Astronomy for Beginners

Each year as Earth cruises through space a number of amazing and remarkable events occur. For example, like clockwork, we’ll run head-on into asteroid and cometary debris that spreads shooting stars across our skies. On occasion we’ll get to watch the disk of the Moon passing the Sun, casting its shadow upon the face of the Earth, and sometimes we’ll get to watch our own shadow as it glides across the face of the Moon. The Sun’s path will constantly change across the daytime sky, as will the stars and constellations at night. During this time, we’ll also get to watch the other majestic planets in our solar system wander the skies, as they, too, circle the Sun in this elaborate celestial dance.
Astronomy explains the patterns of the heavens, the equinoxes and the solstices, the major meteor showers, and the solar and lunar eclipses. It’s a guided tour of the solar system and beyond and explains how the way we measure time itself is intimately related to celestial phenomena. Astronomy not only helps readers become experts in space and time, it’s also a fun ride!

Jeff Becan loves his family, his friends and his life on planet Earth. While living here, he has learned how to sail, how to juggle, and how to mentally surf. He has done volunteer work for the poor in Mexico, has counseled patients at a psychiatric institute, has done production work for theater, television and film, and has also worked as a travel writer. For three years he managed a hostel on a faraway island in the north Atlantic. He once climbed a mountain, escaped a bizarre mind-control cult, and has fallen into the river Seine. He holds degrees in sociology and linguistics.