Stikky Night Skies

At first sight an unpromising-looking guide to the night sky – all in black and white and very definitely US in origin, with the Big Dipper rather than the Plough. But do persist. This is a really simple way to learn the constellations if you are prepared to follow the very specific teaching method in sequence and resist cheating by flipping forward. Page after page depicts a black night sky pierced by pinpricks of starlight, allowing you to pick out and recognise the stars. ‘Stikky Books’ promise that their ‘unique learning method’ will enable you to learn ‘6 constellations, 4 stars, a planet, a galaxy, and how to navigate at night – in one hour, guaranteed’. Better still, take on board the book’s recommendation to reinforce what you have learned by going out and practising on the real night sky. Additional information is included on star maps, dates for future eclipses, observatories and stargazing equipment, and though the information relating to clubs is for US readers only, recommended websites are international. Future titles are promised on music and nutrition, but for now I’m off to hone my newfound skills in picking out the Pleiades, Betelgeuse, Vega and Cygnus.