A Guide to the Stars and Planets

The Sky at Night: How to Read the Solar System

The essential guide to the wonders of our Solar System

Dr Chris North is an academic researcher at Cardiff University’s School of Physics and Astronomy. He has worked on the Planck Satellite (launched in 2009 to map space and help explain how the universe was formed) and the Herschel Space Observatory. 
 
Dr Paul Abel is an astronomer and lecturer at The Centre for Interdisciplinary Science at the University of Leicester, specializing in the research of black holes and General Relativity. He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and an Assistant Director of the British Astronomical Association.

The Solar System – so what is it? 
 
We've all learned the basics at school but how much can you remember? Expert astronomers and co-presenters of The Sky at Night Chris North and Paul Abel take a fascinating guided tour of our Solar System and explain its wonders. 
 
They look at all the major players, including our more familiar neighbours – the Sun, the planets and their moons – the occasional visitors to our planet – asteroids, meteors and comets – as well as distant stars and what might be beyond our Solar System – Earth Mark II? 
 
Chris and Paul recount the history of how everything came about and the myths that once shaped astronomy. They explain the latest science and discoveries, and reveal how any amateur astronomer can view and interpret the Solar System.

Sir Patrick Moore

Chris North

Answers to Questions from Across the Universe

Celebrating the 55th anniversary of The Sky at Night, this book collects and answers questions sent in by viewers. With sections on the solar system, the bizarre and unexplained, space missions, and more, this is an exciting journey into space for the novice astronomer and the lifelong stargazer alike. Discover how scientists work out the gravity of planets, what the 'Great Attractor' is and the basic principles of space navigation. Learn how to start observing the sky, what event inspired Patrick Moore to take up astronomy, and just how many of his cats are named after celestial bodies. 
 
From comets to black holes and Orion to eclipses, The Sky at Night is the ultimate introduction to the wonders and mysteries of the universe.

Chris North

Books by Chris North

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