Member Reviews

I like to thank netgalley and Pan and Sword for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

It looks fairly easy to follow, with lots of extra information.

Was this review helpful?

Received this book for an honest review on NetGalley. I’m so glad this has continued on into 2018. It is such a great resource, and has such great material even for an amateur astronomer. This will inspire you to step outside and look up on a clear night.

Just a workhorse our yearbook.

Was this review helpful?

If you are an astronomy lover, then this is definitely the book for you. In addition to describing all the astrological events that will take place this year, this book includes pictures and diagrams to help readers better the chapters subject matter. In truth, this reads better than any textbook, I ever had for my college Astronomy class. The sky charts, and other plots for the lunar cycle, eclipses, comets, etc., this is truly like an encyclopedia for astronomical matters. Even though the dates are specific for this year as far as when to see what, I wonder if the authors would be interested in creating a basic companion novel similar to be used in Astronomy classes.

Was this review helpful?

It was great to read about the astronomy .........wonderful book.

Was this review helpful?

A useful book for anyone who loves to look at the stars. Month by month information on what to look for in the night sky, including the moon phases and visible planets. There are sections on meteor showers, comets, pioneers and black holes and plenty more. Also included are the requisite star maps that any astronomy book would never be without, and some beautiful pictures.

Was this review helpful?

After the death of Sir Patrick Moore in 2012, The Yearbook of Astronomy was in danger of ceasing publication. It had been published annually for more than 50 years and was saved by the timely intervention of dedicated astronomers and laypeople who were invested in securing publication going forward.


Happily, Pen and Sword, a UK publisher, along with Brian Jones and Richard Pearson, FRAS, have picked up the mantle to carry this worthy yearly resource forward into the future to inspire and educate astronomy fans worldwide.


The book is a workhorse. It's built on a no-nonsense, useful, and familiar format. A forward and introduction are followed by recommendations for using and getting the most out of the book. The following star charts, which comprise roughly 15% of the content, are split into northern and southern hemisphere charts.


After the charts, there's a short section with dates and data for moon phases and eclipse info and best viewing areas.


The bulk of the yearbook (as in previous years) is taken up by the monthly sky notes and articles. I really love that the 'meat' of these yearbooks are accessible and interesting to a broad range of users, from amateurs to academics. It's a very inclusive, well (and entertainingly) written guide for everyone.


Following the monthly sky notes are the articles whose author list reads like a who's who from Astronomy, Popular Astronomy, Astronomy FM, etc etc. Contributors include Neil Haggath, Mike Frost, John McCue, Rod Hine, Damian Peach (with whose gorgeous photography many readers will be familiar even if they don't know that they know his work), and many others.


Practical, well written, inclusive and classic, it's a worthy successor to a long line of Astronomy Yearbooks.


Personal confession. Some of my best memories are going out (with a homemade redlight) with my dad to look up at the stars. He gave me a lifelong love of and joy in learning and an appreciation for physics and astronomy particularly. I'm overjoyed that my dad lived long enough to know that my daughter, his granddaughter has gone on to study astrophysics and pursue a career as an astrophysicist.
I'm very happy and thankful that Pen and Sword picked up the publication for the Astronomy Yearbook and continue to offer it to enthusiasts worldwide.


I would encourage everyone to get outside and look up at our beautiful amazing night sky.


Five stars, plus nostalgia value

Was this review helpful?

If you love astronomy like I do and are unfamiliar with this book, you are going to wonder why you never knew it existed. My father first introduced me to it when I was a child, happy in our backyard with my telescope and gazing in wonder at the stars and planets. There is so much worthwhile information in this book and I particularly love the northern and southern hemisphere charts. I travel as often as possible and know that no matter where I go if I can get to a place away from city lights, I will be able to figure out what the night sky is showing me. This is a book that you will use every month of the year and the information on moon phases, planet locations and what comets might be seen by an amateur viewer are excellent. Just a must-have resource and one that I hope continues to be published every year. If you have any interest in the night sky, you will want this book.
Thank you, Brian Jones, Richard Pearson, Pen & Sword and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. A professional astronomer would enjoy this book as much as an amateur.

Was this review helpful?

Perfect for the inquiring mind, this book has every question about astronomical events that will happen in 2018. It was fun to see the moon phases on a calendar. If you plan on doing night sky photography, I cannot recommend this book enough.

Was this review helpful?

A fantastic reference book for any astronomer, amateur or professional.

Was this review helpful?