Children's Night Sky Atlas
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A gorgeous guide to the stars
REVIEW BY JAMES NEAL WEBB Put the fascinating new book, Children's Night Sky Atlas, into the hands of a budding scientist and you're liable to end up with a Junior Astronomer. Sumptuously illustrated with a passion for detail that would shame many a college textbook, this is a work that any youngster can use and enjoy for many years. The Children's Night Sky Atlas guides readers through a year in the sky above and the universe beyond. After a quick tour of our stellar neighborhood, instructions on reading star maps and an overall look at what's in the sky during each season, we're off on a monthly odyssey. Each stop familiarizes us with objects visible that month, as well as profiles of interesting phenomena both near and far. It's ironic that early astronomers never realized what a colorful universe we have. Through most telescopes, Mars is a wan red, Saturn a dull yellow and mottled Jupiter distinguished only by its great red spot. Stars are at best pale pastels. It wasn't until the advent of the camera that the true colors of deep space became apparent, and Children's Night Sky Atlas uses them in spectacular fashion. The photos, courtesy of the Hubble Space Telescope, are breathtaking. Other highlights include the clear acetate overlays which, when placed over depictions of the night sky, enable young observers to easily pick out constellations, planets and other denizens of the dark. The curiosity of children is like a seed; once it takes root, it will grow and blossom. If you give your child a copy of Children's Night Sky Atlas, you'd better be prepared to buy a telescope.
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