to the naked eye, and all can be seen with binoculars or a small telescope. Sections on observing the Moon and the planets include 50 easy-to-use maps that introduce the skies of the Northern Hemisphere and a comprehensive guide to observing the Moon. "The star maps are first quality … I find them to be a pleasure to look at and use. If you have a young person or friend you would like to share your love of astronomy with, get them a pair of binoculars and this book and you'll have a stargazing friend for life." — Mike Simonsen, Slacker Astronomy
Showing you what others only tell you. Discover the history and origins of the universe and observe the stars and galaxies with over 100 star charts and profiles of all 88 constellations. Includes a month-by-month guide to highlights of the night sky. Perfect for any enthusiast this is the definitive visual guide to enjoying and appreciating astronomy.
One of a series which introduces young readers to the world around them, this book looks at the planets and stars which make up the universe. It also looks at satellites, space probes and space stations, and suggest what the future in space might be like.
Vom Urknall über die Bestimmung von Planeten bis zur neuesten Raumfahrttechnik ? ein idealer Begleiter und ein leicht zugängliches Kompendium für Einsteiger und leidenschaftliche Hobbyastronomen. Ian Ridpath, Autor, Astronomielehrer und Rundfunkmitarbeiter berichtet über die Anfänge der Astrophysik, Raumfahrt, Erforschung des Sonnensystems, den Urknall, die Entstehung von Himmelskörpern und unserer Sonnensysteme. Einzigartige Aufnahmen und fachkundige Informationen auf dem allerneuesten Forschungsstand werden dabei berücksichtigt, z. B. die Statusänderung des Pluto im August 2006.