In the shops
The latest books, apps, software, tech and
accessories for space and astronomy fans alike
- Guide Collins Planisphere
Cost: £9.99/$15.30 From: Harper Collins
Perhaps one of the most essential pieces of kit for anyone requiring aid
for navigating the night sky, a planisphere is a necessity.
Our first test was to see if the planisphere is still readable under red
light, which is used by astronomers to preserve night vision. Taking the
planisphere outside, every detail on the map is visible, ensuring that
- whatever constellation in the Northern Hemisphere you’re looking
for – you can still use it with ease. Many budding astronomers can be
overwhelmed when first getting to grips with using a planisphere, but
with practical instructions printed on the back, we found it easy to
follow; it simply directed us to dial in the date and time at our location
by rotating the discs.
Overall we are impressed with the detail on this planisphere, along
with the high-quality material it is made from – an all-over laminate
ensures that condensation can simply be wiped off without damaging
the plastic and, of course, also ensures that the planisphere can be used
for many observing sessions to come.
- App GoSkyWatch Planetarium v. 9.1
Cost: £2.99/$3.99 From: iTunes
It's possible to get stargazing apps for free on your smartphone,
but GoSkyWatch Planetarium is an app worth shelling out for.
When fired up the sky was immediately correctly orientated, no
matter how our phone was tilted, and we weren’t restricted to a
portrait or landscape view of the night sky. The app’s graphics are
pleasing to the eye and packed with detail. Some may be put off
by GoSkyWatch only showing naked-eye stars, but we think that
the ‘sky view’ looks a lot less cluttered and confusing for those
finding their way around the night sky.
Pinching the night sky allows you to see an entire dome of stars,
as well as those below the horizon, while stretching enabled us to
zoom in to sections of interest. The icons – which offer a variety
of functions, including the option to post your observations on
social media, what the sky looked like in the past and might in the
future, as well as a red backlight to preserve your night vision – are
excellent additions to an astronomical app. - BookEinstein's Monsters
Cost:£18.99From:W.W. Norton & Company Ltd
Einstein's Monsters: The Life and Times of Black Holesby
astronomer Chris Impey chronicles the astonishing science behind
one of the universe's most exotic objects, tying in their role in
ourquesttounderstandthehistoryandfutureofthecosmos.
Given the difficulty even professional astronomers have in
wrapping their minds around black hole astrophysics, Impey
does an impressive job of relaying a complex subject to a wide
audience. In fact, he does it in such a way that the imagination is
truly captured, without resorting to 'dumbing down' the physics
that make the black hole a truly mind-bending and wondrous
member of the universe.
If you hold a qualification in astrophysics or are up to date on
the research into black holes you'll be familiar with a lot of the
book's content – if you don't, you won't regret picking it up.
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