Master the basics of practical astronomy and stargazing with this beginner's guide to the night sky. A complete introduction to observing and understanding the night sky, The Practical Astronomer will guide you from starter level to accomplished amateur astronomer. It explains and demystifies stargazing, teaching you to recognize stars and planets and explaining how they move through the sky over the course of a night and the year. Practical advice begins with observation with the naked eye, while illustrated instructions show you how to set up and use binoculars and telescopes - and how to take your own photographs. Starhopping charts guide you through the sky, using bright stars as signposts to locate harder-to-find objects. This expanded edition features a new almanac section, identifying the optimum time to look at the planets of our Solar System and events such as solar eclipses. It also includes an updated equipment section and the latest stunning images of the Universe. Accessible, inspirational, and authoritative, The Practical Astronomer will enthuse and inform anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of the night sky.