The entire universe in one practical, easy-to-use, easy-to-understand handbook. An essential guide for every amateur astronomer. The Astronomy Handbook , by award-winning astronomy writer Govert Schilling, is the indispensable, go-to guide to everything you ever wanted or need to know about space, including: - the stars and the constellations - planets - comets - eclipses - galaxies - black holes - exoplanets - and much more It also offers an excellent education for every amateur astronomer, including detailed and practical information on how to: - locate and track the movements of the constellations throughout the year - view the planets and the cosmos - select the best equipment to use, including telescopes and cameras - photograph objects in space Schilling provides a fascinating history of astronomy, as well as clear and accessible explanations of binary, variable, and neutron stars; black holes and gamma-ray bursts; the formation and structure of galaxies; dark matter; and extra-terrestrial life. The Astronomy Handbook is a primordial soup-to-nuts guide to the cosmos and an essential reference for every student of the universe.