THE AUDUBON SOCIETY FIELD GUIDE TO THE...

THE AUDUBON SOCIETY FIELD GUIDE TO THE NIGHT SKY, by Mark R. Chartrand, illustrated by Wil Tirion (Knopf: $18.). This exceptionally thorough guide covers the mythology of the zodiac, the magnitude and type of stars in each constellation, kinds of telescopes to use for star-gazing, how weather conditions can affect viewing, etc. The text is approachable enough to interest the casual reader who takes binoculars on an occasional camping trip to the desert, but detailed enough to be useful to a serious amateur astronomer. The handsome star maps and astronomical photographs of various heavenly bodies are reproduced with exceptional clarity, and the sturdy vinyl cover can survive frequent trips in a backpack or pocket. “The Night Sky” is being released in conjunction with an equally impressive volume on “North American Weather” by David M. Ludlum.