"ASTRONOMY: A Visual Guide" by Mark A. Garlick, Firefly Books, 304 pages, $27.95
Humans have been fascinated with the heavens from the beginning of their existence.
President John F. Kennedy made space exploration, specifically going to the moon, a priority in 1961. That desire to explore is no less today, in fact, it has grown by leaps and bounds.
And while only a select few have the opportunity to leave this world behind, that doesn't mean the average person can't investigate the wonders beyond the skies.
In "Astronomy: A Visual Guide," author Mark Garlick helps explorers of all ages get started by providing a visual survey of humanity's growing understanding of space.
Divided into six sections, "Astronomy" offers detailed information, photographs and illustrations in a straightforward and accessible way.
"Searching the Heavens" starts at the beginning, looking at how astronomy evolved from myth to oddity to accepted fact. Numerous timelines mark key events in that evolution.
Our home in space is the focus of "The Solar System." From the system's formation to beyond Pluto, each planet's key features and satellites are displayed with clear and concise explanations. Comets, asteroids, meteors and the moon are also highlighted.
What's beyond our solar system are "Stars, Galaxies and Celestial Light." Here, life cycles of a star, black holes, multiple types of galaxies, quasars and the evolution of galaxies are discussed.
Easy-to-read monthly sky maps, labeled constellations and pictographs on choosing and using the right viewing equipment make "The Night Sky" section both family-friendly and fun.
Scientists' understanding of the universe today and a fact file full of distances, measurements and important dates round out this all-in-one reference to the heavens.
With an interesting mix of content, graphics and photography, "Astronomy" is an easy-to-use illustrated reference for amateurs of all levels. Garlick offers a trove of information that is manageable and is sure to inspire young and old.
"Astronomy's" only drawback is that the black pages inside absorb oils from the skin, making faded fingerprints a permanent addition. But despite this small inconvenience, at less than $30, "Astronomy" is the perfect family gift.
E-mail: jharrison@desnews.com