Astronomy

Over the past 200 years, our knowledge of stars has expanded enormously. From seeing myriad dots of different brightnesses, we moved on to measure distances, temperatures, sizes, chemical compositions, even ages, finding stars that dwarf our Sun and are dwarfed by it, some in their youth, others ancient. First published in 20... read more

The extreme events that we hear about daily - hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions - are extreme in purely human terms, in the devastation they do. But this book moves our understanding of the extreme into extraterrestrial dimensions and gives us an awe-inspiring sense of what our solar system at its utmo... read more

A Walk through the Southern Sky is a beautifully illustrated guide to the stars and constellations of the southern hemisphere. By following the simplified and easy-to-use starmaps, readers will be able to identify constellations with no equipment but normal sight and a clear night sky. This book provides clear instructions on... read more

An introduction to prominent stars and constellations in the southern night sky in the form of a handy fold-out laminated card. Clear illustrations and a handy glow-in-the-dark feature makes the star charts simple and practical to use. Designed to be used as a star-finder, the charts highlight only the most prominent constell... read more

A planisphere is a hand held aid used to identify which stars and constellations are visible. It's easy to use. Just turn the disc so the date lines up with the current time and it shows you what the sky looks like now! This special double-sided design makes it easier to relate to what you see in the sky, giving a less distor... read more

This is the definitive illustrated book on Hubble - the most successful telescope ever constructed, which changed the face of space and reveals the most provocative and unprecedented new images of the universe, gathered by Hubble over its nearly 20-year lifetime.

This practical hour-by-hour tracker of the stars and constellations is an essential travel accessory for astronomy enthusiasts visiting Australia, New Zealand, South Africa or southern South America. Turn the oval panel to the required date and time to reveal the whole sky visible from your location.

When you look up at the stars in the night sky it can be easy to think of them as lights glowing on a large dark ceiling. Can you identify the brightest stars and planets? Do you know which constellations are visible right now, and what their stories are? New Zealand's Night Sky by the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium g... read more

Both novice and advanced skywatchers will value this comprehensive and easy-to-use guide to the brilliant and ever-changing sights of the southern sky by night. Readers are introduced to the many and varied objects in the sky and their movements and changing appearances, as well as the ancient myths and legends entwined aroun... read more

A lightweight pocket size guide to the stars of Aotearoa for travellers & backpackers. Fourth edition now in full colour and includes chapter about Matariki.

This is a lavishly illustrated volume celebrating 400 years since Galileo first used the telescope to gaze at the heavens. It is written by an internationally renowned BBC science correspondent. It is beautifully written, gorgeously packaged and eminently knowledgeable. This is a smart alternative to dry, academic studies of ... read more

This classic star atlas is ideal for both beginning astronomers and more experienced observers worldwide. The clear, full-color maps show stars, clusters and galaxies visible with binoculars or a small telescope. The atlas also features constellation boundaries and the Milky Way, and lists objects that are interesting to obse... read more

From the author of the bestselling Solar System iPad app, a glorious full-colour guide to our planetary neighbours from one of the world's top science writers.
In this title, bestselling author Marcus Chown leads us on a grand tour through the incredible diversity of planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and spacecraft t... read more

Soon astronomers expect to find alien Earths by the dozens in orbit around distant suns. Before the decade is out, telltale signs that they harbor life may be found. If they are, the ramifications for all areas of human thought and endeavor - from religion and philosophy to art and biology - will be breathtaking. In "Stra... read more

An introductory guide to navigating your way around the night sky and identifying what you can see on any given night. Designed as a comprehensive introduction for the beginner and those who want to find out more, Collins Night Sky covers everything that can be seen with the naked eye and binoculars, as well as what is visib... read more

Patrick Moore introduces the stars and the night sky to complete beginners and children in this brand new, highly illustrated guide. Using simple terms, he brings the mysteries of the sky to a new audience. 'Are you interested in the stars? If so, I will try and help you make a start. Look up in the daytime, when there are no... read more

This is an out-of-this world journey across the universe. From the fiery mass of the Sun's core to the black hole at the centre of the Milky Way, "Universe" takes you on the ultimate guided tour of the cosmos. Full of stunning out-of-this world images reflecting recent advances in space imagery, you'll go on a journey from ou... read more

Written by a well-known and experienced amateur astronomer, this is a practical primer for all aspiring observers of the planets and other Solar System objects. Whether you are a beginner or more advanced astronomer, you will find all you need in this book to help develop your knowledge and skills and move on to the next leve... read more

Ideal for children and adults alike, Hubble: The Print Collection showcases some of the most beautiful and dramatic pictures taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. These cosmic images reveal galaxies, nebulae and planets from our Solar System in spectacular detail. Every picture is presented in a large poster which is accompani... read more

The zodiac was first clearly defined by the Babylonians some 2500 years ago, but until recently the basis of this original definition remained unknown. This zodiac of the Babylonians, known as the sidereal zodiac because it is specified in direct relation to the stars (Latin sideris, 'starry'), was used for centuries througho... read more