Abstract
THE black-out during the War has increased the interest in naked-eye astronomy, and many people who previously gave little or no attention to the subject are now finding how fascinating the study of the heavens can be. Dr. Waterfield's work is primarily for naked-eye observers, and the explanations which are given about the movements of the heavenly bodies, their distribution on the celestial sphere, their relation to one another, etc., will be of immense advantage to the amateur who is so often puzzled to account for many celestial phenomena. A great part of the book is devoted to the solar system, and one chapter deals with the stars and nebulae, including double stars, variables, novae, the galaxy and other galactic systems. It seems incongruous to separate the last chapter, “Shooting Stars and Comets”, from the other portion of the work which deals with the solar system, as meteors and comets are, of course, solar system bodies. The explanations with the aid of numerous diagrams are very clear, and the book should arouse keener interest in the study of the heavenly bodies.
The Revolving Heavens
Astronomy for Observers with the Naked Eye. By Reginald L. Waterfield. Pp. 206. (London : Gerald Duckworth and Co., Ltd., 1942.) 8s. 6d. net.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
D., M. The Revolving Heavens. Nature 151, 265 (1943). https://doi.org/10.1038/151265a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/151265a0