The Handbook of Stars and Planets is the ideal beginner's guide to the night sky! Exploring the cosmos and more has never been easier or more accessible, thanks to a highly visual introduction that explains the fundamental concepts of astronomy and provides advise on the best methods and equipment for observation, such as binoculars and telescopes. Each planet in the Solar System is described and shown in detail, with photographs acquired from space probes as well as from the ground, displaying them as they should be seen. The Royal Greenwich Observatory created over 160 star charts specifically for this book. Each of the 88 constellations has its own detailed chart, adding up to a complete sky atlas. Each constellation's text describes its history and mythology, as well as famous stars, galaxies, nebulae, and other objects. Along with the constellation profiles, there's a month-by-month guide with charts and a user-friendly written guide that highlights the highlights above your head each month.