Every Night Astronomy: From Ancient Calendars to Harvest Moons

Every night the sky presents us with a show that is not only free but also offers a truly amazing spectacle. The stars, the planets, our moon and sun, are the leading characters in this show, constantly changing their appearance. Some stars keep us company only on certain nights of the year whereas others are visible every single evening. The moon sometimes appears as a slender crescent, other times as a great illuminated ball and sometimes even blood red. The sun can rise high above the horizon or in some parts of the world, not appear for days. Aesthetically, the show looks great and no one can help but admire its beauty. However, there is one problem faced by a large proportion of the audience. The scenario upon which the show is based is sometimes difficult to follow.
Nagging questions persist such as the following. Does the sun always rise exactly in the east? What are harvest moons and when do they appear? What is the relationship between the apparent path of the sun and the zodiac signs? Can we predict when the next solar eclipse will occur? What is the difference between a star that appears orange and one that appears blue? When we stargaze are we really looking into the past?
Since the study of the celestial bodies has influenced several aspects of human civilisation, the nature of the questions can be extended further. Why, for example, did the ancient Egyptians worship the bright star Sirius and how is the star connected to the phrase “dog days”? What stars did ancient armies use for testing their soldiers’ eyesight? Which is the most accurate calendar in use? What connection could Christmas have with the winter solstice? How is Ramadan connected to the appearance of the moon? What is the Age of Aquarius and when will we enter it? Could the outcome of a battle be determined by the relative positions of the moon and sun? What is the Antikythera mechanism and could it really predict eclipses? How is astronomy connected to the famous painter Vincent van Gogh?
This book provides the answers to these and a number of other similar questions. In a simple and concise manner, without the use of equations or complicated mathematics, it attempts to demystify the celestial show making it even more enjoyable. At the same time, numerous ways in which the observation of the sky has affected human civilisation are also presented. It is the aim of the book to break away from the limitations of a simple introduction to astronomy and to discuss issues that will interest the average reader but that are not always covered in science books. In this sense it will provide a useful tool for amateur astronomers, science teachers wishing to inspire pupils, and, above all, for all of those wishing to obtain a better understanding of what is happening around them.
Half of the author's net profits will be donated to Astronomers Without Borders.