The Brightest Stars

"Fred Schaaf is one of the most experienced astronomical observers of our time. For more than two decades, his view of the sky-what will be visible, when it will be visible, and what it will look like-has encouraged tens of thousands of people to turn their eyes skyward." -David H. Levy, Science Editor, Parade magazine, discoverer of twenty-one comets, and author of Starry Night and Cosmic Discoveries "Fred Schaaf is a poet of the stars. He brings the sky into people's lives in a way that is compelling and his descriptions have all the impact of witnessing the stars on a crystal-clear dark night." -William Sheehan, coauthor of Mars: The Lure of the Red Planet and The Transits of Venus The stars have captivated artists, romantics, sages, and scientists for centuries, inspir-ing countless civilizations as symbols of humanity's highest aspirations. The very word astronomy means "ordering of the stars," and studying these stunning pieces of fire is an ideal way to begin to appreciate the limitless wonders of the sky. In this book, you'll meet the twenty-one brightest stars visible from Earth and discover their remarkable secrets. From Sirius and Alpha Centauri to Rigel and Regulus, you'll learn how to find these stars and the major constellations and discover the best ways to see them. Each star is profiled in a separate chapter, with detailed guidance on what to look for while observing it. There is fascinating information about the lore and legends connected with each star through history, as well as what the science of astronomy has to teach us about the star's physical nature based on exciting discoveries made in the last few years, including new, more accurate data on star distances, mass, and composition. Complete with star charts and valuable insights about the science and nature of stars, the major stellar types, and stellar evolution, this book will help you make the most of your stargazing explorations-whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced amateur astronomer.