National Geographic Pocket Guide to the Night Sky of North America by Catherine Herbert Howell
$14.95
In stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
A pocket-sized reference guide to the night sky of North America from National Geographic. 180 pages covering 147 topics, from constellation charts and moon phases to exoplanets and meteor showers, all in a format that fits a jacket pocket or park bag.
- 180 pages, paperback, 4-1/4″ x 7-1/4″ x 3/8″, 7.4 oz
- 147 featured topics with color photographs, illustrations, and sky charts
- Covers naked-eye observation from the Big Dipper to auroras, eclipses, and meteor showers
- Ninth in the National Geographic Pocket Guide series (consistent format with Birds, Mammals, and other titles BHPFA carries)
- By Catherine Herbert Howell, a former National Geographic staff writer
- Proceeds support education, conservation, and visitor services at BHPFA partner parks and forests.
In stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
National Geographic Pocket Guide to the Night Sky of North America by Catherine Herbert Howell
$14.95
In stock
Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:Â Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.
A pocket-sized reference guide to the night sky of North America from National Geographic. 180 pages covering 147 topics, from constellation charts and moon phases to exoplanets and meteor showers, all in a format that fits a jacket pocket or park bag.
- 180 pages, paperback, 4-1/4″ x 7-1/4″ x 3/8″, 7.4 oz
- 147 featured topics with color photographs, illustrations, and sky charts
- Covers naked-eye observation from the Big Dipper to auroras, eclipses, and meteor showers
- Ninth in the National Geographic Pocket Guide series (consistent format with Birds, Mammals, and other titles BHPFA carries)
- By Catherine Herbert Howell, a former National Geographic staff writer
- Proceeds support education, conservation, and visitor services at BHPFA partner parks and forests.
In stock
60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.
Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.
Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.
Description
About this guide
The National Geographic Pocket Guide to the Night Sky of North America is a compact astronomy reference written by Catherine Herbert Howell, a former National Geographic staff member who has written more than a dozen natural history books. Published March 2017, it is the ninth title in National Geographic’s Pocket Guide series, which follows the same compact format across birds, mammals, reptiles, wildflowers, trees and shrubs, and rocks and minerals. If you’ve used any of those guides, this one works the same way: organized for quick reference, loaded with photographs and graphics, and sized to fit in a jacket pocket or daypack.
The guide covers 147 topics in astronomy, each with a photograph, illustration, or explanatory graphic. Topics range from familiar backyard objects (the Big Dipper, North Star, moon phases) to more advanced subjects (exoplanets, the Big Bang, satellites and spacecraft, the structure of galaxies). The constellation and sky charts are designed for naked-eye observation, no telescope required.
The Black Hills is a good place to use this book. The Black Hills National Forest has a Bortle Class 1 sky rating, one of the darkest skies in the region. Wind Cave National Park, one of BHPFA’s partner sites, offers summer dark sky programs including Lakota Star Knowledge hikes, New Moon constellation hikes, and ranger-led telescope viewing. The park is also in the process of seeking International Dark Sky Park designation from the International Dark Sky Association. On a clear night in the Hills, this guide will have you identifying more than you expected.
What’s inside
The 180-page guide includes:
- 147 featured topics, each with a photograph or explanatory illustration
- Sky charts and constellation maps for naked-eye identification
- Coverage of the solar system: sun, moon, planets, and their moons
- Distant objects: galaxies, nebulae, exoplanets, and deep space
- Events: meteor showers, eclipses, auroras, and satellites
- Concepts: the Big Bang, light years, spacecraft and missions
- Practical observing tips throughout, written for beginners and casual stargazers
Specifications
- Pages: 180
- Dimensions: 4-1/4″ x 7-1/4″ x 3/8″
- Weight: 7.4 oz
- Binding: Paperback
- Publisher: National Geographic
- Author: Catherine Herbert Howell
- ISBN-13: 978-1-4262-1785-2
- Published: March 2017
- Series: National Geographic Pocket Guide, ninth title
Who is this for?
First-time visitors to the Black Hills who plan to spend time outside after dark. Wind Cave’s prairie setting, away from town lights, is one of the better spots in South Dakota for naked-eye stargazing. A 180-page pocket guide bought at the visitor center bookstore and used that same evening is exactly the use case this book was designed for.
Hikers and campers who want to identify what they’re seeing without bringing a star atlas. At 7.4 oz, this guide adds almost nothing to a pack. The sky charts are practical and clear enough to use in the field with a red headlamp.
A gift for someone who’s expressed interest in astronomy but hasn’t committed to a full telescope setup or a heavier reference. It’s a low-stakes entry point to the subject, and the NatGeo Pocket Guide format is well regarded by outdoor educators and park naturalists.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a telescope to use this guide?
No. The guide focuses on naked-eye observation. The sky charts and constellation figures are designed to be used without any equipment. Binoculars will help with some topics (moon craters, star clusters), but the book does not assume you have them.
Is this guide specific to any region of North America?
The title says “North America,” and the sky charts are calibrated for North American latitudes. The guide covers the night sky as seen from the contiguous US, Canada, and neighboring regions. Visitors to the Black Hills, Great Plains, or anywhere in the region will find the charts accurate for their location.
How does this compare to the NatGeo Backyard Guide to the Night Sky?
The Backyard Guide (by Andrew Fazekas) is a longer, more comprehensive astronomy book at 288 pages. This Pocket Guide is shorter, lighter, and more broadly organized. If you want a month-by-month sky calendar with deep-dives on equipment, the Backyard Guide is the better choice. If you want something to grab before a late evening hike at Wind Cave, this pocket guide is more practical.
Is this a good guide for kids?
The text is written for adults and older teens. Younger children would do better with a My First Pocket Guide or a simpler NatGeo kids title. That said, the photography and graphics in this guide are clear and engaging enough that motivated younger readers will get a lot from it.
Does buying this support the parks?
Yes. BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as the Black Hills National Forest and Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands. Proceeds from every purchase support education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at these sites.
Does Wind Cave have any stargazing programs I can pair with this guide?
Yes. Wind Cave National Park offers several dark sky programs during summer months, including Lakota Star Knowledge hikes, New Moon and constellation hikes on the Elk Mountain trail, Full Moon hikes, and ranger-led telescope viewing sessions. Wind Cave is in the process of seeking International Dark Sky Park designation. Check the park’s program schedule at nps.gov/wica when planning your visit.
Are there other guides in this series at BHPFA?
Yes. BHPFA carries six titles in the National Geographic Pocket Guide series. See the list below.
Other titles in the National Geographic Pocket Guide series at BHPFA
- National Geographic Pocket Guide to the Birds of North America
- National Geographic Pocket Guide to the Mammals of North America
- National Geographic Pocket Guide to Rocks and Minerals of North America
- National Geographic Pocket Guide to Wildflowers of North America
- National Geographic Pocket Guide to Trees and Shrubs of North America
Every Purchase Makes a Difference
When you shop with Black Hills Parks & Forests Association, you are directly funding:
- Education programs — nature workshops, Junior Ranger activities, and homeschool adventures for kids across the Black Hills
- Trail maintenance — keeping hiking trails safe and accessible at Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, and the Black Hills National Forest
- Visitor services — park store operations, interpretive programs, and the staff who help millions of visitors each year
- Conservation — supporting the long-term health of public lands in the Black Hills and Nebraska
BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service in the Black Hills region. We have supported these public lands since 1946.
Additional information
| Weight | 8 oz |
|---|---|
| Brand | National Geographic |
| Pages | 180 |
| Binding | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781426217852 |
| Publisher / Manufacturer | National Geographic |
| Year Published | 2017 |
| Dimensions | 4-1/4" x 7-1/4" x 3/8" |
| Weight | 7.4 oz |
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