Teach yourself visually astronomy

Chapter 1: Introduction to the sky. Star names

Astronomical catalogs

Understanding magnitudes

Seeing color in the sky

Dark adaption

Averted versus direct vision

Finding your way around the sky

Apparent sizes and distances

Astronomical distances

Time in astronomy

How dark is your sky?

Party under the stars. Chapter 2: Choose the right equipment. Naked eye, binoculars, or a telescope?

Binoculars

Types of telescopes

Trip the light fantastic

Telescope mounts

Eyepieces

Filters

Other accessories. Chapter 3: View the naked-eye sky. Atmospheric effects on sunlight

Sunrise and sunset

Conjunctions

Constellations and asterisms

Auroral lights

Meteors and fireballs

Treats of the zodiac

The Milky Way. Chapter 4: Explore the winter sky. Learn the winter constellations

Discover the jewels in Taurus

Survey the wonders of Orion

View the gems in Gemini. Chapter 5: Explore the spring sky. Learn the spring constellations

View the marvels in Leo

Scan the delights in Ursa Major

Go galaxy-hunting in Virgo. Chapter 6: Explore the summer sky. Learn the summer constellations

Spy the glittering clusters in Scorpious

Encounter the Milky Way in Sagittarius

Survey bright gas clouds in Cygnus. Chapter 7: Explore the autumn sky. Learn the autumn constellations

Detect a king's fortune in Cepheus

Observe Milky Way riches in Cassiopeia

Spot a grand galaxy in Andromeda. Chapter 8: Observe the sun and moon. How to view the sun safely

See the sun's changing face

View the lunar surface

Other lunar tricks

Eclipses of the moon

Eclipses of the sun. Chapter 9: Observe the rest of the solar system. The inner planets: Mercury and Venus

Mars: The red planet

Jupiter: King of the planets

Saturn: Ringed wonder

The outer planets : Uranus and Neptune

Asteroids and dwarf planets

Comets; Relics of the solar system's birth. Chapter 10: Observe the deep sky. A universe of stars

Open star clusters

Globular star clusters

Emission nebulas

Dark and reflection nebulas

Planetary nebulas

Supernovas and their remnants

Spiral galaxies

Elliptical galaxies

Galaxy groups and clusters. Chapter 11: Record the sky. Sketch the sky

Photograph the sky.