Introductory
overviews
Quick
and concise:
- "Early
Stargazers," chapter 1 of Hugh Thurston, Early
Astronomy (New York: Springer-Verlag, 1994),
pp. 1-44.
- Location:
History of Science Collections (QB16.T48,
non-circulating).
- Concise
introduction to constellations; the motions
of the stars, Sun, Moon and planets; eclipses;
calendars; and the basic observing instruments
used before the telescope.
- "Astronomy
with the Naked Eye," chapter 3 of Anthony F.
Aveni, Skywatchers
of Ancient Mexico (Austin: University of Texas
Press, 1980), pp. 48-132.
- Locations:
Bizzell Library, F1219.3 .A85 A9 (circulating),
and in History of Science Collections
(noncirculating).
- Covers
much the same ground as the previous source.
This chapter is widely regarded as a classic
short introduction to astronomy with the
unaided eye.
- Introductory
pages
of this Basic Celestial Phenomena website.
Kinder
and friendlier, with a little more detail:
- Chet
Raymo, 365
Starry Nights (Fireside, 1990).
- Location:
On order in the History of Science Collections.
- No
one makes it easier to feel at home beneath
the night sky than Chet Raymo. This easy
to read book presents star charts and
a 15-minute tour of the night sky for
each night of the year. Interweaves astronomical
information with literature, mythology
and history. Highly recommended. Our family
knows this book by heart, having read
it through several years in a row.
- Norman
Davidson, Sky
Phenomena: A Guide to Naked-Eye Observation of the
Stars (Lindisfarne Books, 1993).
- Location:
On order in the History of Science Collections.
- Chapters
devoted to various celestial phenomena,
including the motions of the stars and
planets, comets, seasons and the calendar.
Davidson integrates historical background,
poetry and literature with clear, accessible
explanations of the appearances of the
night sky. Mathematical concepts are gently
introduced; exercises are confined to
optional problems at the end of each chapter.
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The
Sky Tonight:
You
don't need a telescope to enjoy the night sky! Plan a
skywatch with these helpful sources:
- Popular
magazines
- StarDate.
Ideal for beginners. Sponsored by the
University of Texas; companion website
to the radio broadcast carried on many
public radio stations. Not in the OU library.
- Astronomy.
A good, intermediate-level popular magazine.
Not in the OU library.
- Mercury.
Published by The
Astronomical Society of the Pacific,
one of the leading providers of resources
for astronomy education. Highly recommended.
Full text (1990-present) is available
electronically from Academic Search Elite
(on the OU libraries catalog record, click
the Full text link).
- Sky
and Telescope. The leading journal
for serious amateurs. Available at OU
in Bizzell Library and in the Physics
library, QB 1 .S536; past issues also
available in microfilm (serial 830) and
microfiche (serial 222).
- Internet
sources
- The
Skywatcher's Diary. Printable monthly
star chart and calendar (pdf). Super easy
to use! Sponsored by the Abrams Planetarium,
Michigan State University.
- Space.com.
Skywatch information.
- The
Cosmic Mirror. Current astronomy news
by Daniel Fische.
- Instruments
(planisphere, star clock, telescope, etc.)
Undiscovered
friends will show you the universe:
- Astronomy
club meetings and star parties
- Observatory
- Planetariums
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Starting points