This book contains so much information about the universe, such as our solar system, galaxy, etc., that is will make you much smarter after reading it. As a huge fan of the History channel's "The Universe" and the Science channel's Through the Wormhole, most of the information I read in the book was the same information repeated in those shows. The pictures in the book are stunning and it will make you look at our universe in a whole new way that you never seen before. For those who don't know a lot about our universe, this book is the perfect read for you. ( )

Very good guide for the amateur astronomer. ( )

National Audubon Society First Field Guide: Night Sky is an identification book that guides it's readers to what can be seen in the night sky throughout each season in the year. The content is well written, direct, and can be easily used by children ages 10-12. Each illustration is detailed and artistically attractive, as well as rich, clear photos of the planets. However, the organization of the book could be made much simpler. Directions on how to use the field guide is located at about a third into the book, after an explanation of astronomy and how to look at the night sky. The book can be a much easier read if the directions on how to use the field guide is placed at the beginning. Also, the lack of consistency in formatting throughout the book - font size and style changes, as well as text and image placement - can be distracting to the reader. In addition, there is no explanation as to why certain constellations are discussed in detail, whereas other constellations such as Capricorn and Aquarius are only shown once on one map. The information is not up to date, as Pluto was recently classified as a "dwarf planet." Currently, there are no updated versions of this particular field guide.

According to the National Audubon Society, their mission is to, "conserve and restore natural ecosystems , focusing on birds and other wildlife for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity." With that in mind, the reader may not see the organization as a credible author about astronomy.

Pretty cute portable book, though. ( )

Mechler, Gary. (1999). National Audubon Society first field guide. night sky. New York: Scholastic, Inc.

Mechler divides this field guide of the night sky into relatively small, easy-to-understand sections. It starts with a brief explanation of what an astronomer and astronomy are. The next section explains how to look at the sky and includes illustrations with detailed labels of the universe, the galaxies, nebulas and stars, constellations, planets (including Pluto), comets, asteroids, and meteors. It ends with an explanation of how to find things in the sky. The next section is the field guide itself. It starts with a detailed explanation of how to use the guide that includes charts and illustrations. The field guide covers the sun, the planets, comets, meteors, auroras, manmade satellites, and numerous constellations. The final section is the reference section, which includes a glossary of terms used by astronomers, a solar system table of dates for eclipses, meteor showers, etc., a list of resources students can use to find more information on astronomy, and an index. This reference section begins with an explanation of what it contains.

This field guide to the night sky is an excellent resource to help 4th-6th graders identify and name objects in the night sky, from planets, moons, and constellations to comets, meteors, and asteroids. The depth it goes into is enough to satisfy upper elementary students but not so much that it overwhelms them. The book also covers a lot of subjects, enough to cover the basics of astronomy. The many illustrations and photographs will capture students’ interest. The structure and organization of the information is clear and understandable. The illustrations are labeled and explained clearly, and each object in the night sky is labeled clearly. Not only does the book include a glossary, tables, and an index, but it also it explains how to use them. The only problem with this book is that some of its information is out of date. Pluto is listed as a planet, and the dates in the solar system table extend only to 2009. ( )